Classic Cuban-Style Picadillo

4.6
(176)

This is a classic Cuban picadillo recipe for ground beef that is typically eaten over white rice. It can also be used as a filling for tacos or empanadas. It's delicious with fried ripe plantains.

Looking down at a bowl of Cuban style picadillo.
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Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
30 mins
Servings:
4
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 1 small onion, chopped

  • ½ green bell pepper, chopped

  • 1 clove garlic, minced, or more to taste

  • 1 pound lean ground beef

  • 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce

  • 6 large pitted green olives, quartered

  • ½ cup raisins

  • 1 tablespoon capers (Optional)

  • 2 (1.41 ounce) packages sazon seasoning (such as Goya®)

  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin

  • 1 teaspoon white sugar

  • salt to taste

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Overhead of picadillo ingredients in various bowls and measuring cups.

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  2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir onion, bell pepper, and garlic, onion in the hot oil until softened, 5 to 7 minutes.

    Overhead of peppers, onions, and garlic cooking in a skillet.

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  3. Add ground beef into the skillet; cook and stir until crumbly and completely browned, 7 to 10 minutes.

    Overhead of ground beef, onions, peppers, and garlic cooking in a skillet.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Stir tomato sauce, olives, raisins, capers, cumin, sazon seasoning, sugar, and salt into the ground beef mixture. Cover the skillet, reduce heat to low, and cook until the mixture is heated through, 5 to 10 minutes.

    Looking down at a bowl of Cuban style picadillo.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

333 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

350 Calories
19g Fat
24g Carbs
24g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 350
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 19g 24%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Cholesterol 74mg 25%
Sodium 3572mg 155%
Total Carbohydrate 24g 9%
Dietary Fiber 2g 9%
Total Sugars 17g
Protein 24g 47%
Vitamin C 18mg 20%
Calcium 52mg 4%
Iron 4mg 23%
Potassium 691mg 15%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.