Chef John's Picadillo

4.7
(66)

A Cuban creation, picadillo is one of the world's great ground meat dishes. I went with beef, but you can add some pork and/or chorizo. Serve it with rice.

8
8
8
8
Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
45 mins
Total Time:
55 mins
Servings:
4
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil

  • 1 ½ pounds ground beef (85% lean)

  • 1 cup diced yellow onion

  • 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste

  • 2 bay leaves

  • 2 teaspoons cumin

  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 3 cups crushed tomatoes

  • ¼ cup water

  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar

  • ¼ cup currants or raisins

  • ½ cup sliced pimento-stuffed green olives, or to taste

Directions

  1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef. Cook and break up beef into small pieces with a spoon or spatula until completely loses its pink color, 8 to 10 minutes. Add onion and salt; cook until onion turns translucent, about 5 minutes. Add bay leaves, cumin, black pepper, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper; cook 2 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute.

  2. Stir in crushed tomatoes, water, and red wine vinegar; cook and deglaze pan, about 3 minutes. Add currants; bring back to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and cook until beef is tender, 15 to 20 minutes.

  3. Gently stir in sliced olives; cover and cook 10 to 15 minutes more.

100 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

485 Calories
27g Fat
26g Carbs
37g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 485
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 27g 35%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Cholesterol 111mg 37%
Sodium 1510mg 66%
Total Carbohydrate 26g 10%
Dietary Fiber 6g 20%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 37g 74%
Vitamin C 25mg 28%
Calcium 128mg 10%
Iron 7mg 39%
Potassium 1131mg 24%

* 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.