How to Make a Delicious Picadillo at Home

Picadillo is a classic Latin American dish that is enjoyed by people all over the world. It’s a flavorful and satisfying dish that is easy to make and perfect for a quick and tasty meal. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, making picadillo is a breeze and is sure to impress your family and friends.

To make a delicious picadillo, you will need ground beef, onions, garlic, tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, raisins, olives, and a few spices. The great thing about picadillo is that you can easily adjust the ingredients to your taste, making it a versatile dish that can be customized to suit your preferences. So, get ready to learn how to make a delicious picadillo that everyone will enjoy!

Ingredients Needed for Making Picadillo

When it comes to cooking, the ingredients are the heart and soul of any dish. To make a delicious picadillo, you will need the following ingredients:

1. 1½ pounds of ground beef or ground turkey
2. 2 large potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
3. 1 large onion, chopped
4. 1 red bell pepper, chopped
5. 2 cloves garlic, minced
6. 1 can of diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
7. ½ cup of beef or chicken broth
8. 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
9. 1 teaspoon of cumin
10. Salt and pepper to taste

To make the dish even more delicious and to really bring out the flavors, you can also add a few additional ingredients such as raisins, green olives, capers, and sliced almonds.

Preparing the Ingredients for Picadillo

Once you’ve gathered all of the ingredients needed for making picadillo, it’s time to start preparing them for cooking. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Potatoes – Peel the potatoes and cut them into cubes of around ½ inch. Once you’ve done that, place them in a pot with enough water to cover them and bring them to a boil. Let them cook for around 10 minutes, or until they’re soft but not mushy. Once they’re done, drain them and set them aside.

2. Onion, Bell Pepper, and Garlic – Rinse the onion, bell pepper, and garlic in cold water and chop them into small pieces. Once they’re chopped, set them aside.

3. Ground Meat – Brown the ground beef or ground turkey in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it up into smaller pieces as it cooks. Once it’s fully cooked, remove it from the skillet and set it aside.

Cooking the Picadillo

With all of the ingredients prepared, it’s time to start cooking the picadillo. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Sauté Vegetables – Heat the vegetable oil in the skillet over medium heat. Once it’s hot, add the chopped onion and bell pepper and sauté them for around 5 minutes, or until they’re softened. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds.

2. Add Spices and Meat – Add the ground meat to the skillet with the vegetables. Sprinkle the cumin over the meat and stir it until it’s fully combined. Add the diced tomatoes, broth, and cooked potatoes to the skillet and stir everything together.

3. Simmer and Serve – Let everything simmer for around 20 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and the flavors have combined. Serve the picadillo hot with your favorite rice or beans.

With these simple steps, you can enjoy a delicious picadillo any time you want. Try it out for yourself and see just how flavorful and satisfying this traditional Latin American dish can be!

Ingredients for Picadillo

Now that we’ve introduced you to picadillo and given you some context on why it’s such a popular dish, it’s time to dive into the nitty-gritty details on how to make this delicious meal. Before we get started, let’s take a look at the list of ingredients you’ll need to prepare for this recipe.

1. Ground Beef
Of course, the main ingredient in picadillo is ground beef. You’ll need about one pound of it, depending on how much you want to make. Make sure to choose a high-quality ground beef, preferably one that’s grass-fed and organic.

2. Vegetables
Picadillo is packed with vegetables, which is why it’s such a nutritious meal. You’ll need to chop one onion, two garlic cloves, one green bell pepper, one red bell pepper, two tomatoes, and one potato.

3. Spices
Spices are what give picadillo its distinct flavor and aroma. You’ll need one teaspoon of ground cumin, one teaspoon of ground coriander, one teaspoon of dried oregano, and one bay leaf.

4. Liquid
You’ll need two cups of beef stock or water to cook the picadillo. You can also use red or white wine to enhance the flavor.

5. Olives and Raisins
Picadillo is traditionally garnished with green olives and raisins. You’ll need about 1/4 cup of each.

6. Oil
In order to cook the vegetables and brown the beef, you’ll need to use oil. You can use olive oil or vegetable oil depending on your preference.

7. Salt and Pepper
No dish is complete without salt and pepper. Make sure to season the dish to taste.

8. Optional Add-ins
Some people like to add some extra ingredients to their picadillo. You can add capers, peas, carrots, or even some hot sauce if you like a little kick.

9. Garnish
Picadillo is traditionally served with white rice and garnished with chopped cilantro or parsley. Make sure to have these on hand when you’re ready to serve.

Now that we’ve gone over the list of ingredients, let’s get started on how to prepare the dish.

Ingredients for Making Picadillo

When making picadillo, it is important to have the right ingredients. Here is a list of the ingredients you will need:

Steps in Making Picadillo

Once you have gathered all the ingredients, it is time to start cooking! Here are the steps in making picadillo:

Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks.

Step 2: Add the Onion and Garlic

Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to skillet. Cook until onion is translucent and garlic is fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.

Step 3: Add the Tomato Sauce and Vegetables

Add the tomato sauce, chopped potatoes, chopped carrots, and green peas to the skillet. Stir everything together until well combined.

Step 4: Simmer the Picadillo

Reduce heat to low and cover the skillet. Allow the picadillo to simmer for 20-30 minutes or until the potatoes are tender and the sauce has thickened.

Step 5: Add the Raisins and Olives

Finally, stir in the raisins and sliced olives. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serving Suggestions

Picadillo is a versatile dish that can be served in many different ways. Here are some serving suggestions:

Serve with Rice

Picadillo is traditionally served over white rice. The rice helps to soak up the flavorful sauce and makes the meal more filling.

Make Tacos or Tostadas

Picadillo also makes a great filling for tacos or tostadas. Simply spoon the picadillo onto a tortilla or crispy tostada shell and top with your favorite toppings.

Pair with Fried Plantains

For a sweet and savory combo, serve picadillo with fried plantains. The sweet and caramelized plantains pair perfectly with the savory picadillo.

Top with Queso Fresco

For an extra boost of flavor, top your picadillo with crumbled queso fresco. The salty and slightly tangy cheese complements the picadillo perfectly.

Make a Picadillo Bowl

For a healthy and filling meal, try making a picadillo bowl. Layer rice, picadillo, and your favorite toppings like avocado, tomatoes, and lettuce in a bowl and enjoy!

That’s how you make a picadillo, amigo!

Thanks for sticking around until the end. I hope you enjoyed this recipe and can’t wait to give it a try. Don’t forget to let your family and friends know how awesome it turned out. You can always come back to this article whenever you need a refresher. Cooking is all about having fun, experimenting, and trying new things. Remember to kick back, relax, and enjoy the process. Happy cooking!