Picadillo, a Puerto Rican-style stew made with ground beef, is irresistibly flavorful and guaranteed to leave everyone speechless at the table as they indulge in its deliciousness. Not only is this beef picadillo recipe affordable and easy to make, but it also offers endless possibilities for customization. Trust me when I say this: You absolutely must try making picadillo.
A NOTE ON AUTHENTICITY
This recipe is not historically accurate, but our goal is to make it accessible to everyone. Therefore, we use ingredients that can be found at a regular grocery store at an affordable price. We simplify the steps, tools, and ingredients while still respecting the essence of the recipe. As someone from Puerto Rico, I hope that one day our traditional ingredients will be widely available. In the meantime, enjoy your meal!
What Is Picadillo?
Picadillo, a classic Latin dish, combines the flavors of sweet and savory. Typically prepared with ground beef simmered in tomato sauce, Puerto Ricans add their own twist by using a rich tomato-based sauce infused with sofrito, adobo, olives, raisins, and occasionally diced potatoes. While the idea of combining raisins with beef may sound unconventional, rest assured, it surprisingly creates a delightful harmony of flavors that you must experience for yourself.
What You’ll Need
In less than half an hour, you can have a delightful and effortless dish called Picadillo, all cooked in a single pan. Although a small amount of chopping is needed, it only takes approximately 7 minutes to gather the ingredients and prepare the recipe. Afterwards, simply let it simmer on the stovetop while you relax – a perfect example of a hassle-free one-pot recipe! Do you not agree?
What TO Serve With Picadillo
Picadillo, a versatile dish, is a beloved weeknight favorite in my household. Its delectable combination of sweetness and savoriness makes it enjoyable on its own or when paired with rice and mashed potatoes. Additionally, I can get creative with this dish by incorporating it into various meals such as empanadas, burritos, or lettuce wraps. In fact, I’ve even used it to enhance the flavor of marinara sauce for a Puerto Rican-style spaghetti. With its adaptability, picadillo truly proves to be an all-purpose culinary delight!
How To Store Picadillo
I absolutely adore recipes that become more flavorful when enjoyed the following day, and this Picadillo recipe is no exception. To ensure its freshness, store the cooled Picadillo in an airtight container with plastic film or wax paper placed directly on the surface. It can be safely kept in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for as long as 3 months. When ready to enjoy frozen Picadillo, simply thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and then warm it either in a pan set over medium heat or in the microwave until it reaches a steaming temperature.
How to Make Picadillo – Step by Step Photos
Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat and drizzle with 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil. Once the oil is hot, toss in 1 diced onion and 1 diced red bell pepper. Cook until the onions become transparent.
Put 1 tablespoon of minced garlic into the pan and cook until it becomes fragrant.
Place the pound of ground beef into the pan and evenly distribute 1 teaspoon of coarse salt, 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of sazón, and 1 teaspoon of adobo over the meat. While the beef cooks and turns brown, use your spoon to break up any large chunks.
After browning the beef, include the 1/2 cup of sofrito and continue cooking while stirring constantly, until a pleasant aroma is released, which usually takes approximately 2 minutes. Ensure to break up any remaining clumps of ground beef.
Include the following ingredients: 1/2 cup of olives, 1/4 cup of raisins, 1/2 tablespoon of white vinegar, 15 ounces of tomato sauce, 2 bay leaves, and 1/4 cup of water.
Keep cooking while stirring occasionally for 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let the Picadillo cool a bit before serving. Can you estimate how much time it will take for everyone to resume talking?
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