Absolutely! 🥩🍅 Homemade Picadillo is a classic Latin dish — a savory-sweet ground beef hash with vegetables, tomatoes, and often raisins and olives. It’s perfect for serving over rice, stuffing into tacos, or using as a filling for empanadas.
🍲 Homemade Picadillo
Ingredients
(Serves 4–6)
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1 lb ground beef
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1 medium onion, finely chopped
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 medium bell pepper, diced (green or red)
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1 cup tomato sauce
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1 medium tomato, diced (optional, for extra freshness)
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½ cup green olives, sliced
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¼ cup raisins (optional, for a sweet touch)
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1 tsp ground cumin
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1 tsp paprika
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½ tsp ground cinnamon (optional, adds warmth)
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½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
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¼ tsp black pepper
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2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
1. Cook the beef
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Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
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Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
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Drain excess fat if necessary.
2. Sauté the vegetables
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Add onion, garlic, and bell pepper to the skillet.
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Cook 3–5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
3. Add tomato and seasonings
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Stir in tomato sauce (and diced fresh tomato, if using).
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Add cumin, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
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Simmer 5–7 minutes to let flavors meld.
4. Add finishing touches
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Stir in olives and raisins.
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Simmer another 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
5. Serve
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Serve hot over white rice, inside tacos, or in empanadas.
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Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.
💡 Tips
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For extra depth, add a splash of red wine or beef broth while simmering.
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Adjust sweetness by increasing or reducing raisins.
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You can also add potatoes or carrots, diced small, for a heartier picadillo.
If you like, I can give a Mexican-style Picadillo version with potatoes and chipotle for a smoky kick — it’s super flavorful and authentic. Do you want me to do that?
