Picadillo (Cuban Ground Beef with Olives and Raisins)
In short: Ground beef simmered with onion, green pepper, tomato, olives and raisins for a savory-sweet, briny dish served over white rice. It takes about 50 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 390 kcal
Picadillo is a weeknight staple in Cuban homes, a quick sauté of ground beef with sofrito, tomato, green olives and raisins. The mix of salty olives and sweet raisins is what marks it as Cuban, and a splash of wine keeps it bright. It is served over white rice with black beans and fried ripe plantains, and it also fills empanadas, stuffed peppers and baked potatoes. Some families stir in diced potato or top each plate with a fried egg.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the onion and pepper for 6 minutes until soft, then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the beef and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no pink remains.
- Stir in the cumin, oregano, bay leaf, salt and pepper, then pour in the tomato sauce and wine and bring to a simmer.
- Add the olives, raisins and capers. Cover and cook on low heat for 15 minutes, stirring now and then.
- Uncover and cook for 5 to 8 minutes more, until most of the liquid has cooked off but the picadillo is still moist. Remove the bay leaf and serve over rice.
Tips
- For a heartier dish, add 1 diced potato with the tomato sauce and a splash of water, and cook until tender, about 20 minutes.
- Ground pork, or half beef and half pork, also works and gives a richer flavor.
Questions and answers
Do raisins belong in picadillo?
In the Cuban version, yes. Their sweetness balances the salty olives and capers. If you do not like them, leave them out.
How is Cuban picadillo different from other picadillos?
Cuban picadillo uses olives, raisins and capers in a tomato and sofrito base, and it is usually served over rice. Versions elsewhere may use different spices, nuts or fruit.
Can I freeze picadillo?
Yes. Cool it completely and freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat until steaming hot.
How long does it take to make Picadillo (Cuban Ground Beef with Olives and Raisins)?
About 50 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 35 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Picadillo (Cuban Ground Beef with Olives and Raisins)?
About 390 kcal per serving, with 25 g of protein, 16 g of carbohydrates and 25 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 390 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 25 g |
| Carbohydrates | 16 g |
| Fat | 25 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 11 g |
| Sodium | 1050 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
