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Cuban Picadillo

3.93
/5
40 minutes mins
11 Comments
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By: Lalaine ManaloPosted: 06/03/2018Updated: 06/30/2018
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Cuban picadillo served in a orange skillet with a side of rice

Cuban Picadillo with ground beef, olives, and raisins cooked in a rich tomato sauce. It’s hearty, tasty, budget-friendly, and the ultimate comfort food. Serve with rice for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.

Cuban picadillo served in a orange skillet with a side of rice
Cuban Picadillo

The Philippines was a colony of Spain for 300-plus years, and to this day, traces of Spanish influence is in our use of Spanish names, religion, food, and culture. One traditional Latin dish you can also find in Philippine cuisine is Picadillo.

Adapted to fit Filipino tastes and local ingredients, I grew up enjoying this hearty stew at family dinners and special gatherings. This Filipino-style version is on my other blog if you’d like to check out the recipe and give it a try. Today, however, is all about the Cuban Picadillo which is purported to be the inspiration for all types of picadillo.

Cuban-style picadillo recipe with green olives, raisins, bell peppers, and tomato sauce in a skillet

How do you make Cuban Picadillo?

Picadillo is made of ground beef, pork or a combination of both. The meat is first sauteed in garlic and onions until lightly browned and then simmered in tomato sauce until tender.

Green olives, capers, raisins, potatoes and other ingredients abundant in the region are commonly added to extend servings. The mixture is usually flavored with white wine and seasoned with ground cumin and oregano.

Cuban Beef Picadillo served over rice in a white plate

What do you serve with Picadillo?

Picadillo is traditionally served with steamed rice and black beans as a main dish. Fresh bananas, fried ripe plantains, or tostones are also common accompaniments for a delicious medley of sweet and savory.

Try this Cuban-style Picadillo recipe tonight; it’s easy to make, budget-friendly and absolutely tasty! The recipe can be easily doubled to feed a large and leftovers are great as filling for tacos, burritos or empanadas. You can also top the flavorful meat on tostadas or toss with your favorite pasta for a quick yet satisfying meal.

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @OnionRingsAndThings on Facebook and Instagram!

Cuban-style picadillo recipe with green olives, raisins, bell peppers, and tomato sauce in a skillet
3.93 from 38 votes

Cuban Picadillo

Cuban Picadillo with ground beef, olives, and raisins cooked in a rich tomato sauce. It's hearty, tasty, budget-friendly, and the perfect comfort food. Serve with rice for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 30 minutes mins
Total Time: 40 minutes mins
Author: Lalaine Manalo
Course: Main Entree
Print Pin It Email Recipe
6 Servings

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon canola or olive oil
  • 1 onion, peeled and chopped
  • 1/2 green bell pepper, cored and chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
  • 1/3 cup white wine
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup pimiento-stuffed Spanish olives, sliced
  • 1/4 cup raisins
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a wide skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onions, bell peppers, and garlic. Cook, stirring regularly, until softened and aromatic.
  • Add ground beef and cook, breaking into pieces with the back of a spoon, for about 4 to 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Drain excess fat.
  • Add diced tomatoes and cook, mashing with the back of a spoon, until softened.
  • Add white wine, water, and tomato paste. Stir until distributed and bring to a boil.
  • Add olives, raisins, oregano, and cumin. Stir until distributed.
  • Lower heat, cover and simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes or until meat is tender and cooked and liquid is reduced.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 398kcal, Carbohydrates: 15g, Protein: 21g, Fat: 27g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Cholesterol: 80mg, Sodium: 433mg, Potassium: 732mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 395IU, Vitamin C: 18.8mg, Calcium: 71mg, Iron: 4.1mg

“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”

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Cuban picadillo served in a orange skillet with a side of rice
Cuban-style picadillo recipe with green olives, raisins, bell peppers, and tomato sauce in a skillet

 

About Lalaine Manalo

Welcome to Onion Rings and Things where you’ll find hundreds of comfort food recipes, crafts, and printables. Browse around and make something fun or tasty today! Read More

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Reader Interactions

3.93 from 38 votes (33 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




  1. Lisa says

    Posted on 4/26/23 at 2:47 pm

    5 stars
    Found this recipe on tasty….it brought me to your site. Amazing flavor, so easy to make ahead for an active family on the go. Definitely will check out other recipes on your site. Thank you for a delicious meal!

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 4/27/23 at 9:09 am

      Thanks for the 5 stars! Glad you enjoyed the recipe!

      Reply
  2. Ann says

    Posted on 2/4/23 at 7:37 am

    5 stars
    Quick, easy to make and super delicious!

    Reply
  3. Genie plough says

    Posted on 4/19/20 at 9:38 am

    I love this recipe for pidica I fix the same recipe I got it from the gasprill cook book….have not fixed it in a while…….can’t wait…..sincerity genie

    Reply
  4. Genie plough says

    Posted on 4/19/20 at 9:33 am

    I love this recipe do

    Reply
  5. Pinoy Channel says

    Posted on 12/31/19 at 7:38 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Admin
    I realy Love Your Blogg , And Your Recipes Tips

    Reply
  6. Sheila Mann says

    Posted on 8/21/19 at 1:25 pm

    Tried the recipe, My husband and I loved it!!

    Reply
  7. Nina Walter says

    Posted on 6/26/19 at 3:47 pm

    5 stars
    I cook for a couple with discriminating tastes and this is one of their favorites. Very flavorful. Great comfort food and can be frozen easily for future meals.

    Reply
  8. Chris says

    Posted on 2/18/19 at 4:56 pm

    5 stars
    I substituted raisins for pinto beans; this dish was so good. I also didn’t have white wine to use so lemon was my alternative which was probably better in my opinion. The whole dinner took me a an hour to make but keep in mind I used 2.5 lbs of ground beef instead of 1.5 lbs (I also used more ingredients so it would be proportional). The only problem I have is that I don’t have enough people around to share it with

    Reply
  9. Belle says

    Posted on 6/13/18 at 7:44 am

    Wow. That looks SO yummy!!! Too bad I don’t eat meat *ugly cry* lol.

    Reply
    • Shelly says

      Posted on 2/20/22 at 1:18 pm

      I’m vegan, I’ve actually used beyond meat in it! This time I’m going to do impossible sausage and 2 beyond burgers.

      Reply

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