Cuban-Style Picadillo

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This Cuban-Style Picadillo is a quick and flavorful ground beef dish that’s perfect for a busy weeknight dinner! Made with pantry-friendly ingredients like ground beef, tomato sauce, and a mix of savory and sweet add-ins like green olives and raisins, this hearty one-pan meal is packed with bold flavor. Serve it over rice, tuck it into tacos, or stuff it into empanadas. It’s delicious no matter how you enjoy it!

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: Cuban

Keyword: Cuban Picadillo, easy dinner, ground beef, Latin American, one-pan meal, Picadillo, savory-sweet

Cooking Method: Stovetop

Diet: Gluten-Free (if using gluten-free sazon)

Servings:

Calories: 287kcal

Author: MelanieCooks.com

Equipment

Large skillet
Measuring Spoons
Spoon or spatula
Measuring Cups

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion small, chopped
½ green bell pepper chopped
1 clove garlic minced or more to taste
1 lb lean ground beef
8 oz tomato sauce 1 can
6 green olives large, pitted, quartered
½ cup raisins
1 tbsp capers optional
2 packets sazon seasoning such as Goya
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp white sugar
1/4 tsp salt to taste

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add chopped onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Add ground beef. Cook until browned and fully cooked through, breaking it apart with a spatula, about 7 to 10 minutes.
Stir in tomato sauce, olives, raisins, capers if using, sazon seasoning, cumin, sugar, and salt.
Lower the heat, cover the skillet, and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes until heated through and flavors combine.
Serve hot and enjoy.

Notes

Want a spicier version? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes while cooking the onion.
Leftovers taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop!

Nutrition