Description
Mexican Picadillo is a flavorful and hearty dish made with lean ground beef, a medley of spices, vegetables, and unique additions like raisins and green olives. This savory mixture is simmered to perfection, blending sweet, salty, and tangy flavors for a comforting and versatile meal that pairs wonderfully with rice or tortillas.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small bell pepper, chopped
- 1 medium tomato, chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup sliced green olives
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Heat the Oil: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat to prepare for cooking the beef and vegetables.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add lean ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up into crumbles as it cooks to ensure even cooking.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add chopped onion, minced garlic, and chopped bell pepper to the skillet and cook until the vegetables soften, releasing their flavors.
- Add Spices and Tomato: Stir in chopped tomato, ground cumin, chili powder, dried oregano, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes to blend the spices with the vegetables.
- Combine Sweet and Savory: Add raisins, sliced green olives, tomato sauce, and beef broth to the skillet. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally to develop rich flavors and reduce liquids.
- Finish Cooking: Once the liquid has reduced and the flavors have melded together, remove the skillet from heat.
- Add Fresh Cilantro: Stir in chopped fresh cilantro to add a burst of fresh herbal flavor before serving.
- Serve: Enjoy the Mexican Picadillo hot alongside rice, tortillas, or your choice of side dishes for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- For a slightly sweeter taste, you can add a teaspoon of brown sugar along with the raisins.
- To make it spicier, increase the chili powder or add a diced jalapeño pepper when adding the vegetables.
- Serve with warm tortillas or rice to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a lighter version, use ground turkey instead of ground beef.
