Cuban Picadillo Recipe

Name: Cuban Picadillo
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1/2 cup olive oil; 8 cloves garlic, minced; 2 large onions, chopped; 1 large green pepper, diced; 1 jalapeno pepper, minced; 1 bunch cilantro, chopped (no stems); 3 tablespoons capers; 1/2 cup stuffed green olive; 4 fresh bay leaves; 4 -5 tablespoons crushed cumin seeds; 1 lb lean ground beef; 1 (16 ounce) can diced tomatoes; 1/2 cup red wine vinegar; 1 pinch cayenne pepper; 1/2 cup diced pimento (optional); 4 eggs, fried (optional); steamed rice (optional)

Servings: persons

1/2 cup olive oil
8 cloves garlic, minced
2 large onions, chopped
1 large green pepper, diced
1 jalapeno pepper, minced
1 bunch cilantro, chopped (no stems)
3 tablespoons capers
1/2 cup stuffed green olive
4 fresh bay leaves
4 -5 tablespoons crushed cumin seeds
1 lb lean ground beef
1 (16 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1/2 cup diced pimento (optional)
4 eggs, fried (optional)
steamed rice (optional)

1
Heat olive oil in a large skillet and add the sofrito (garlic, onions, green pepper, jalapeno, cilantro, capers, olives, bay leaves and cumin seeds).
2
Cook the sofrito until it is fragrant and the onions are translucent; remove from pan and set aside.
3
Brown ground beef in pan and drain fat.
4
Add sofrito to the beef along with the tomatoes, vinegar, and cayenne pepper.
5
Simmer for 45 minutes on low heat.
6
Serve over rice, with a fried egg on top, garnished with pimiento, if desired.
7
Another option to serve is to spoon it into corn tortillas, with lettuce, tomato, green onions, jalapenos, cheese, and hot sauce, like a taco.

1139

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Feel free to swap in similar ingredients you already have on hand and adjust seasoning to taste.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 17 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1/2 cup olive oil, 8 cloves garlic, minced, 2 large onions, chopped, 1 large green pepper, diced, and more.

Yes, Cuban Picadillo falls under the Meat & Poultry category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Cuban Picadillo

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions