Description
This Authentic Cuban Beef Picadillo recipe is a one-pan classic made with ground beef, green olives, raisins, tomato sauce, and Cuban spices. Perfect for easy weeknight dinners or meal prep, this dish delivers sweet and savory flavors in every bite. Try it with rice, plantains, or inside empanadas for a comforting Latin-inspired meal.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/3 cup green olives, sliced
1/4 cup raisins
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes until softened.
2. Add ground beef to the skillet. Break it up and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6 to 8 minutes.
3. Stir in cumin, oregano, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine the seasonings evenly.
4. Pour in the tomato sauce. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, letting the flavors meld.
5. Add sliced olives and raisins. Stir and cook for another 5 minutes.
6. Remove the bay leaf, taste, and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot over white rice or in empanadas.
Notes
This dish tastes even better the next day after the flavors develop.
You can freeze leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
Use 90/10 lean ground beef to avoid excess grease while keeping flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Cuban
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 65mg