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Mexican Picadillo Recipe

Mexican Picadillo Recipe


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4.8 from 10 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Whip up Mexican Picadillo for a comforting meal that brings family together around the table. Hearty ground beef simmered with tomatoes, spices, and veggies creates a satisfying dinner your loved ones will devour.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1.5 pounds ground beef
  • 2 medium-sized potatoes
  • 2 fresh roma tomatoes
  • 3 jalapenos
  • 1 serrano pepper

Supporting Ingredients:

  • ½ cup onions
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • ¼ cup water

Seasonings:

  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon cooking oil

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 teaspoon of cooking oil in a small frying pan at medium temperature for 2 minutes.
  2. Add 2 roma tomatoes, 3 stemless jalapenos, 1 de-stemmed serrano pepper, and 2 garlic cloves to the heated pan.
  3. Roast the vegetables for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally until their skin appears charred and blistered.
  4. Transfer the roasted vegetables to a food processor and pulse until you create a smooth, consistent salsa-like sauce.
  5. Place 1.5 pounds of 80/20 ground beef into a large saucepan over medium heat with ½ cup chopped onions, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper.
  6. Cook the beef mixture for 8-10 minutes, breaking it apart with a spatula until the meat turns completely brown and loses its pink color.
  7. Add 2 peeled and diced potatoes (½-inch pieces) and the processed vegetable sauce to the beef.
  8. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the pan, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until potatoes become tender and easily pierced with a fork.
  9. Stir the picadillo occasionally during cooking to prevent sticking and ensure even heat distribution.
  10. Remove from heat and serve immediately with warm rice or your preferred side dish.

Notes

  • Roasting the tomatoes and peppers develops a deep, smoky flavor that’s essential to authentic Mexican picadillo.
  • Use a cast-iron skillet for better charring of tomatoes and peppers, which adds incredible depth to the sauce.
  • For a lighter version, swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken and reduce the oil used during cooking.
  • Chop potatoes into uniform small cubes so they cook evenly and become perfectly tender without turning mushy.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Sautéed
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 376 kcal
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 580 mg
  • Fat: 27 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10.8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15.3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 16 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 24 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg