Description
A classic Cuban comfort dish made with seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, bell peppers, olives, and raisins for the perfect balance of savory, salty, and sweet. Authentic Cuban Beef Picadillo is easy to make, rich in flavor, and perfect served over rice or used as a filling for empanadas or tacos.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef (80/20)
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 cup tomato sauce
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 bay leaf
1/3 cup green olives, sliced
1/4 cup raisins (optional)
1/2 cup black beans (optional)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Cooked white rice, for serving
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a bit of oil.
- Sauté the chopped onion for 3–4 minutes until translucent.
- Add the minced garlic and diced red bell pepper, cooking for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, cumin, oregano, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the sliced green olives and raisins (if using), and cook for 5 more minutes to let the flavors combine.
- Fold in the black beans if desired, and heat through.
- Serve hot over a bed of cooked white rice.
Notes
Substitute ground turkey for a lighter option.
Add diced potatoes for extra heartiness.
Use lentils or plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian version.
Adjust sweetness by adding or omitting raisins.
Flavors deepen over time—great for meal prep.
Store in the fridge up to 3 days or freeze for 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cuban
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 760mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
