Description
This hearty Mexican Picadillo recipe features a flavorful combination of ground beef, tender yellow potatoes, tomatoes, and a blend of traditional Mexican spices. Perfectly simmered to meld the spices with fresh ingredients, it makes a comforting dish served over rice or with warm tortillas, customizable with extra heat or additional ingredients like olives and raisins.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 ounces yellow potatoes (about 3-4 small), diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 jalapeno pepper, chopped
- 1 serrano pepper, chopped (optional, for spicier)
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 pound ground beef (or substitute with ground chicken, turkey, or pork)
- 2 large tomatoes, chopped
- 3/4 cup beef stock (or chicken or vegetable stock)
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon Mexican oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Serving
- Cooked rice or warmed tortillas
- Sliced peppers
- Chili flakes
- Fresh lime juice
- Hot sauce
Instructions
- Heat the oil and soften vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the diced potatoes, chopped onion, jalapeno, and serrano peppers. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Add garlic and brown the ground beef: Stir in the chopped garlic and ground beef. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat as it cooks. Continue cooking for 5 minutes until the beef starts to brown but is not fully cooked through.
- Add tomatoes, stock, and seasonings: Mix in the chopped tomatoes, beef stock, paprika, Mexican oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer to cook through: Reduce the heat to low to simmer the mixture. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the potatoes to become tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Serve: Serve the picadillo hot over cooked rice or with warmed tortillas. Garnish with sliced peppers, chili flakes, a squeeze of fresh lime juice, and your favorite hot sauce to taste.
Notes
- Heat Factor: Medium, but you can increase spiciness by adding hotter peppers, extra chili flakes, or more hot sauce.
- Customizable Ingredients: Traditional variations may include parsley, blanched almonds, olives, carrots, and raisins for added depth and texture.
- Meat Alternatives: Ground chicken, turkey, or pork can be used instead of beef for different flavor profiles.
- Serving Suggestions: Picadillo pairs wonderfully with rice, corn or flour tortillas, and fresh lime to brighten flavors.
