If you’re looking for a comforting, flavorful dinner that’s easy enough for busy weeknights, this Classic Cuban Picadillo Recipe is the perfect choice. Made with seasoned ground beef, tomato sauce, olives, raisins, and aromatic spices, this traditional Cuban favorite delivers a delicious balance of savory and sweet flavors the whole family will love.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in about 30 minutes.
- Rich, savory, and slightly sweet flavor.
- Simple pantry-friendly ingredients.
- Perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
- Great for meal prep and leftovers.
- Naturally halal-friendly when prepared with halal-certified ground beef and seasonings.
- Delicious served with rice, potatoes, or warm bread.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- ½ green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 pound lean ground beef (halal)
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 6 large pitted green olives, quartered
- ½ cup raisins
- 1 tablespoon capers (optional)
- 2 packets sazon seasoning (halal-certified)
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and garlic. Cook for 5–7 minutes until softened.
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into small crumbles as it cooks.
- Drain any excess grease if needed.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, olives, raisins, capers, cumin, sazon seasoning, sugar, and salt.
- Mix well until everything is evenly combined.
- Cover the skillet and reduce the heat to low.
- Simmer the Classic Cuban Picadillo Recipe for 5–10 minutes so the flavors blend together.
- Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.
- Serve hot with white rice, fried plantains, mashed potatoes, or warm crusty bread.
Tips & Tricks
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease.
- Add extra garlic if you enjoy a bolder flavor.
- Fresh bell peppers provide the best texture.
- Don’t skip the raisins—they create the signature sweet and savory balance.
- Adjust cumin according to your taste.
- Add diced potatoes for a heartier version.
- Fresh cilantro makes a wonderful garnish.
Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cuban
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Notes: Halal-friendly, Dairy-Free
Notes
- Serve over steamed white rice for a traditional Cuban meal.
- It also pairs well with cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option.
- Leftovers make excellent taco, empanada, or stuffed pepper fillings.
- Ensure your sazon seasoning is halal-certified.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)
- Calories: 395
- Protein: 27g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fat: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 760mg
FAQ
What is Cuban picadillo?
Cuban picadillo is a traditional ground beef dish cooked with tomato sauce, olives, raisins, cumin, and spices for a savory-sweet flavor.
Why are raisins added to picadillo?
Raisins balance the salty olives and savory beef, creating the signature Cuban flavor.
Can I make picadillo ahead of time?
Yes. The flavors become even better after resting overnight in the refrigerator.
Can I freeze Cuban picadillo?
Absolutely. Freeze it for up to three months in airtight containers.
What do you serve with Cuban picadillo?
White rice, black beans, fried plantains, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or crusty bread are excellent pairings.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat or microwave until heated through.
Similar Recipes
Classic Cuban Picadillo Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion chopped
- ½ green bell pepper chopped
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 pound lean ground beef halal
- 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
- 6 large pitted green olives quartered
- ½ cup raisins
- 1 tablespoon capers optional
- 2 packets sazon seasoning halal-certified
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and garlic. Cook for 5–7 minutes until softened.
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into small crumbles as it cooks.
- Drain any excess grease if needed.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, olives, raisins, capers, cumin, sazon seasoning, sugar, and salt.
- Mix well until everything is evenly combined.
- Cover the skillet and reduce the heat to low.
- Simmer the Classic Cuban Picadillo Recipe for 5–10 minutes so the flavors blend together.
- Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.
- Serve hot with white rice, fried plantains, mashed potatoes, or warm crusty bread.
Notes
- Serve over steamed white rice for a traditional Cuban meal.
- It also pairs well with cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option.
- Leftovers make excellent taco, empanada, or stuffed pepper fillings.
- Ensure your sazon seasoning is halal-certified.
Conclusion
This Classic Cuban Picadillo Recipe is a timeless comfort food that’s packed with bold flavor and simple ingredients. Whether you’re preparing a quick weeknight dinner or introducing your family to authentic Cuban cuisine, this hearty dish is sure to become a regular favorite.