Description
Mexican Picadillo is a hearty, flavorful dish that combines tender ground beef, seasoned potatoes, and bold spices for a comforting meal. Perfect for serving over rice or in tortillas, this easy-to-make classic will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen.
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing)
- 8 oz (3–4 small) yellow potatoes, diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 jalapeño pepper, chopped
- 1 serrano pepper (optional), chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 large tomatoes, chopped
- ¾ cup beef stock
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp Mexican oregano
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Serving:
- Cooked rice or tortillas, as desired
- Sliced peppers (optional, for garnish)
- Chili flakes, to taste (optional)
- Lime juice, to taste
- Hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients:
- Dice the yellow potatoes into small, bite-sized pieces.
- Chop the onion, jalapeño, serrano peppers, and garlic.
- Set all the ingredients aside.
- Heat the Oil:
Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Once the oil shimmers slightly, it’s ready. - Cook the Vegetables:
- Add the diced potatoes, chopped onion, and peppers to the pan.
- Sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Brown the Ground Beef:
- Add the minced garlic and ground beef to the pan.
- Break up the meat with a wooden spoon and cook for about 5 minutes, until the beef is browned. Don’t worry if it’s not fully cooked at this stage.
- Add the Tomatoes and Stock:
- Stir in the chopped tomatoes, beef stock, and seasonings (paprika, Mexican oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper).
- Mix everything well to combine.
- Simmer the Picadillo:
- Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 20 minutes.
- Stir occasionally to ensure the potatoes soften and the flavors meld together.
- Serve and Garnish:
- Spoon the Picadillo over cooked rice or serve it with warm tortillas.
- Garnish with sliced peppers, chili flakes, lime juice, and your favorite hot sauce.
Notes
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh vegetables and spices bring out the best flavors.
- Adjust Spice Level: Remove the seeds from the peppers for a milder dish or add extra serranos for more heat.
- Cook the Potatoes Evenly: Dice the potatoes uniformly for even cooking.
- Simmer for Full Flavor: Allow the Picadillo to simmer to blend the flavors.
- Experiment with Add-Ins: Add peas, carrots, or green beans for variety and extra nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sauté and Simmer
- Cuisine: Mexican