Description
This vibrant Picadillo recipe offers a classic Filipino-inspired ground beef dish simmered with a blend of aromatic vegetables, olives, raisins, and a flavorful tomato sauce. Perfectly balanced with spices like sazón, adobo, and bay leaves, this hearty meal comes together quickly on the stovetop for a comforting family dinner.
Ingredients
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 yellow onion, small dice
- 1 red bell pepper, small dice
- 1 Tbsp garlic, minced
Main Ingredients
- 1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
Seasonings and Sauces
- 1 tsp coarse salt*
- 1 1/2 tsp sazón (1 packet)*
- 1 tsp adobo*
- 1/2 cup sofrito
- 15 oz tomato sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp white vinegar
Add-ins
- 1/2 cup sliced pimento-stuffed green olives*
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Heat the oil and cook onions and peppers: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the diced onions and peppers to the pan and cook until the onions become transparent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute, being careful not to burn it.
- Brown the ground beef with seasonings: Add the ground beef to the skillet and sprinkle with salt, sazón, and adobo. Break up any large chunks with a spoon as the meat browns evenly. Cook until no longer pink, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Incorporate the sofrito: Stir in the sofrito and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, roughly 2 minutes. This infuses the dish with deep flavor.
- Add olives, raisins, vinegar and liquids: Mix in the sliced pimento-stuffed green olives, raisins, white vinegar, tomato sauce, bay leaves, and water. Stir to combine well.
- Simmer the picadillo: Continue cooking the mixture, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld and sauce to thicken slightly.
- Finish and rest: Remove the pan from heat and let the picadillo cool slightly before serving to intensify the flavors.
Notes
- Sazón and adobo packets are seasoning blends commonly used in Latin American cooking; if unavailable, substitute with a mix of cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Use ground beef with a moderate fat content (80/20) for a juicy, flavorful picadillo.
- Sofrito can be store-bought or homemade; it’s a blend of blended peppers, onions, garlic, and herbs.
- The raisins add a subtle touch of sweetness balancing the savory flavors.
- This dish pairs well with white rice, plantains, or warm tortillas.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Filipino
