Cuban Picadillo
A quick, savory-sweet Cuban ground beef hash simmered with sofrito, tomato, olives, and raisins. Weeknight comfort served over rice in 45 minutes.
Prep
15 min
Cook
30 min
Total
45 min
Makes
4 servings
Why you'll love this recipe
Picadillo is the Cuban weeknight hero — a savory-sweet ground beef hash that's fast, budget-friendly, and deeply flavorful. Make a big batch; it's even better the next day.
Cuban Picadillo
45 min · 4 servings
Ingredients
Servings
4 servings
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- ⅓ cup green olives, sliced
- ¼ cup raisins
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
- Make a sofrito: sauté the onion, bell pepper, and garlic until soft.
- Add the ground beef and brown, breaking it up.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, cumin, and oregano and simmer 10 minutes.
- Add the olives and raisins, simmer 5 more minutes, and serve over white rice.
Nutrition (per serving)
360
Calories
24g
Protein
18g
Carbs
22g
Fat
Frequently asked questions
- Why are there raisins in picadillo?
- The raisins add a subtle sweetness that balances the briny olives and savory beef — a hallmark of Cuban picadillo.
- What do you serve with picadillo?
- Classically over white rice, often with fried sweet plantains (maduros) on the side. Leftovers make great empanada or taco filling.
