Copycat Laredo Taco Company's Picadillo

Recreate the bold, savory flavors of Laredo Taco Company's beloved picadillo with this easy, homemade copycat recipe. Featuring tender ground beef, perfectly cooked russet potatoes, and aromatic spices like cumin, paprika, and chili powder, this one-pot dish is comfort food at its finest. A rich tomato base, vibrant veggies, and a simmered bay leaf bring depth to every bite, while beef broth ensures a succulent, hearty texture. Ready in just 50 minutes, this versatile picadillo is perfect as a taco filling, rice topping, or filling for burritos. Whether garnished with fresh cilantro, creamy avocado, or a zesty squeeze of lime, it’s a crowd-pleasing recipe that delivers authentic Tex-Mex flavor right in your kitchen.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 medium russet potatoes
• 1 medium white onion
• 1 large roma tomato
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1.5 cups beef broth
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 bay leaf

Directions

Step 1

Peel and dice the potatoes into small 1/4-inch cubes. Finely chop the onion, tomato, and garlic.

Step 2

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat if necessary.

Step 4

Add the chopped onion and garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.

Step 5

Stir in the diced potatoes and tomato, cooking for another 2-3 minutes.

Step 6

Mix in the tomato paste, cumin, paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to coat the mixture evenly.

Step 7

Pour in the beef broth and add the bay leaf. Stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer.

Step 8

Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Check the potatoes for tenderness; they should be fork-tender by the end of cooking.

Step 9

Once cooked, remove the bay leaf and taste for seasoning. Adjust salt and spice levels as needed.

Step 10

Serve hot with warm tortillas, over rice, or as a filling for tacos or burritos. Garnish with your choice of fresh cilantro, diced avocado, or a squeeze of lime for added flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1128.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1384.6

Total Fat 108.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 36.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 16.8g
Cholesterol 321.1mg	0%
Sodium 4081.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 28.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 7.4g	0%
Total Sugars 12.2g
Protein 77.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 152.9mg	0%
Iron 12.3mg	0%
Potassium 2200.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 69.7%

Protein: 22.1%

Carbs: 8.2%