Perfect Picaddillo

Discover the rich and comforting flavors of "Perfect Picadillo," a classic Latin American dish that combines savory, sweet, and aromatic ingredients in every bite. This hearty one-pan recipe brings together ground beef infused with warm spices like cumin, smoked paprika, and a hint of cinnamon, balanced by the tang of pimento-stuffed green olives and the natural sweetness of golden raisins. Simmered to perfection with tomatoes and a touch of garlic, this flavorful dish is both weeknight-friendly, ready in just 45 minutes, and satisfying enough for the whole family. Serve it over fluffy white rice for a complete meal, and don't forget the optional cilantro garnish to brighten its layers of flavor. Perfect Picadillo is a foolproof way to bring a taste of tradition to your dinner table!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 4 minced garlic cloves
• 1 medium, diced green bell pepper
• 1 pound ground beef (85% lean)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.25 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes (canned, with juice)
• 0.5 cup, sliced pimento-stuffed green olives
• 0.25 cup golden raisins
• 1 whole bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon, or to taste salt
• 0.5 teaspoon, or to taste black pepper
• 2 tablespoons, chopped (optional for garnish) fresh cilantro
• 2 cups cooked white rice (optional, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 2

Add diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened and translucent.

Step 3

Stir in minced garlic and diced green bell pepper, cooking for another 2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook for 5–7 minutes, until fully browned and no longer pink.

Step 5

Sprinkle cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and cinnamon over the beef, stirring well to coat the mixture with the spices.

Step 6

Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to deepen the flavor.

Step 7

Pour in the diced tomatoes along with their juice, stirring to combine. Raise the heat slightly to bring the mixture to a simmer.

Step 8

Stir in the sliced green olives, golden raisins, and bay leaf. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 9

Season the Picadillo with salt and black pepper to taste, removing the bay leaf before serving.

Step 10

Optional: Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro for added freshness and serve with warm white rice, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1788.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2198.0

Total Fat 119.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 36.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.8g
Cholesterol 305.1mg	0%
Sodium 5372.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 204.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.7g	0%
Total Sugars 53.2g
Protein 100.1g	0%

Vitamin D 28.1IU	0%
Calcium 382.8mg	0%
Iron 19.0mg	0%
Potassium 3367.6mg	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: 46.9%

Protein: 17.4%

Carbs: 35.6%