What is sofrito and can I make it myself?

Sofrito is a flavor base made from peppers, onions, garlic, and herbs. You can absolutely make it yourself by blending bell peppers, onions, cilantro, garlic, and culantro (if available). Alternatively, you can find prepared sofrito in jars in the international section of most grocery stores.

Can I make picadillo without sazon or adobo if I can't find them?

Yes! For sazon, substitute a mix of 1/4 teaspoon turmeric (for color), 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon cumin, and a pinch of coriander. For adobo, use a blend of garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. The flavor profile will be slightly different but still delicious.

Why are olives traditional in picadillo?

Olives provide a briny contrast to the savory meat and sweet tomato sauce, creating a balanced flavor profile that's characteristic of many Latin dishes. They're also part of the Spanish culinary influence in Latin American cuisine. If you're not an olive fan, you can omit them, but they really do make the dish special!

How can I make this recipe healthier?

Use lean ground beef (90/10) or substitute ground turkey. You can also add more vegetables like diced zucchini, carrots, or bell peppers along with the onions. Serve over cauliflower rice instead of white rice for a lower-carb option.

Beef Picadillo Recipe

Name: Beef Picadillo Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Latin American
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 medium white onion, diced; 1 lb ground beef; ¼ cup sofrito; 1 tablespoon adobo seasoning; 1 packet sazon seasoning; 1 teaspoon cumin powder; 1 teaspoon dried, ground oregano; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon ground black pepper; 2 teaspoons finely minced garlic or garlic paste; 1 cup tomato sauce; 1 cup green olives with pimento; cilantro

Description

A delicious and easy-to-prepare Beef Picadillo recipe bursting with vibrant flavors, featuring seasoned ground beef, sofrito, tomato sauce, and green olives. Perfect as a main course served over rice or as a filling for tacos, empanadas, or stuffed peppers.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Main Ingredients

- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium white onion, diced
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/4 cup sofrito
- 1 tablespoon adobo seasoning
- 1 packet sazon seasoning
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon dried, ground oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons finely minced garlic or garlic paste
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup green olives with pimento

Optional Garnish

cilantro

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Instructions

Cook Ground Beef and Onion: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and ground beef. Cook while breaking the beef apart and stirring often, until the meat is evenly browned and onions are tender.
Drain and Season: Drain the excess liquid or grease from the pan, then add the sofrito, adobo seasoning, sazon seasoning, cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir and cook for an additional minute to combine the seasonings evenly.
Add Garlic: Add the finely minced garlic or garlic paste to the skillet. Cook for two more minutes, stirring often, until the garlic becomes fragrant.
Simmer in Tomato Sauce: Lower the heat to low-medium, then pour in the tomato sauce. Stir well to incorporate, and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer to blend the flavors.
Incorporate Olives and Finish: Turn off the heat after simmering and stir in the green olives with pimento. Mix well to distribute the olives evenly.
Serve and Garnish: Serve the Beef Picadillo over rice, if desired, and garnish with fresh cilantro for added flavor and freshness.

Notes

Storage Options: This picadillo can be stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week in the fridge.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 250
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 850mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 8g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 20g
Cholesterol: 60mg