Description
This authentic Mexican Picadillo recipe features ground beef cooked with aromatic spices, tomatoes, and tender potatoes. It’s a hearty, flavorful dish perfect for serving with warm tortillas or rice, making it a comforting and satisfying meal for any day of the week.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs ground beef
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- Generous pinch of dried oregano
- 8 oz can tomato sauce
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 cup water or beef broth
- Cilantro, for garnish
- Tortillas or cooked rice, for serving
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it into small crumbles using a spatula or spoon.
- Add Seasonings: As the beef begins to brown, sprinkle in the salt, black pepper, ground cumin, and dried oregano. Continue cooking and stirring for about 5 minutes until the beef is fully cooked and no longer pink.
- Sauté Aromatics: Stir in the chopped onion and minced garlic with the cooked beef, letting them soften slightly and release their flavors.
- Add Tomatoes and Potatoes: Pour in the tomato sauce and add the diced potatoes. Stir thoroughly to combine all the ingredients.
- Simmer the Mixture: Add the water or beef broth to the skillet and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cover with a lid. Allow it to cook for 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender and cooked through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro. Serve the picadillo warm with tortillas or cooked rice as desired.
Notes
- For added depth of flavor, you can use beef broth instead of water.
- Tomato sauce can be substituted with crushed tomatoes for a chunkier texture.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and spice levels.
- Picadillo can be made vegetarian by substituting ground beef with plant-based mince and using vegetable broth.
- This dish pairs well with black beans and a fresh green salad for a balanced meal.
