Authentic Cuban Picadillo
- 🫒 1-2 tablespoons olive oil, **Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil**
- 🥩 1 pound ground beef, **85% lean, Omaha Steaks**
- 🧅 1 medium onion, diced
- 🧂 1 pinch salt, **Morton Kosher Salt**
- 🌶️ Freshly ground black pepper
- 🌿 1 teaspoon ground cumin, **McCormick Ground Cumin**
- 🥄 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, **McCormick Ground Cinnamon**
- 🍃 2 bay leaves
- 🌶️ Cayenne pepper
- 🧄 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 🍷 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, **Pompeian Red Wine Vinegar**
- 🍅 1 can crushed tomatoes (14.5 oz), **Hunt’s Crushed Tomatoes**
- 💧 Splash of water
- 🍇 1/4 - 1/2 cup currants, **Sunsweet Currants**
- 🫒 1/2 - 1 cup pimento-stuffed green olives, sliced, **Lindsay Pimiento-Stuffed Olives**
A savory and slightly sweet ground beef dish, Picadillo is a hearty main course that balances sweet, savory, and tangy notes, perfect for pairing with white rice.
Indulge in the rich, comforting flavors of Cuban cuisine with this Authentic Cuban Picadillo recipe. A savory and slightly sweet ground beef dish, Picadillo is a hearty main course that balances sweet, savory, and tangy notes. Perfectly paired with white rice, this dish showcases the delicious complexity of a traditional Cuban meal with a personal touch.
Ingredients
🫒 1-2 tablespoons olive oil, Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil
🥩 1 pound ground beef, 85% lean, Omaha Steaks
🧅 1 medium onion, diced
🧂 1 pinch salt, Morton Kosher Salt
🌶️ Freshly ground black pepper
🌿 1 teaspoon ground cumin, McCormick Ground Cumin
🥄 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, McCormick Ground Cinnamon
🍃 2 bay leaves
🌶️ Cayenne pepper
🧄 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
🍷 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, Pompeian Red Wine Vinegar
🍅 1 can crushed tomatoes (14.5 oz), Hunt’s Crushed Tomatoes
💧 Splash of water
🍇 1/4 - 1/2 cup currants, Sunsweet Currants
🫒 1/2 - 1 cup pimento-stuffed green olives, sliced, Lindsay Pimiento-Stuffed Olives
Instructions
1- Sauté the Beef:
- Heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil in a stainless steel sauté pan over medium-high heat.
- Add 1 pound of ground beef to the pan and use a wooden flat-edged spatula to break the beef into small pieces as it cooks.
- Continue until the meat turns from pink to brown.
2- Cook the Onion:
- Stir in the diced onion and a pinch of salt.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes until the onions become translucent.
3- Add Spices:
- Add freshly ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 2 bay leaves, and cayenne pepper.
- Toast the spices for 2 minutes for enhanced flavor.
4- Sauté Garlic:
- Incorporate minced garlic and sauté for roughly 1 minute.
- Do not allow it to brown.
5- Deglaze the Pan:
- Deglaze with 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, scraping any caramelized bits off the pan’s bottom.
6- Add Tomatoes:
- Add the can of crushed tomatoes with a splash of water into the pan.
- Mix thoroughly.
7- Simmer with Currants:
- Stir in 1/4 - 1/2 cup currants.
- Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the pan.
8- Cook Until Tender:
- Allow the mixture to simmer for 15-20 minutes, ensuring the beef reaches desired tenderness.
9- Incorporate Olives:
- Add sliced pimento-stuffed green olives gently, stirring them in.
- Cover and simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes to meld the flavors.
10- Adjust Seasoning:
- Taste and adjust seasoning, considering the added saltiness from the olives.
Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
Cook Time: 36-49 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 46-64 minutes
Servings: 4
Equipment: Stainless steel sauté pan with a long handle and clear glass lid, wooden flat-edged spatula, stainless steel ladle-like serving spoon, gas range with black grates
Cooking Tips
- "Cook and Crumble" for fine meat texture.
- Toast spices for enhanced aromatic flavor.
- Add garlic last to prevent burning.
- Currants add a texture balance over raisins.
- Stir olives gently to keep pimentos intact.
#picadillo #cubancuisine #groundbeef #savorysweet #traditionaldish #comfortfood
Comments