Ofelia's Cuban Picadillo

My best friend’s mom Ofelia makes this authentic Cuban dish called Picadillo. The first time I had it I just had to have her recipe. And now I am here to share her Cuban Picadillo recipe.

Contrary to popular belief, Cuban food is not spicy. Unlike Mexican food. Very rarely will you find a Cuban Recipe that uses Hot Peppers.

But don't let that fool you. Cuban food is packed full of flavor. And this Picadillo dish is one of the best authentic Cuban dishes you will ever have! Trust me, this one comes from a Chef of Cuban descent. I just wish I had more of her recipes to try and share!

💭 Recipe Tip

Don't you hate it when raisins get stuck together in a big clump? To unstick the raisins, wet your hands with a little water then work the raisins apart.

This particular beef dish is great over rice but you can also serve is over diced roasted potatoes. This meat is so versatile you can use it as a filling in tacos (ok maybe not authentic Cuban) or savory pastries like Cuban Papas Rellenas!

Now while this is my absolute favorite Picadillo recipe, I would be remiss if I didn't tell you about my Turkey Picadillo, Mexican Chicken Picadillo and Easy Beef Picadillo recipes.

For more awesome Cuban dishes, make sure you check out my collection of Cuban Recipes. A great use for this delicious Picadillo is my Authentic Cuban Papas Rellenas recipe.

🥃 Alcohol Warning

🐄 How to Handle Raw Beef

Thaw raw ground beef on a plate on the lowest shelf of the refrigerator, to avoid dripping onto other foods.
Keep raw and ready-to-eat meats separate.
Wash hands thoroughly before and after handling raw ground beef. Wash cutting boards, bowls, and utensils used to prepare raw ground beef with hot soapy water and rinse well.
Use separate plates to carry raw ground beef patties to the cooking area and cooked patties to the serving area.
Use a Thermometer to ensure Ground Beef Reaches the Safely Cooked Internal Temperature of 160°F.

📋 Gather your Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make this delicious Cuban Picadillo recipe (see recipe card for quantities): Olive Oil, Yellow Onion, Garlic Cloves, Green Bell Pepper, Tomatoes, Tomato Paste, White Wine, Raisins, Lean Ground Beef, Spanish Green Olives and Capers.

🥣 How to make Ofelia's Cuban Picadillo

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions, bell peppers, tomatoes and garlic and cook until onions become soft (about 4 to 7 minutes). This is called "sofrito" and is the base of the dish.
Add the lean ground beef and cook until browned.
Add the tomato paste, dry white wine, olives + 1 Tablespoon of brine, capers + 1 Tablespoon of brine, and raisins and cook covered over medium heat for 20 minutes.
Uncover, stir and simmer uncovered for an additional 15 to 20.
Best served over fluffy white rice. Garnish with chopped red pimientos and le Sueur Petit Pois (optional).

📖 Recipe

Ofelia's Cuban Picadillo

Ofelia's Delicious Authentic Cuban Picadillo is to die for! This is one recipe everyone needs to try at least once in their life.

4.67 from 6 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe

Prep TimePrep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook TimeCook Time 45 minutes mins

Total TimeTotal Time 1 hour hr

Course Main Course

Cuisine Cuban

Author Rodney

Servings 8

Calories 290 kcal

Ingredients

 

• 4 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 Yellow Onion, diced
• 8 Garlic Cloves, minced
• 1 Green Bell Pepper, finely diced
• 3 Tomatoes, diced
• 2 tablespoon Tomato Paste
• ⅓ Cup Dry White Wine
• ½ Cup Raisins
• 2 lbs Lean Ground Beef
• ½ Cup Spanish Green Olives, chopped
• ⅓ Cup Capers, chopped

Garnish (optional)

• Pimientos, chopped
• Le Sueur Petit Pois Peas

Instructions

 

• In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions, bell peppers, tomatoes and garlic and cook until onions become soft (about 4 to 7 minutes). This is called "sofrito" and is the base of the dish.
• Add the lean ground beef and cook until browned.
• Add the tomato paste, dry white wine, olives + 1 Tablespoon of brine, capers + 1 Tablespoon of brine, and raisins and cook covered over medium heat for 20 minutes.
• Uncover, stir and simmer uncovered for an additional 15 to 20.
• Best served over fluffy white rice. Garnish with chopped red pimientos and le sueur petit pois (optional).

Notes

→ Make sure you use LEAN Ground Beef for the best flavor.

→ Can also be served with a fried egg on top or with crispy fried cubed potatoes.

→ If you can't find Stuffed Green Olives you can substitute with "Manzanilla Olives" stuffed with minced pimiento.

→ You can substitute the Ground Beef for Ground Turkey.

→ Please take into consideration that some of the alcohol in this recipe may not completely burn off and the remains could be of significant concern to recovering alcoholics, parents, and others who have ethical or religious reasons for avoiding alcohol.

Nutrition

Calories: 290kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 25gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 446mgPotassium: 682mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 545IUVitamin C: 21.9mgCalcium: 36mgIron: 3.5mg

Nutritional information provided for this recipe is based on 1 serving. This information is an estimate and may vary based on several factors. If nutritional information is important to you and your diet, please verify this recipe with a Registered Dietitian.

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