Cuban Picadillo
Cuban Picadillo is a savory-sweet ground beef dish simmered with olives, raisins, and capers, perfect for weeknights.
Contents (2 sections)▾
Ingredients
- 500 g ground beef
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup bell pepper, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup green olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 2 tbsp capers, drained
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Steps
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and bell pepper, sautéing for about 5 minutes until softened, creating a flavorful sofrito base.
Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Then, add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula, and cook until browned, about 7-10 minutes.
Stir in the tomato sauce, olives, raisins, capers, cumin, and oregano. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together and the dish to thicken.
Why this works
This recipe showcases the balance of flavors that are characteristic of Cuban cuisine, particularly in Picadillo. Browning the ground beef in sofrito not only develops a deep, savory flavor but also infuses the dish with the aromatic essence of sautéed onions, peppers, and garlic. The combination of sweet raisins, tangy olives, and briny capers creates a complex flavor profile that captures the essence of savory, sweet, and briny notes. If the mixture seems too dry during simmering, add a splash of water or more tomato sauce to achieve the desired consistency. This dish exemplifies how diverse ingredients can come together to tell a story on your plate, making it a perfect representation of Cuban heritage and culinary history.