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Picadillo — Spiced Ground Beef

Picadillo

Spiced Ground Beef

Ground beef simmered with roasted tomatoes, diced potatoes and carrots, and a sweet-savory hit of raisins and olives — the classic taco and empanada filling of Mexican home kitchens.

55 min
Serves 6
Family RecipeWeeknight
Focus

✦ Antes de Empezar

Before you cook

Do I have to include the raisins and olives?

No — they're listed as optional in the classic recipe. The picadillo is still balanced and savory without them, though the sweet-briny contrast they add is traditional.

Ingredientes· 13
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  • 1 1/2 pounds (680 g)Ground beef, or half beef and pork
  • 1 tablespoonOil
  • 1/2White onion, chopped
  • 2Garlic cloves
  • 4Roma tomatoes, roasted
  • 2 mediumPotatoes, diced small
  • 2Carrots, diced small
  • 1 cupPeas
  • 1/4 teaspoonGround cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoonCumin, optional
  • 1 1/2 teaspoonsSalt
  • 1 cupBroth
  • 1/3 cup eachRaisins and olives, optional

Instrucciones

6 pasos
  1. Dora la carne

    Brown the meat

    Brown the ground meat in oil, breaking it into small pieces. Drain excess fat if necessary.

  2. Sofríe la cebolla

    Cook the onion

    Add the onion and cook until translucent.

  3. Prepara la salsa

    Make the sauce

    Blend the tomatoes, garlic, cloves, salt, and broth, then pour it over the meat.

  4. Añade las verduras

    Add the vegetables

    Add the potatoes and carrots. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.

  5. Añade los chícharos

    Add the peas

    Add the peas and the optional raisins and olives. Cook uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and most of the liquid has evaporated.

  6. Sirve

    Serve

    Use as a main dish or as a filling for tacos, chiles, and empanadas.