The Puerto Rican Picadillo Recipe You Need to Try

The best thing about this Puerto Rican picadillo recipe is that it's super easy to make! It can be served as a filling for tacos or if you are trying to cut back on carbs, serve it alone with a side of veggies.  Because this Puerto Rican food is so versatile, it is a great family recipe.  With just a few tweaks, everyone sitting at the table will be happy.

Puerto Rican style picadillo is mainly distinguished by being made out of minced or ground meat (carne molida) . In America, picadillo is similar to chili con carne (chili with meat).

It is a traditional Latin dish with spiced ground meat, sauteed veggies, and tomato sauce.  Each Latin country has its own take on how they make this dish.  How it is prepared varies on the availability of local ingredients.  

In Puerto Rico, the meaty filling is often put into savory pastries known as piononos or used as a filling for papas rellenas.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb. ground beef or turkey
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 tablespoons sofrito
• 1 large onion (diced)
• 5 cloves garlic (diced)
• 1 large red bell pepper (diced)
• 1 packet Sazon
• 1 tsp. Adobo seasoning
• 8 oz. can of tomato sauce
• 1/4 c. pimento-stuffed green olives (sliced)
• 1/4 c. capers
• 1/4 c. water
• Salt to taste

• Cilantro (garnish)
• Optional ingredients:  Add a few bay leaves and remove before serving. 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Pre-heat a large skillet over medium heat to medium-high heat.
2. Add olive oil, onion, garlic, and bell pepper.  Sautee until the onion is translucent (about 5 minutes)
3. Add the sofrito to the veggies and continue sauteeing for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.
4. Add the ground beef to the skillet.  Cook, crumble, and occasionally stir until browned (about 6 -10 minutes)
5. Add Sazon, adobo seasoning, tomato sauce, olives, capers, and water to the meat mixture.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 2 minutes.
6. Serve with white rice, beans, as a taco filling, or alone.  Yum!
7. Garnish with cilantro.

WHAT SUBSTITUTIONS CAN I MAKE?

Ground beef- Ground turkey or ground chicken. 

Olive oil- Any type of vegetable oil.

White onion- Red, yellow or green onions.

Bell peppers- Anaheim or Poblano peppers.

Water- Chicken broth.

Tomato sauce- Tomato paste.

Adobo seasoning- Caribbean curry or cajun seasoning.

Sazon seasoning- Ground curry.

HOW ELSE CAN I MAKE IT?

Spicy- Add chipotle sauce, chili powder, cayenne pepper, or your favorite red pepper powder.

Kid Friendly- Add sweet raisins to make it more fun.  You can also use this dish as a filling for a cheesy quesadilla or add it on top of some pasta.

Deluxe- Add a dollop of sour cream, some green onions, and a cheese of your choice.

Low-carb- This is already a low-carb recipe, but if you prefer to eat with a side, I would choose a low-carb option.  You can substitute white rice with cauliflower rice, avocado, or sauteed zucchini. 

WHAT EQUIPMENT DO I NEED?

Skillet- Any kind of a large skillet or large pan you have available.

Knife and cutting board- For food prep.

Measuring cups and spoons- For measuring ingredients.

Stovetop- For your heat source.

Large spoon- For stirring and serving.  Many prefer using a wooden spoon.

HOW DO I STORE LEFTOVERS?

Refrigerator- Keep the picadillo in a shallow airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Freezer- Place in a shallow airtight container or sealed bag and store in the freezer for 2-3 months.

GOT ANY HELPFUL TIPS?

For best results, make sure to taste test this dish before adding salt.  It contains capers and green olives.  Both of these ingredients add a salty taste.  You may only need to add a little bit of salt.

FAQ

What is the difference between Mexican and Puerto Rican picadillo?

Picadillo has many different variations across Latin American countries.  In Mexico, this meaty dish is served spicy with potatoes and carrots.  Puerto Rican recipes for picadillo are less spicy and use it mainly as a filling for pastries.

Can I cook Puerto Rican picadillo in a slow cooker?

Cooking this recipe in a slow cooker is great for stress-free weeknight dinners.  Simply sautee the veggies until onions are translucent in 2 tablespoons of olive oil.  Next, brown and crumble the ground meat.  Add the meat mixture and the remaining ingredients to the crockpot.  Cook on a low setting for 6-7 hours or on a high setting for 3-4 hours.

Can I cook these in a pressure cooker?

Yes.  Add two tablespoons of olive oil and veggies to the pressure cooker.  Sautee until the onions are translucent.  Next, add the ground meat.  Brown and crumble.  Add the remaining ingredients. Cover, seal the lid, and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. Use natural or quick release and open the lid.

Why is this a great recipe for diabetics?

Picadillo is a low-carb dish.  It's full of protein and nutrient-dense vegetables.  As a diabetic, you can have a healthy serving of picadillo without fear of raising your blood sugar.

What are some sides that pair well with Picadillo?

There are so many options for easy sides for this dish!  First, let's start with some rice options.  You can serve it with white rice, plantain rice, or Spanish rice.  Your favorite sauteed vegetables will also go great alongside this.  

FOOD SAFETY

• Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with a high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove.

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.