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If you’re looking for a simple, one-pan dish that’s packed with flavor, this easy picadillo recipe is the answer! It’s a classic recipe that’s all about bold, savory flavors, perfect for any night when you want a home-cooked meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
The coolest part of this dish is that many cultures make it. This recipe is more in line with how Puerto Rican picadillo is prepared.
My husband absolutely loves when I make this picadillo, so I make it at least once a week. Although I cook all the time, it’s great to have something as easy as this dish to make when I don’t feel like cooking really.
If you love this one-pan recipe check out my One-Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper.
Ingredients for easy picadillo recipe
- Olive oil: Adds richness and helps sauté the vegetables until soft.
- Onion, cubanelle pepper, and red bell pepper: These veggies bring sweetness and crunch to the base of the dish.
- Garlic: Provides depth and aroma, making the dish more flavorful.
- Ground beef: Hearty and filling, it’s the protein base that makes picadillo so satisfying.
- Sazon & Adobo: Traditional seasonings that add bold, savory flavor to the dish.
- Sofrito: A blend of peppers, garlic, onions, and cilantro that gives the picadillo its signature taste.
- Tomato sauce: Adds richness and creates a savory, saucy consistency.
- Green olives: Salty and briny, they add a unique, bright flavor that contrasts perfectly with the beef.
- Cilantro: Freshens up the dish and adds a pop of color.
How to make easy picadillo
To make Puerto Rican picadillo start by heating olive oil in a skillet and sauté onions, cubanelle, and red bell peppers until soft. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
Add the ground beef, breaking it up as it browns. Season with sazon, adobo, and sofrito. Pour in tomato sauce, water, and olives, bringing everything to a boil before reducing the heat.
Let it simmer for 15-20 minutes until thickened.
Stir in chopped cilantro, serve over rice, and enjoy!
The full written recipe with notes is below on the recipe card.
Commonly Asked Questions
Picadillo is traditionally served with white rice and fried plantains. You can also add a side of black beans or use it as a filling for tacos or empanadas.
This dish keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container. It’s perfect for meal prep!
Yes! You can substitute the ground beef with lentils, crumbled tofu, or a plant-based meat alternative. The bold flavors from the sazon, adobo, and sofrito will still shine through.
Easy Picadillo Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- ½ c onion, diced
- ⅓ c cubanelle pepper , diced
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- ⅓ c red bell pepper , diced
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 1/2 teaspoon sazon
- 1 teaspoon adobo
- 1 tsp dried oregano , or Italian seasoning
- ¼ c sofrito
- 8 oz tomato sauce, can
- ½ c water
- 1 c Green olives stuffed with pimento peppers
- 1 tbsp Chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Once hot, add the olive oil, onion, and peppers. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add in the ground beef and break up using a spoon. Season with the sazon, adobo, oregano and sofrito. Stir to incorporate all the seasonings. Turn the heat to medium high and cook the beef until it is browned, stirring occasionally.
- Once browned, add in the tomato sauce, water and olives. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to medium low. Let simmer for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- When done, the liquid should have reduced a bit, stir in the cilantro.
- Serve with white rice and plantain. Eat and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I made this for my meal prep last week and it was delicious! Super simple easy to follow recipe with great flavors, I’ll def be including this in my monthly meal rotation.
I’m so glad!!