Mexican Picadillo Recipe

You’re going to love today’s recipe for Mexican picadillo. It’s a simple, flavorful and cheap meal that you can serve over rice or even use as a stuffing for empanadas or gorditas

What is Picadillo Made of?

Picadillo is a super easy dish made of ground beef, diced potatoes, carrots and spices.

Is Picadillo Spicy?

Picadillo can be either spicy or mild. It’s totally up to you. If you look at the ingredient list down below you can see I have listed a jalapeno and two cans of El Pato hot tomato sauce.

To me it really isn’t even that spicy. However if you are especially sensitive to spicy food then I recommend substituting green bell pepper for the jalapeno. I would also suggest using regular tomato sauce instead of a hot tomato sauce.

Mexican Picadillo Ingredients

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1/2 of a white onion (diced)
• 1 garlic clove (minced)
• 2 potatoes (diced)
• 1 whole carrot (diced)
• 1 jalapeno (diced) (optional)
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• salt to taste
• pepper to taste
• 2 cans of el pato hot tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup of water
• cilantro (optional)

Mexican Picadillo Instructions

Make sure you have all the vegetables diced before you begin cooking.

It just makes things easier and faster.

Now brown the ground beef over medium high heat in a large pot.

Once browned transfer to a large paper towel lined bowl to absorb all the grease.

But make sure to leave about 2 tablespoons worth of grease in the pot.

I used 73% lean and 27% ground beef so mine left a lot of grease.

Now add the onion, garlic and jalapeno to the pot.

Saute for a few minutes over medium heat.

Then add the potatoes, carrots and spices. Stir.

Next add the ground beef, tomato sauce and water. Stir well.

This is the tomato sauce that I use.

It is a hot tomato sauce.

But honestly the picadillo didn’t taste very spicy.

My kids were still able to eat it.

But if you are especially sensitive to spicy foods you can always use a regular tomato sauce.

Bring picadillo to a boil over medium high heat then cover and reduce heat to medium low.

Simmer for about 40 minutes or until the vegetables are fork tender.

Garnish the cooked picadillo with chopped cilantro if desired.

Serve the picadillo over some white rice.

Mexican Picadillo

Picadillo is a simple and comforting meal that the whole family can enjoy.The leftovers make for a great lunch the next day.

If you liked my Mexican picadillo recipe then you should also give Puerto Rican picadillo a try!

Here are some other dinner recipes you may enjoy

• Beef enchilada casserole
• Stuffed bell peppers
• Pepper steak and rice