Mexican Picadillo is a heartwarming dish made with ground beef, potatoes, carrots, and warm spices like cumin and oregano, all simmered in a savory tomato sauce with beef broth. It’s topped off with a pop of freshness from frozen peas. Perfect for a comforting meal, this dish brings family traditions and love to the table.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef

• 1 small onion, diced

• 2 large potatoes, peeled and diced

• 2 large carrots, peeled and diced

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce

• 1/2 cup beef broth

• 1 tsp cumin

• 1/2 tsp dried oregano

• 1 bay leaf

• 1/2 cup frozen peas

• Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste

• Rice or tortillas for serving

Directions

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef. Season with salt and pepper and cook until the beef is barely pink. Drain the fat as needed.

2. Add the diced onion, potatoes, and carrots. Continue cooking until the vegetables are soft and the meat is cooked through.

3. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

4. Stir in the tomato sauce, beef broth, cumin, dried oregano, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer and cover, cooking for 10 minutes.

5. Remove the lid, stir in the frozen peas, and continue cooking uncovered until the potatoes are tender and most of the liquid has cooked down.

6. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.

7. Serve hot with tortillas or rice. Enjoy!

Nutrients

• Calories: 185 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 11g

• Protein: 11g

• Fat: 11g

  • Saturated Fat: 4g

• Cholesterol: 32mg

• Sodium: 112mg

• Potassium: 424mg

• Fiber: 4g

• Sugar: 5g

• Vitamin A: 3515 IU

• Vitamin C: 19mg

• Calcium: 41mg

• Iron: 2mg

The Foundation: Ground Beef and Vegetables

Ground beef is the primary protein in Picadillo, offering a rich, savory flavor that forms the base of the dish. It’s cooked with diced onions, potatoes, and carrots, which add a hearty texture and a natural sweetness that balances the richness of the beef. As the beef cooks with the vegetables, it absorbs the flavors, creating a delicious and satisfying dish.

Potatoes are a staple in Mexican cuisine, providing a starchy element that gives the dish its comforting, filling quality. They cook down into soft, tender bites that soak up the flavorful tomato sauce and broth, making them the perfect complement to the ground beef. Carrots, on the other hand, add a subtle sweetness and a vibrant color, enhancing the visual appeal of the dish while contributing to its depth of flavor.

The Spices: Aromatic and Warm

The magic of Mexican Picadillo lies in its aromatic spices. Cumin, one of the most important spices in Mexican cuisine, imparts a warm, earthy flavor to the dish. It complements the richness of the ground beef and the sweetness of the vegetables. Oregano adds a herbal note that balances the cumin, and a bay leaf adds an extra layer of depth, infusing the dish with a subtle, aromatic flavor as it simmers.

These spices are what make Picadillo stand out, giving it that distinctive flavor profile that is both comforting and complex. The spices, combined with the richness of the beef and the sweetness of the vegetables, create a savory symphony that makes the dish so special.

The Tomato Sauce and Beef Broth: The Heart of the Sauce

The tomato sauce and beef broth form the base of the Picadillo, creating a savory, flavorful sauce that coats the beef and vegetables. The tomato sauce provides acidity and richness, balancing the spices and giving the dish a pleasant tang. The beef broth, on the other hand, adds depth and richness, helping to create a hearty and satisfying sauce that ties everything together.

As the mixture simmers, the flavors meld, and the sauce thickens, enveloping the beef and vegetables in a savory coating. This saucy texture is what makes Picadillo so comforting, as it soaks into the potatoes and carrots, creating a rich, flavorful base.

Frozen Peas: A Fresh Pop of Color and Flavor

While Mexican Picadillo is a savory dish, the addition of frozen peas brings a pop of freshness and color to the plate. Peas offer a slight sweetness that complements the savory flavors of the dish and adds a nice textural contrast to the tender beef and vegetables. Their bright green color also adds a vibrant touch to the dish, making it even more visually appealing.

The peas are added at the end of the cooking process, allowing them to heat through without losing their bright color or texture. This final addition of peas elevates the dish, providing a burst of freshness that balances the richness of the other ingredients.

The Cooking Process: Simmering to Perfection

The cooking process for Mexican Picadillo is relatively simple but requires some time to allow the flavors to develop. First, the ground beef is browned, and the vegetables are added, cooking until they are softened. The garlic is then sautéed briefly to release its fragrance, and the tomato sauce and beef broth are added along with the spices. The dish is then brought to a simmer, allowing the flavors to meld together.

After simmering with the lid on for about 10 minutes, the peas are stirred in, and the dish continues to cook uncovered until the potatoes are tender, and most of the liquid has reduced. This helps concentrate the flavors and results in a rich, flavorful sauce that coats the meat and vegetables beautifully. The dish is then seasoned with salt and pepper to taste, ensuring that the flavors are perfectly balanced.

Serving Mexican Picadillo

Mexican Picadillo is incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. It is commonly served over a bed of fluffy rice, which helps soak up the savory sauce and adds a perfect balance to the dish. You can also serve it with warm tortillas for a more traditional approach, allowing you to scoop up the Picadillo with each bite.

The dish is rich and hearty enough to be a satisfying main course on its own, but it can also be paired with a side of beans or a simple salad for added texture and flavor. Mexican Picadillo is also great for meal prep, as it stores well and reheats beautifully, making it a convenient option for busy weeknights or preparing ahead of time for a family gathering.

Nutritional Profile of Mexican Picadillo

Mexican Picadillo is a balanced and nutritious dish, offering a good mix of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Each serving contains approximately 185 calories, making it a relatively light option that’s filling and satisfying. The dish provides 11 grams of protein from the ground beef, helping to keep you full and energized. The 11 grams of fat come mainly from the beef, with some added richness from the olive oil or cooking fat used during preparation.

The dish also provides 4 grams of fiber, mainly from the potatoes, carrots, and peas, which contribute to healthy digestion and help balance blood sugar levels. Mexican Picadillo is rich in vitamin A, thanks to the carrots, and provides a good amount of vitamin C from the peas and other vegetables, contributing to immune health.

The potassium content of 424 mg helps maintain proper fluid balance and supports heart health. With 19 mg of vitamin C, the dish provides a good boost to the immune system, and the iron content of 2 mg supports healthy blood circulation. Mexican Picadillo offers a nutritious and satisfying option for a hearty meal.

Why You Should Try Mexican Picadillo

Mexican Picadillo is an excellent dish to add to your weekly meal rotation. Its comforting, rich flavors are perfect for a cozy family dinner, and the hearty ingredients make it filling without being overly heavy. The combination of beef, vegetables, and spices creates a dish that is both satisfying and flavorful, and the addition of peas adds a touch of freshness and color that elevates the overall meal.

This dish is easy to prepare and is sure to become a family favorite. It can be served with rice or tortillas for a complete meal, and the leftovers are perfect for reheating throughout the week. Mexican Picadillo brings together the best of Mexican home cooking with its comforting, rich flavors and wholesome ingredients. If you’re looking for a dish that will warm you up and bring everyone to the table, Mexican Picadillo is the perfect choice.

Conclusion

Mexican Picadillo is a delightful, comforting dish that combines the savory richness of ground beef with the warmth of spices and the freshness of vegetables. It’s a versatile and satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion, from weeknight dinners to family gatherings. With its delicious combination of flavors and textures, this dish is a true representation of the heart of Mexican home cooking, bringing comfort and tradition to your table. Whether served over rice or with tortillas, Mexican Picadillo is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.