I started making this Appetizing Cuban Picadillo Recipe when a friend sent me a delicious recipe shared with her by a Cuban American coworker. My very busy friend loved that it was quick enough to make on a weeknight after work but was still interesting and flavorful. I have added a few things to the original recipe, particularly after reading the May/June Cook’s Illustrated that fortuitously arrived the other day. I think I’ve made the flavours a little more complex without increasing the cost or workload too much.

Appetizing Cuban Picadillo Recipe
This Cuban picadillo recipe is a comfort food I make on very special occasions. This is such a flavourful dish youm ust try of you haven't tried Cuban food.
Ingredients
1 large potatoes - peeled and diced
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion - diced
1 large green pepper (green capsicum) - diced
1 pound ground beef (minced beef) - lean
½ pound ground pork (minced pork)
6 cloves garlic - minced
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon Kosher salt
8 ounces Neapolitan Sauce or Pasta sauce Southern Hemisphere (Tomato Sauce in North America)
14 ½ ounces tomato - fire-roasted and diced
3 small bay leaf (bay leaves)
5 ounces green olives - with pimientos, drained and sliced
½ cup raisins
2 medium lime juice - juiced
15 ounces black beans - heated
1 cup white rice - cooked
1 medium avocado - sliced (optional)
Instructions
- Heat your oil on medium-high in a large skillet. Fry potato until golden. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- See that you have about two tablespoons of oil and return the pan to medium heat. Add onion and pepper. Season with oregano, cumin, cinnamon, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Add the garlic and stir until aromatic, about 30 seconds.
- Add the meat and cook until the meat is browned.
- Add potatoes, tomatoes (with juices), tomato sauce, bay leaves, and raisins. Simmer on low heat for 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat and incorporate olives and lime juice.
- Serve atop rice and beans and top with optional avocado.
Nutrition
Calories: 695kcalCarbohydrates: 69gProtein: 33gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 76mgSodium: 798mgPotassium: 1336mgFiber: 15gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1090IUVitamin C: 46mgCalcium: 126mgIron: 6mg
How did this recipe turn out for you?We’re eager to hear your thoughts!