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Puerto Rican Picadillo Recipe

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4.2 from 61 reviews

Puerto Rican Picadillo is a flavorful, hearty ground beef dish infused with the vibrant flavors of bell peppers, garlic, sofrito, and traditional Puerto Rican seasonings. This savory stew combines ground beef with tomato sauce, olives, and raisins, making it a perfect dish served over rice or used as a filling for empanadas and tacos.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • adobo, to taste (see note 1)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • ½ green bell pepper, chopped
  • ½ red bell pepper, chopped
  • ½ yellow bell pepper, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons garlic, minced
  • 4 tablespoons sofrito
  • 1 packet Sazon seasoning (see note 2)
  • 2 teaspoons oregano
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 14 oz tomato sauce
  • ⅓ cup raisins
  • ⅓ cup pimento-stuffed olives, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped
  • adobo, to taste (see note 2)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Vegetables: Chop the onion and all three bell peppers into small, even pieces. Mince the garlic and chop the cilantro finely. Set aside.
  2. Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and heat until shimmering. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring and breaking it apart, until fully browned and no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes. Season with adobo to taste as it cooks.
  3. Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables: Add the chopped onion, bell peppers, and garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and the onion becomes translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Add Sofrito and Seasonings: Stir in the 4 tablespoons of sofrito, Sazon seasoning, oregano, and cumin. Cook for another 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  5. Incorporate Tomato Sauce and Simmer: Pour in the 14 ounces of tomato sauce, mixing well. Add the raisins and sliced pimento-stuffed olives, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let the mixture simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  6. Finish with Cilantro and Adjust Seasonings: Remove from heat and stir in the chopped cilantro. Taste the picadillo and add more adobo if needed to enhance the flavor.
  7. Serve: Serve the picadillo hot over white rice, with warm tortillas, or as a filling for empanadas or stuffed peppers.

Notes

  • Adobo seasoning is a blend of garlic powder, salt, pepper, and other spices commonly used in Puerto Rican cooking; adjust according to taste preferences.
  • Sazon seasoning often contains annatto, garlic, and herbs for color and flavor; check packet ingredients if avoiding additives.
  • For a milder version, reduce or omit the cumin and oregano.
  • This dish can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheats well.

Find it online: https://justsosavory.com/puerto-rican-picadillo-recipe/