Easy Mexican Picadillo Recipe

This authentic picadillo recipe brings the rich flavors of Mexican comfort food straight to your kitchen. This hearty dish combines ground beef with tender potatoes and aromatic seasonings for a satisfying meal that’s perfect any day of the week.

What Makes Mexican Picadillo Special

Mexican picadillo stands out as one of the most beloved comfort foods across Latin America. This traditional dish combines seasoned ground meat, diced potatoes, and vegetables for a hearty, flavorful meal.

Key Features:

• Rich, savory flavors from simple seasonings
• Quick 30-minute cooking time
• Affordable, everyday ingredients

The beauty of this ground beef picadillo lies in its versatility. Every Mexican region has its own twist on the classic recipe.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Picadillo

Creating an authentic Mexican picadillo requires simple, fresh ingredients that pack maximum flavor:

1. Main Components:

• 1 pound ground beef (or substitute with turkey, chicken, or pork)
• 8 ounces yellow potatoes, diced
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 large fresh tomatoes, chopped
• 1 jalapeño pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

2. Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon Mexican oregano
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and black pepper to taste

3. For Cooking:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3/4 cup beef stock

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create perfect Mexican picadillo:

1. Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat
2. Add potatoes, onion, and jalapeño peppers to the hot oil
3. Cook vegetables for 5 minutes until they begin to soften
4. Stir in garlic and ground beef to the vegetable mixture
5. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon and brown for 5 minutes
6. Add tomatoes, beef stock, and all seasonings to the pan
7. Bring mixture to a boil over high heat
8. Reduce heat to simmer and let it cook gently
9. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally
10. Check doneness at 15 minutes and adjust seasoning as needed
11. Serve immediately over rice or with warm tortillas

The cooking process creates layers of flavor that make this dish truly special.

Creative Serving Ideas

Traditional Mexican picadillo shines when served over fluffy white rice or with warm corn tortillas. But this versatile dish offers many serving possibilities:

1. Classic Presentations:

• Serve over steamed white rice with fresh lime wedges
• Wrap in warm flour or corn tortillas for hearty tacos
• Top with fresh cilantro and your favorite hot sauce
• Garnish with diced onions and jalapeño slices
• Add crumbled queso fresco for extra richness

2. Creative Applications:

• Use as a filling for colorful stuffed bell peppers
• Layer over crispy tortilla chips for loaded nachos
• Stuff into empanadas for a handheld treat
• Fill burritos with rice and beans for a complete meal
• Top baked potatoes for a fusion twist

3. Party and Family Ideas:

• Set up a taco bar with various toppings
• Serve in lettuce cups for a lighter option
• Create picadillo quesadillas with melted cheese
• Make breakfast hash topped with fried eggs

Recipe Variations and Customizations

The traditional picadillo recipe welcomes many delicious variations. Consider these authentic additions:

1. Regional Variations:

• Add blanched almonds and golden raisins for Cuban-style influence
• Include green olives and capers for Mediterranean flair
• Incorporate diced carrots and green peas for extra vegetables
• Use ancho or guajillo peppers for deeper, earthy flavor
• Add bay leaves during simmering for aromatic depth
• Include fresh parsley for brightness and color

2. Meat Alternatives:

• Ground turkey creates a lighter, leaner version
• Chicken picadillo offers a different protein option
• Ground pork adds rich, savory depth
• Mix beef and pork for complex flavor layers
• Use ground lamb for a unique twist

3. Vegetable Substitutions:

• Sweet potatoes provide natural sweetness and vibrant color
• Rutabaga adds earthy flavor and hearty texture
• Bell peppers create a milder heat level
• Add corn kernels for sweetness and crunch
• Include diced zucchini for extra vegetables

Storage and Meal Prep Tips

This picadillo recipe makes excellent leftovers and freezes beautifully for future meals:

1. Refrigerator Storage:

• Store cooled picadillo in airtight containers
• Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days
• Reheat in a hot pan with a splash of broth
• Add fresh herbs when reheating for brightness

2. Freezer Storage:

• Freeze portions in vacuum-sealed bags for up to 3 months
• Use freezer-safe containers for easy portion control
• Label with date and contents for organization
• Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating

3. Meal Prep Ideas:

• Make double batches for easy weeknight dinners
• Portion into individual containers for grab-and-go lunches
• Freeze in ice cube trays for small portions
• Prepare components ahead and assemble when ready to cook

Nutrition and Health Benefits

This protein-rich picadillo provides substantial nutrition in every serving. The combination of lean ground beef, vegetables, and minimal oil creates a balanced meal that satisfies hunger while delivering essential nutrients.

Each serving contains approximately 361 calories with 22 grams of protein, making it an excellent choice for active families and those seeking filling comfort food.

Why This Recipe Works

The success of this Mexican picadillo comes from its simple preparation method and quality ingredients. The slow simmering process allows the potatoes to absorb all the savory flavors while the meat becomes tender and flavorful.

The balanced seasoning blend of paprika, cumin, and Mexican oregano creates the authentic taste that makes this dish so memorable. These common spices are easily found in most kitchens, making this recipe accessible for home cooks.

This easy picadillo recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavors with minimal effort. Whether you’re feeding a family or meal prepping for the week, this traditional Mexican dish provides comfort, nutrition, and incredible taste in every bite.

Easy Mexican Picadillo

This authentic Mexican picadillo recipe combines seasoned ground beef with tender potatoes and aromatic vegetables for a hearty, flavorful meal. Perfect served over rice or with warm tortillas, this traditional comfort food is ready in just 30 minutes and packed with rich, savory flavors.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Calories: 361

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 8 ounces yellow potatoes about 3-4 small, diced
• 1 medium yellow onion chopped
• 1 whole jalapeño pepper chopped
• 1 whole serrano pepper chopped (optional, for extra heat)
• 2 cloves garlic chopped
• 1 pound ground beef can substitute with turkey, chicken, or pork
• 2 large tomatoes chopped
• 3/4 cup beef stock or chicken/vegetable stock

Seasonings

• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon Mexican oregano
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper or to taste

For Serving

• 2 cups cooked rice or warm tortillas
• 1 whole lime cut into wedges
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
• 1 bottle hot sauce your favorite brand

Equipment

• Large skillet or pan
• Wooden spoon
• Cutting board
• Chef’s knife

Method

 

1. Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat.
2. Add potatoes, onion, and jalapeño peppers to the hot oil and cook for 5 minutes until they begin to soften.
3. Stir in garlic and ground beef. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon and brown for 5 minutes. The meat doesn’t need to be fully cooked at this stage.
4. Add tomatoes, beef stock, and all seasonings to the pan and stir to combine.
5. Bring mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to simmer.
6. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender and flavors have melded together.
7. Check for doneness at 15 minutes and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
8. Serve immediately over cooked rice or with warm tortillas, garnished with lime wedges, fresh cilantro, and hot sauce.

Notes

Heat Level: This recipe has medium heat, but you can easily adjust by adding more jalapeños or using milder bell peppers.

Customization: Traditional variations include adding blanched almonds, raisins, green olives, or carrots for different flavors and textures.

Storage: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in a pan with a splash of broth.

Meat Substitutions: Ground turkey, chicken, or pork work well as alternatives to beef.