Mexican Dish With Ground Beef and Potatoes

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Picadillo recipe for authentic Mexican style ground beef and potatoes! Simmered with fragrant onions, tomatoes and spices, this easy dish can be whipped up in less than 3o minutes!

Mexican Picadillo

Picadillo is one of the basics of Latin cuisine. Nearly every country has their own version, and there are variations within the country and also from cook to cook.

I have a really popular recipe for Puerto Rican Picadillo if you'd like to try another style, but today I'm sharing my grandma's Mexican Picadillo.

You may see it called carne molida con papas.

Picadillo is such a staple and versatile dish! I like to make a double (or triple) batch and freeze the extra for quick meals later on.

At the end of this post you'll find the basic recipe.

It's easy to customize to your preferences and availability of ingredients.

Continue reading for more detailed information on substitutions, additions and ways to use picadillo.

Ingredients and substitutes:

• Ground beef – I prefer lean ground beef, or drain the excess grease from regular ground beef. You can also substitute ground turkey for a healthier version
• Ground cumin – not everyone puts cumin in their picadillo or as much as we do. For my Tejas ancestors it's a must.
• Onion – white or yellow preferred
• Garlic cloves – you can substitute jarred minced garlic or garlic powder
• Tomato sauce – grandma used tomato sauce most of the year, and 3 fresh tomatoes in the summer. You could also use canned tomatoes (drained)
• Potato – grandma used to add extra potatoes to stretch the dish. They're filling and more economical than meat
• Water – you can also use beef stock or add a Knorr chicken bouillon (or beef) for extra flavor

Picadillo Additions:

• 1-2 cups of vegetables such as peas, carrots, zucchini or green beans. Use your favorite or whatever is available locally. Add them along with the potatoes.
• 1 or 2 jalapeño or serrano peppers, finely chopped. The peppers don't add a lot of spice after they've been simmered, but they do add tons of flavor.
• 1 bay leaf, add while simmering for extra dimension of flavor.
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, sprinkle over meat and stir well for 1 minute before adding the liquid. Grandma added flour to nearly everything she made! I don't think it's traditional, but it thickens things up which is how she liked it.

How to serve picadillo:

The easiest way to serve is alongside white rice or Mexican rice.

Serve with warm tortillas (homemade flour tortillas are the best!).

We like the scoop method (no silverware necessary) where you tear off pieces of the tortilla and scoop up the meat, but you could also fill them like tacos.

Serve with pinto beans or calabacitas con queso.

Use as a filling for tacos, burritos or gorditas.

Or, serve over pasta with cotija cheese for an extra tasty dinner!

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs ground beef
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• Generous pinch of dried oregano
• 8oz can tomato sauce* [see notes]
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 cup water or beef broth
• Cilantro, for garnish
• Tortillas or cooked rice, for serving

Instructions

1. Heat a skillet on medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break up into small crumbles.
2. While beef is browning add salt, pepper, cumin and oregano and continue cooking until no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in onion, garlic, tomato and potatoes.
4. Add water and bring to a boil. Lower heat to a simmer, cover with lid and cook for 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are soft and cooked through.
5. Garnish with cilantro and serve with warmed tortillas or rice.

Notes

Substitute options: 3 fresh tomatoes (or canned), diced

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 451 Total Fat: 21g Saturated Fat: 8g Trans Fat: 1g Unsaturated Fat: 10g Cholesterol: 101mg Sodium: 849mg Carbohydrates: 29g Fiber: 3g Sugar: 3g Protein: 35g

Nutritional information provided is an estimate only. Please consult the labels of ingredients you use for more accurate results.

Other recipes you should try!

Carne Guisada Mexican Style

Carnitas

Elote

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Source: https://www.kitchengidget.com/2021/01/23/picadillo-recipe-mexican/

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