Easy Cuban Picadillo
A sweet & savory ground beef skillet.
Cuban Picadillo is one of those comforting meals that proves simple ingredients can create incredible flavor. Made with seasoned ground beef simmered in a rich tomato sauce with olives and warm spices, it’s a staple in many Cuban households and one of the country’s most recognizable home cooked dishes
Why you’ll love this recipe.
One-pot recipe that’s ready in 30 minutes.
Short, accessible ingredient list
Beginner friendly
Family friendly flavors
Sweet and savory flavors in one dish
Easy to serve as a complete meal
What is Cuban Picadillo?
Picadillo is a beloved dish found throughout Latin America, Spain and the Philippines, with each region developing its own version. Cuban picadillo is particularly known for combining ground beef with tomatoes, green olives, and raisins, creating its distinctive sweet and savory flavor.
The dish is deeply rooted in Cuban home cooking and is often served with white rice and other simple sides. While traditional recipes can include additional ingredients such as potatoes, peppers, or wine, this streamlined version focuses on the essential flavors while keeping preparation quick and approachable. It’s a wonderful example of how Cuban cooking balances contrasting flavors - savory beef tangy olives sweet raisins and warm spices - in one comforting dish.
Ingredient spotlight.
Ground beef makes this recipe quick to prepare and easy to work with. Lean ground beef works particularly well because it provides plenty of flavor without leaving the dish overly greasy.
Green olives are one of the ingredients that give Cuban picadillo its unmistakable character. Their salty, briny flavor cuts through the richness of the beef and creates a delicious contrast with the raisins.
Raisins are unexpected, but don’t skip them! They add small bursts of natural sweetness that balance the savory and salty ingredients.
Cumin & oregano give the picadillo its warm, earthy, aromatic character without requiring a complicated spice blend.
Smoked paprika isn’t essential to every traditional Cuban picadillo, but it adds beautiful color and a subtle smoky depth that works especially well in this simplified version.
Easy ingredient swaps.
You can substitute ground beef with turkey, chicken or pork
Raisins can definitely be swapped with golden raisins, currants, chopped dried apricots, or dried cranberries
Cilantro can be used instead of parsley if you prefer its flavor
Beginner tips for success.
Briefly cooking the spices in the hot beef and vegetables helps release their fat-soluble aromatic compounds. This is sometimes called blooming the spices, and even 30 seconds can make a noticeable difference in flavor.
It’s a small technique that can make simple pantry spices taste much more vibrant.
What to serve with Cuban Picadillo.
Cuban Picadillo is traditionally wonderful served with:
Fluffy white rice
Black beans and rice
Fried plantains
Tostones (plantain fritters)
Avocado slices
A simple green salad
Make it a complete meal.
Main: Easy Cuban Picadillo
Starch: White rice
Side: Black beans
Fresh element: Avocado or simple green salad
Dessert: Fresh pineapple or mango
Easy Cuban Picadillo
This Easy Cuban Picadillo is a classic one-pan dinner made with seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, olives, and raisins. Ready in about 35 minutes, it's a comforting, family-friendly meal that's perfect over rice.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup sliced green olives
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned. Drain any excess grease if necessary.
- Add the diced onion and bell pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and cook for about 30 seconds to bloom the spices.
- Add the diced tomatoes, olives and raisins. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and the flavors come together.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving. Serve hot over white rice.
Notes
Browning the beef well builds a deeper, richer flavor.
Raisins won't make the dish overly sweet. The6y simply balance the salty olives.
Simmering the mixture for at least 10 minutes helps the sauce develop.
Taste before serving, as the olives naturally add saltiness.
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