Picadillo from Cuba

Picadillo has its origins in Spain, but it has been adapted and modified over the years by Cuban cooks to suit local tastes and ingredients. Picadillo is a versatile dish that can be made with various ingredients depending on regional preferences and what’s available. The base typically consists of ground meat (often beef), onions, garlic, peppers, tomatoes, and spices, but additional ingredients such as olives, raisins, capers, slivered almonds or potatoes may be included to add depth of flavor.

Like many traditional dishes, picadillo is often associated with feelings of comfort and nostalgia. It’s a dish that many Cubans grew up eating, often prepared by their grandmothers or mothers.

We hope you enjoy this delicious Cuban dish as much as we do and that it connects you in a deeper way with our extended Cuban family. Learn how we’re helping children in Cuba at www.forwardedge.org/cuba

Picadillo (Cuba)

Forward Edge International
Picadillo is considered one of the staple dishes in Cuban cuisine. It's a dish that many Cubans grew up eating, often prepared by their grandmothers or mothers, and it evokes memories of home and family. Picadillo is incredibly versatile and ingredients can easily be swapped out depending on what's available. Connect with our Cuba program by making this delicious dish and learn how we're helping children in Cuba at www.forwardedge.org/cuba.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 white onion, peeled and diced
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 2 tablespoons sofrito
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 8 ounces tomato sauce
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 packet or 2 teaspoons Sazón seasoning with cilantro and achiote
  • 1/2 teaspoon Adobo seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 tablespoons dried raisins
  • 8-10 pimiento stuffed olives, sliced into rings
  • 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Cooked white rice to accompany

Instructions
 

  • Heat a sauté pan on medium heat. Add the oil, veggies and the sofrito. Saute for 3-5 minutes, until the veggies soften
  • Add the ground beef into the pan, break it up with a spoon and cook until it's no longer pink.
  • Season the cooked ground beef with the adobo, sazón, tomato sauce, cumin and oregano. Stir the mixture together to distribute the spices.
  • Add 1/4 cup of water, the raisins and the olives, then lower the heat to simmer, let the mixture stew together, uncovered. After 10 minutes, turn off the heat and stir in the fresh cilantro. Cover and cook for 5 more minutes. The picadillo should be saucy, but not soupy. If there's too much liquid, cook until it's to your desired consistency.
  • Serve hot with rice.

Notes

Some recipes add slivered almonds for crunch.
Keyword authentic, beef, comfort food, cuba, dinner, easy, entree, family-friendly, flavorful, ground beef, one-pot meals, picadillo, recipe
post mission trip

Continuing Your Mission Back Home

I’m home from a life-changing mission trip. Now what? A short-term mission trip is an intense experience, in more ways than one. In the space of a week to 10 days, you’re immersed with a new group of people, develop a routine and learn new tasks and skills. You’ve also

Go to Blog »
community

Pilau with Beef Recipe from Kenya

Pilau with beef is a traditional and iconic dish in Kenyan cuisine. It’s often served during special occasions and celebrations such as weddings, birthdays, and holidays. But we have found it to make for an amazing dinner any time of the week. There is much to celebrate at our program

Go to Blog »
From our CEO

Life Advice Part 1: Remember Whose You Are

Tim Ainley, CEO of Forward Edge, recently shared an inspiring message at a graduation commencement ceremony that is a timely and impactful message for us all. But, especially for recent graduates, young adults, and teens, these words could be the guiding principles you need as you step into a world

Go to Blog »
help children

Free To Love

When you think of the word freedom, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind?  Free speech? Pickets and rallies? How about a soldier in uniform, fireworks, or even the American flag?  As Westerners, the idea of freedom often leads us to the rights of every individual. Because every

Go to Blog »

Pikliz Recipe from Haiti

Pikliz is a spicy, tangy condiment made primarily from pickled cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, onions, and Scotch bonnet peppers, seasoned with vinegar and spices. It

Read More »
Transform a Child's Life Through Sponsorship

Gyebaleki (hello), my name is Sulaiman

  • location

    Uganda

  • 22 yrs. old

    08-16-2003

Entered the Program: March 2020

Sulaiman lives with his single mother and four siblings in a three-room
house with no electricity or running water. The borehole the
family uses is 2 kilometers from home and Sulaiman has to walk
everyday to fetch water. The family uses firewood to cook and boil
water for drinking and has a three-bulb solar panel for lighting, as
well as an outdoor toilet. 

Sponsorship Level What's this?

Three $38 sponsorships are needed to cover the complete holistic care of one child. Cover one, two, or three sponsorships.