Description
Picadillo Con Papa is a flavorful traditional Mexican main course featuring ground beef simmered with tender diced potatoes, tomatoes, olives, and warm spices. This hearty skillet dish is perfect served with warm tortillas, rice, or beans, offering a comforting and protein-rich meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced into small cubes
- 1 medium tomato, finely chopped
Liquids and Sauces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup beef broth
Flavorings and Spices
- 1/4 cup green olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup raisins (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
Garnish
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Heat the Oil and Sauté Aromatics: Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, about 2 minutes.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook for approximately 7 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon until fully browned. Drain any excess grease if needed to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Cook Potatoes: Stir in the diced potatoes and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to begin softening the potatoes.
- Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Mix in the chopped tomato, tomato sauce, beef broth, sliced green olives, raisins if using, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and bay leaves. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet. Let the mixture simmer gently for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender and all flavors meld together beautifully.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the bay leaves before serving. Garnish the picadillo with chopped fresh cilantro and enjoy with warm tortillas, rice, or beans for a complete meal.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a diced bell pepper along with the onion during sautéing.
- Ground turkey or pork can be used as substitutes for the ground beef for a different taste profile.
- If you prefer a thicker consistency, simmer uncovered for the last 5 minutes to allow excess liquid to evaporate.
