A Taste of Home
Picadillo is the ultimate comfort food in Mexican households across South Texas and Tamaulipas. This savory ground beef dish is seasoned with tomatoes, potatoes, and warm spices – perfect for filling tacos, topping tostadas, or serving over rice.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 large white onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 Roma tomatoes, diced (or 1 can diced tomatoes)
- 2 medium potatoes, diced small
- 2 carrots, diced (optional)
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 2 jalapeños, diced (optional)
- 1/2 cup beef broth
Instructions
- Brown the meat: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat.
- Sauté aromatics: Add onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Add vegetables: Stir in tomatoes, potatoes, and carrots if using. Cook 3-4 minutes.
- Season: Add tomato sauce, cumin, oregano, pepper, salt, and jalapeños. Stir to combine.
- Simmer: Add broth, reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer 20-25 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste and adjust salt and spices as needed.
Serving Suggestions
- With warm flour tortillas and refried beans
- Over white rice
- As filling for empanadas
- On tostadas with crema and queso fresco
Fresh ground beef available daily at Ruiz Custom Meats – we grind it in-house for the best quality!
