Authentic Mexican Picadillo Recipe

Here’s a warm and comforting Authentic Mexican Picadillo recipe — a savory ground beef dish simmered with tomatoes, potatoes, and simple spices. It’s incredibly versatile: serve it in tacos, over rice, in gorditas, or with beans and tortillas.

🇲🇽 Authentic Mexican Picadillo

Serves: 4–6 | Prep Time: 10 min | Cook Time: 30–35 min

🧂 Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef (85–90% lean)

• 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced small

• ½ white onion, finely chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 2 medium Roma tomatoes, chopped (or 1 can diced tomatoes)

• 1 cup tomato sauce or ½ cup water + 2 tbsp tomato paste

• ½ tsp ground cumin

• ½ tsp oregano

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp salt (or to taste)

• 1 tbsp oil (vegetable or olive)

• Optional: 1–2 bay leaves, 1 small carrot (diced), chopped jalapeño for spice, or handful of peas

🔪 Instructions:

1. Cook the Potatoes:
   In a large skillet or saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add diced potatoes and cook for about 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften and lightly brown. Remove and set aside.

2. Sauté the Beef & Aromatics:
   In the same skillet, add ground beef and cook until no longer pink, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat if needed.
   Add onion and garlic, sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.

3. Add Tomatoes & Seasoning:
   Stir in chopped tomatoes (or canned), tomato sauce, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Let simmer for about 5 minutes to break down the tomatoes.

4. Simmer with Potatoes:
   Return potatoes to the pan. Add a splash of water if mixture is too thick. Simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender and flavors meld.

5. Finish:
   Taste and adjust seasoning. For more flavor, add a bay leaf while simmering and remove before serving.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions:

• With warm corn tortillas and salsa

• Over white rice or Mexican rice

• Inside empanadas, gorditas, or tacos

• Alongside refried beans and avocado slices

📝 Tips:

• For a juicier picadillo, add ¼–½ cup beef broth or more tomato sauce.

• Traditional versions may include raisins or green olives for a sweet/savory twist.

• Make it spicy with diced jalapeños, chipotle, or chile guajillo paste.