Authentic Mexican Picadillo Recipe: A Flavorful Ground Beef Stew

Picadillo, a beloved dish with roots stretching across Latin America and Spain, takes on a uniquely vibrant character in Mexico. This Mexican Picadillo Recipe showcases the heart and soul of home-style Mexican cooking. Imagine tender ground beef simmered with potatoes, aromatic vegetables, and a medley of spices that create a symphony of flavors. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a taste of Mexican culinary heritage, perfect for a comforting family dinner or a festive gathering.

Mexican Picadillo, ready to serve

If you’re looking to expand your culinary horizons and bring the authentic taste of Mexico to your kitchen, this mexican picadillo recipe is your perfect starting point. Easy to prepare and bursting with savory goodness, it’s a dish that will quickly become a family favorite. Let’s dive into the delicious world of Mexican picadillo!

Unveiling Mexican Picadillo: More Than Just Ground Beef

Mexican picadillo is essentially a flavorful stew made with ground meat, typically beef, combined with a variety of vegetables, fruits, and spices. What sets the Mexican version apart is its unique blend of ingredients and regional variations. Unlike picadillos from other Latin American countries that might lean towards sweetness with raisins and olives (like Cuban picadillo), Mexican picadillo often emphasizes a more savory profile, though regional preferences can still introduce hints of sweetness or spice.

Across Mexico, you’ll discover countless iterations of picadillo. Some recipes include carrots and green beans for added sweetness and texture. Others incorporate dried fruits like raisins or chopped nuts for a richer, more complex flavor. Spice levels can also vary dramatically, from mild and comforting to boldly spicy, depending on the cook’s preference and regional traditions. Some cooks even add a touch of cinnamon or cloves for warmth and depth.

This recipe focuses on a classic, approachable version of mexican picadillo, highlighting the savory combination of ground beef, potatoes, and robust seasonings. It serves as a fantastic foundation that you can easily customize to your own taste by adding your favorite vegetables or spices.

Ingredients for a Taste of Mexico: Your Mexican Picadillo Shopping List

To create this authentic mexican picadillo recipe, you’ll need these key ingredients. Fresh, quality ingredients will elevate the flavors, so choose wisely!

Olive Oil: Essential for sautéing and building flavor from the base.
Yellow Potatoes: These hold their shape well during cooking and offer a creamy texture.
Yellow Onion: The aromatic foundation of many Mexican dishes, providing a sweet and savory base.
Jalapeño Peppers: For a touch of authentic Mexican heat. You can adjust the amount or substitute with milder peppers like poblano or bell peppers if preferred. For more heat, consider adding a serrano pepper.
Garlic: A flavor powerhouse that complements the other aromatics beautifully.
Ground Beef: The star of the show! Ground beef provides a rich, meaty base. You can also use ground turkey, chicken, or pork for variations.
Fresh Tomatoes: Diced fresh tomatoes bring a bright, acidic counterpoint to the richness of the beef. You can substitute with canned diced tomatoes or tomato sauce for convenience.
Beef Stock: Adds depth of flavor and moisture to the stew. Chicken or vegetable stock are also excellent alternatives.
Seasonings: This is where the magic happens!
- Paprika: Adds a subtle smoky sweetness and color.
- Mexican Oregano: A must-have for authentic Mexican flavor, distinct from Italian oregano with its citrusy notes.
- Cumin: Earthy and warm, cumin is a staple in Mexican cuisine.
- Salt and Black Pepper: To enhance and balance all the flavors.
For Serving (Optional but Recommended):
- Cooked Rice or Warmed Tortillas: The classic accompaniments to picadillo.
- Sliced Peppers, Chili Flakes, Fresh Chopped Herbs, Lime Juice, Hot Sauce: For garnishing and customizing the heat and freshness.

Cooking ground beef, peppers and potatoes to make Mexican Picadillo

Step-by-Step to Deliciousness: Making Your Mexican Picadillo

Follow these simple steps to create a mouthwatering mexican picadillo recipe that will impress your family and friends:

Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or pot over medium heat. Add the diced potatoes, chopped onion, and jalapeño peppers. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the onions become translucent and the potatoes begin to soften slightly. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Brown the Beef: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and then crumble in the ground beef. Use a wooden spoon to break up the beef as it cooks. Brown the ground beef for about 5-7 minutes, until it’s no longer pink. It doesn’t need to be fully cooked at this stage.
Simmer with Flavor: Stir in the diced tomatoes, beef stock, paprika, Mexican oregano, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer gently.
Simmer to Perfection: Simmer the mexican picadillo, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the flavors have melded together beautifully. Check for doneness at 15 minutes and adjust cooking time if needed. Taste and adjust salt and pepper to your preference.
Serve and Enjoy! Your mexican picadillo is ready to serve! Ladle it generously over fluffy cooked white rice or serve with warm corn tortillas. Garnish with your favorite toppings like sliced peppers, chili flakes for extra heat, fresh cilantro or parsley, a squeeze of lime juice for brightness, and of course, your go-to hot sauce!

Mexican Picadillo simmering in a pan, and ready to serve.

Mexican Picadillo Recipe Variations: Make It Your Own

One of the beauties of mexican picadillo is its adaptability. Feel free to experiment and create your own signature version! Here are some popular and delicious variations to inspire you:

Add Vegetables: Incorporate diced carrots, green beans, peas, or bell peppers for added nutrients, texture, and sweetness. Add them along with the tomatoes and stock to allow them to cook through.
Sweet and Savory: For a touch of sweetness reminiscent of some regional Mexican picadillos or Cuban-style picadillo, add a handful of raisins or chopped almonds during the last 10 minutes of simmering.
Spice It Up: Increase the heat by adding more jalapeños, serrano peppers, or a pinch of chili flakes. You can also use hotter chili powders like ancho chili powder for a deeper, smoky heat.
Hearty and Rich: Add a bay leaf during simmering for a subtle aromatic depth. Some recipes include a splash of red wine vinegar or Worcestershire sauce for extra umami.
Meat Variations: Try using ground turkey, chicken, or pork instead of beef for a lighter take on this classic dish.

Mexican Picadillo with Ancho Peppers on a plate with rice

Serving Suggestions: Beyond Rice and Tortillas

While rice and tortillas are classic pairings for mexican picadillo, this versatile dish can be enjoyed in many other ways. Get creative and try these serving suggestions:

Tacos or Burritos: Spoon picadillo into warm tortillas for flavorful tacos or load it into larger tortillas for hearty burritos. Add your favorite taco toppings like salsa, onions, cilantro, and cheese.
Nachos Supreme: Spread tortilla chips on a platter, top with a generous layer of mexican picadillo, and smother with melted cheese. Add jalapeños, sour cream, and guacamole for the ultimate nachos.
Stuffed Peppers: Use picadillo as a delicious filling for bell peppers or poblano peppers. Bake until the peppers are tender and the filling is bubbly.
Empanadas or Pastries: Fill empanada dough or puff pastry with cooled picadillo for savory hand pies or pastries.
Over Polenta or Mashed Potatoes: For a comforting twist, serve picadillo over creamy polenta or mashed potatoes instead of rice.

Mike grabbing a Mexican Picadillo taco from a plate

Storing and Reheating Your Mexican Picadillo

Mexican picadillo is even more flavorful the next day, making it perfect for meal prepping or leftovers.

Storage: Store leftover picadillo in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezing: For longer storage, freeze picadillo in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating: Reheat picadillo in a skillet over medium heat until heated through. You may need to add a splash of water or stock if it becomes too dry. Microwave reheating is also possible, but skillet reheating is recommended for best texture.

Ready to bring the authentic taste of Mexico to your table? This mexican picadillo recipe is your passport to a flavorful and satisfying culinary adventure. Try it tonight and experience the magic of Mexican home cooking! Don’t forget to leave a comment below and let us know how you enjoyed it!

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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: ancho, ground beef, Mexican, recipe, spicy

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 361kcal
Author: Mike Hultquist

Servings: 4
Rating: 5 from 68 votes

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
8 ounces yellow potatoes (about 3-4 small), diced
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 jalapeño pepper, chopped
1 serrano pepper, chopped (optional, for spicier)
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 pound ground beef (you can use other ground meats, like chicken, turkey or pork)
2 large tomatoes, chopped
¾ cup beef stock (or use chicken or vegetable stock)
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon Mexican oregano
1 teaspoon cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
FOR SERVING: Cooked rice or warmed tortillas, sliced peppers, chili flakes, fresh lime juice, hot sauce

Instructions

Heat the oil in a large pan to medium heat. Add the potatoes, onion and peppers and cook them down for 5 minutes to soften.
Stir in the garlic and ground beef. Break up the ground beef with a wooden spoon and brown it up for 5 minutes. The meat doesn’t need to be cooked all the way through.
Stir in the tomatoes, stock, and seasonings and reduce the heat to simmer.
Simmer for 20 minutes to cook through and let the potatoes soften up.
Serve over cooked rice or with tortillas with extra peppers, spicy chili flakes and lime juice! Don’t forget your favorite hot sauce.

Video

[Link to Video if available in original, otherwise remove]

Recipe Notes

Heat Factor: Medium, though it is PACKED with flavor. You can easily add more heat with hotter peppers or chili flakes, or by adding your favorite hot sauce. Other Ingredients. This recipe is customizable and can include many other ingredients. Some traditional Mexican picadillo recipes include parsley, blanched almonds, olives, carrots and raisins. See the Recipe Notes and Tips section of the main post for further discussion.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 361kcal Carbohydrates: 8g Protein: 22g Fat: 27g Saturated Fat: 9g Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 13g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 81mg Sodium: 172mg Potassium: 662mg Fiber: 3g Sugar: 4g Vitamin A: 1450IU Vitamin C: 17mg Calcium: 69mg Iron: 4mg

Did You Enjoy This Recipe? I love hearing how you like it and how you made it your own. Leave a comment below and tag @ChiliPepperMadness on social media.

NOTE: This recipe was updated on 5/5/23 to include new information, photos, and video. It was originally published on 4/18/18.