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Flavor-Packed Mexican Picadillo Recipe

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A quick and easy Mexican picadillo recipe featuring ground beef, sweet raisins, salty olives, and warm spices, perfect for comforting family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef (85% lean)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup (240ml) canned diced tomatoes with juice
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) beef broth or water
  • 1/4 cup (40g) raisins (golden raisins preferred)
  • 1/4 cup (40g) pitted green olives, sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Finely chop 1 small onion and mince 2 garlic cloves. Slice the olives into thin rounds. Measure out raisins, spices, and liquids (5-7 minutes prep).
  2. Heat skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until mostly browned (6-8 minutes).
  3. Drain excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
  4. Push beef to one side. Add chopped onion and garlic to empty side and cook until softened and fragrant (3-4 minutes). Stir together.
  5. Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth. Mix well and bring to a gentle simmer.
  6. Add cumin, cinnamon, salt, pepper, raisins, and olives. Stir and cook uncovered for 10-12 minutes until sauce thickens and flavors meld.
  7. Remove from heat and stir in fresh lime juice. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Garnish with chopped cilantro if desired. Serve over white rice, warm tortillas, or in taco shells.

Notes

Do not rush browning the meat to develop flavor. Simmer uncovered to thicken sauce naturally. Add lime juice off heat to preserve brightness. If sauce thickens too much, add more broth or water. For chunkier texture, add olives and raisins halfway through simmering. Can substitute ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for variations.

Nutrition

Keywords: Mexican picadillo, ground beef recipe, easy dinner, quick skillet meal, raisins and olives, cumin and cinnamon, family dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://atomicbite.com/flavor-packed-mexican-picadillo-recipe-easy-homemade-version-to-try-today/