A Latin inspired staple to dazzle your dinner table! Then this Cuban style pork picadillo is it! So simple. One skillet. Explosive flavors!
What is Picadillo
Like a lot of fabulous dishes and spice mixtures, picadillo is a very simple dish with unclear beginnings. Some say that it was first served in 1821 to the new emperor of Mexico. Who knows!
Picadillo Recipes
In most Latin kitchens, picadillo is a staple. It's kind of like chili but no beans. However, I usually make beans to go with it and the many dishes I can create from the leftovers.
Recipe from Cuba
Recipes for picadillo vary in Latin countries including Cuba. You can use my basic recipe and then morph it into so many other dishes. From tacos, stuffed peppers and burritos to toastados and empanadas, it's so versatile.
How to Make Picadillo
Picadillo is make all in one skillet. Easy, huh? We like that. A combination of sweet and savory, you have options for using things like raisins, dates and those salty olives that we love. It's all up to you and your preferences.
Easy Picadillo Recipe
If you're ready to test the waters with Latin cuisine, then my easy picadillo recipe is your starter recipe. With tons of flavor, it's insanely easy to make. You really can't mess it up. That's what I love about cooking soups, stews, roasts versus baking pastries, The former are more forgiving.
And, here are some of my other simple Latin inspired recipes that you might want to look at and add to your growing repertoire of dishes!
Slow Cooked Cuban Skirt Steak Cuban Style Black BeansPicadillo Ingredients
You have some basic ingredients for picadillo. Then you have some additional options for add-ins, like raisins and olives. Others might even make it more like a 'stew' and add small potatoes. It's also fabulous served over rice!
This simple homestyle dish can be your first homerun for Latin night in your home!
Picadillo is a Cuban-style hash made with ground pork, ground beef, or both. It's a simple, homestyle dish that relies on building layers of flavor and texture from the addition of briny green olives, capers, and raisins. Traditionally, picadillo is served with white rice, but if that's one too many starch for your tastes, feel free to omit the potato below.
Picadillo Beef
I love to use ground pork or a combination of beef and pork for my picadillo. Pork just gives immense flavor, so I'd say use some in your recipe. Since we're using two pounds of ground meat, I'd go one-to-one with pork and beef. But, you'll see that I decided to use all pork. That's be cause we love 'the other white meat'. If you're using ground chicken or turkey, then it's essential that you use at least the same amount of pork to impart the flavor.
Cuban Pork Picadillo
Now there are some vegetables in this mixture. And, it's somewhat like the 'holy trinity' because you're using onions, peppers and garlic. You could finely dice up some carrots and celery if you like.
Tomatoes are a must. And, you'll see that I'm using coconut milk! Oh, my gosh, talk about elevating the flavors!
Easy Picadillo Recipe
Now you're going to simmer this picadillo just about 20 to 30 minutes making sure the liquid is not completely evaporating. The coconut milk as well as the diced tomatoes in the juice do provide liquid, but you don't want all the liquid to reduce.
Pork Picadillo Recipe Mexican
Whether you're using this pork picadillo as a main dish, garnish or appetizer, you won't be disappointed.
Here's a great idea. Double the recipe and freeze half of it. I do that for my Bolognese recipes and when I'm hankering for Bolognese but don't want to cook, I'm soooooooooooo glad I can grab it from the freezer! You'll feel the same way about your picadillo!
