Description
Picadillo Verde is a vibrant and flavorful Mexican-inspired ground beef dish cooked with green bell peppers, jalapeño, aromatic spices, and a delightful mix of olives and raisins that add a perfect balance of savory and sweet. This hearty skillet meal is perfect served over rice or with warm tortillas for an authentic taste experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 pound ground beef
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
Liquids & Herbs
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Accents
- 1/4 cup chopped green olives
- 1/4 cup raisins
Spices
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it is evenly browned. Once cooked, drain any excess fat from the skillet to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the finely chopped onion, minced garlic, green bell pepper, and seeded minced jalapeño pepper to the skillet with the beef. Cook this mixture until the vegetables are softened and aromatic, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Liquids and Flavorings: Stir in the chicken broth, chopped cilantro, chopped green olives, raisins, ground cumin, dried oregano, and ground cinnamon, ensuring all ingredients are well combined.
- Season and Simmer: Season the picadillo mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Allow it to simmer gently on medium-low heat for about 10-15 minutes, letting the flavors meld and the liquid reduce slightly.
- Finish Cooking: After simmering, remove the skillet from heat once the mixture has thickened to your liking and the flavors are fully developed.
- Serve: Serve the Picadillo Verde hot, ideally over steamed rice or with warm tortillas for a complete meal. Enjoy the savory and slightly sweet notes of this comforting dish!
Notes
- Adjust jalapeño quantity depending on your heat preference.
- Raisins add a nice sweetness that balances the savory meat; you can reduce or omit if preferred.
- Green olives provide a subtle briny flavor; sliced black olives can be a substitute if needed.
- Serve with rice or warm corn/flour tortillas for a traditional pairing.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated thoroughly before serving.
