How to Make Abuela's Picadillo - A Step-by-Step Guide

Abuela's Picadillo is a classic Cuban dish that holds a special place in my heart. This recipe has been passed down through generations in my family, and every time I make it, I am reminded of the love and care that my abuela poured into her cooking. Picadillo is a savory, comforting dish that is perfect for a cozy family meal or for entertaining guests. It's a versatile dish that can be served with rice, as a filling for empanadas, or even as a topping for baked potatoes. The blend of flavor...

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Ingredients

  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ½ onion, chopped
  • ½ green bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
  • 2 cups water
  • ½ cup red cooking wine
  • 3 tablespoons hot sauce (such as Louisiana®)
  • 1 (1.41 ounce) package sazon seasoning (such as Badia® Tropical®)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon ground bay leaf
  • 3 ounces Spanish-style olives
  • 1 small butternut squash, peeled and cut into cubes
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Information

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 1 hr 10 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins
  • Servings: 8

  • Cook and stir ground beef in a large stockpot over medium-high heat until crumbly and browned, 5 to 10 minutes. Drain grease.
  • Heat olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic to hot oil; cook and stir until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Add to beef in the stockpot.
  • Pour tomato sauce, water, wine, and hot sauce into the stockpot. Stir in sazón seasoning, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, pepper, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer picadillo, uncovered, until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
  • Split olives in half with your fingers and stir into picadillo. Add squash. Simmer until squash is tender and liquid reduces but picadillo is not dry, 45 to 60 minutes. Season with salt.
  • Nutrition

    378 cal.

    • Total Fat: 22g
    • Saturated Fat: 7g
    • Cholesterol: 74mg
    • Sodium: 1856mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 22g
    • Dietary Fiber: 4g
    • Total Sugars: 6g
    • Protein: 24g
    • Vitamin C: 44mg
    • Calcium: 94mg
    • Iron: 4mg
    • Potassium: 965mg