Mexican, Beef Picadillo Beef Picadillo

Beef Picadillo

Beef Picadillo has to be one of the easiest meals to prepare, a secret weapon that many Mexican cooks use to feed their families during a busy week. It mainly consists of beef mince fried with onions and garlic, then cooked with diced vegetables, can be spicy or mild (as you prefer), normally served with Refried Beans and Mexican rice on the side.  What makes Picadillo such a life saver is that there isn't just one recipe for it, you can adapt to what you have at home and make use of any vegetables or herbs that perhaps are looking a bit sad over your kitchen counter, it’s a great way to clean up your fridge before getting a fresh shop. You can even substitute the beef mince for cooked brown lentils to make a vegan version of this dish. At Luchito we like to use a bit of Medium Taco Seasoning to add more depth of flavour to our Picadillo. Gran Luchito Taco Seasonings are a great way to add seasoning in a speedy way to any of your meals, and what we love about our Medium Taco Seasoning is that it provides a lot of flavour without being spicy which makes it perfect to season your family meals.  Don't forget to serve your Picadillo with Refried Beans on the side and warm Soft Taco Wraps. If you are unsure about refried beans, check out our blog What Are Refried Beans.

Our Mexican Beef Recipes page has lots of great ideas and recipes to bring even more flavour to your beef.

Serves 4
Prep 10MINS
Cook 20MINS
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Ingredients
  • 2 tblsp olive oil
  • 2 shallots, finely sliced
  • 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
  • 1 small butternut squash, peeled and diced
  • 1 potato, peeled and diced
  • 1 carrot, peeled and diced
  • 1 red pepper, cut into small squares
  • 500g / 1.1 lb of steak beef mince
  • 1 or 2 tblsp of Medium Taco Seasoning (add the spice according to your taste)
  • 3 tblsp apple cider vinegar
  • ½ cup of orange juice
  • 250ml of chicken stock
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to season)
  • 1 packet of Refried Beans
  • 1 cup of freshly chopped coriander
  • 1 ripe avocado
  • 1 cup of creme fraiche
  • 1 packet of Soft Taco Wraps
KCAL: 140
FAT: 8.1g
Saturates: 3.5g
Carbs: 11.3g
Sugars: 2g
Fibre: 0.9g
Protein: 5.6g
Salt: 0.37g

Nutrition: PER SERVING

Method
  1. Heat up half 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large frying pan. Once hot enough add the shallots and garlic and fry gently until it softens. Now add the butternut squash, potato, carrot and red pepper, stir and cook everything for a further 6 minutes (the potatoes, squash and carrots don’t need to be cooked through). Once ready, place the fried vegetables in a bowl and reserve on the side.
  2. Add the remaining oil into the same pan and fry the minced beef, season with Medium Taco Seasoning and cook your meat over medium-high heat until it gets a bit of colour.
  3. Once it gets a bit of colour add in the vinegar, orange juice, stock, a pinch of salt freshly ground black pepper and the pre-cooked vegetables. Integrate everything with a wooden spoon and cover your pan with a lid, simmer on medium heat for 15 minutes or until your potatoes are cooked through.
  4. In the meantime open the Refried Beans sachet and place them into a pan, heat them up on low heat, until nice and warm.
  5. Serve a few spoonfuls of your Picadillo in a bowl with a nice portion of refried beans on the side. Garnish with fresh coriander, avocado slices and a spoonful of creme fraiche. Don’t forget to serve with warm Soft Taco Wraps on the side, enjoy!

What you’ll need

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FAQ'S

Can I use a different type of meat instead of beef in picadillo?
Yes, picadillo can be made with different types of meat such as ground turkey, chicken, or pork. The choice of meat will affect the flavour and texture of the dish, so feel free to substitute according to your preferences or dietary needs.
Can I freeze beef picadillo?
Yes, beef picadillo can be frozen. Allow it to cool completely, transfer it to freezer-safe containers or resealable bags, and store it in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
What can I serve with beef picadillo?
Beef picadillo can be served in various ways. It is commonly enjoyed with rice or as a filling for tacos, empanadas, or stuffed bell peppers. You can also serve it alongside beans, tortillas, or a fresh salad.