🥘 Picadillo con Papas (Savory Ground Beef & Potato Stew)
A classic Latin American comfort dish—hearty, flavorful, and perfect over rice or tucked into tacos!
📝 Ingredients
For the Picadillo:
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1 lb ground beef (or turkey)
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1 large onion, diced
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3 garlic cloves, minced
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1 bell pepper, diced (red or green)
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2 medium potatoes, peeled & cubed
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1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
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½ cup beef broth
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2 tbsp tomato paste
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1 tsp ground cumin
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1 tsp dried oregano
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½ tsp smoked paprika
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1 bay leaf
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½ cup green olives, sliced (optional but traditional)
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2 tbsp raisins (optional for sweetness)
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Salt & pepper to taste
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2 tbsp olive oil
To Serve:
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White rice or warm tortillas
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Fresh cilantro
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Lime wedges
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Avocado slices
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Brown the Beef
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Heat olive oil in a deep skillet over medium-high.
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Add ground beef and cook until browned (5 mins), breaking it up. Drain excess fat if needed.
2️⃣ Sauté Aromatics
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Push beef to one side; add onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Sauté 3 mins until soft.
3️⃣ Simmer with Potatoes
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Stir in potatoes, tomatoes, broth, tomato paste, cumin, oregano, paprika, bay leaf, olives, and raisins.
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Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 20-25 mins until potatoes are tender.
4️⃣ Adjust & Serve
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Remove bay leaf. Season with salt & pepper.
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Garnish with cilantro and serve with rice/tortillas, lime, and avocado.
💡 Pro Tips
✔ Crispy potatoes? Pan-fry them separately and stir in at the end.
✔ Spicier? Add 1 chopped jalapeño or ½ tsp chili flakes.
✔ Make ahead? Tastes even better the next day!
🌟 Why You’ll Love It
✅ One-pot wonder – Easy cleanup!
✅ Budget-friendly – Uses pantry staples.
✅ Versatile – Stuff empanadas, top nachos, or layer in lasagna.
Fun Fact: In Cuba, this is called “picadillo a la habanera”—often served with fried plantains! 🇨🇺
Vegetarian? Swap beef for lentils or textured vegetable protein (TVP). 🌱