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child stirring a pan of picadillo ingredients at the stove

Puerto Rican Picadillo

Kristin
Interested in Puerto Rican food? Or wondering "What is picadillo?" With this Puerto Rican picadillo recipe, you'll get amazing results every time.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Puerto Rican
Servings 8 people
Calories 199 kcal

Ingredients 
 

  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 russet potato
  • kosher salt
  • black pepper
  • 1 yellow onion medium
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 1 lb ground bison or ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon sazón
  • 2 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • ½ cup sofrito
  • 2 tablespoon olives
  • 2 tablespoon olive brine
  • 1 tablespoon capers

Instructions 

  • Wash your hands with soap and water. Use a child-friendly knife and cutting board to dice the potato.
  • Chop the onion needed for this Puerto Rican picadillo recipe and set aside. You can also mince the olives and capers now or wait till step 10.
  • To make sazón, mix: ¼ cup ground achiote, 1 tablespoon ground cumin, 3 tablespoons granulated garlic, 2 tablespoons granulated onion, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper. If you already have Illyanna's custom sazón blend, skip to the next step.
  • Turn the stove on medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the olive oil.
  • Add the diced potato to the pan. Use a measuring spoon to add some salt and pepper. Cook the potato in the pan for 2 or 3 minutes.
  • Add the chopped onion to the pan. Cook for 2 or 3 minutes, until the onion is soft.
  • Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 or 2 minutes, until the garlic is translucent.
  • Add the bison to the pan and wash your hands. Use a measuring spoon to add the sazón, oregano, cumin, salt, & pepper. Combine the ingredients with a wooden spoon. Cook the meat for 3 minutes, or until brown. Use the spoon to break up the ground bison as needed.
  • Use a measuring cup to add the tomato sauce and sofrito to the pan. Use your spoon to combine the ingredients.
  • Add the minced olives and capers to the pan. Combine everything with the spoon and allow it to cook for 15 - 20 minutes.
  • Add the olive brine to the pan and give it a stir. Cook for 5 minutes.

Notes

  • Cook to a minimum temperature of 160 °F (74 °C)
  • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that previously touched raw meat
  • Wash hands after touching raw meat
  • Never leave cooking food unattended
  • Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
  • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
  • See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
  • Full Lesson Info and Pictures at:  https://happyhomeschooladventures.com/puerto-rican-picadillo-recipe

Nutrition

Calories: 199kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 12gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 334mgPotassium: 414mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 154IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 2mg

Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!