Description
Mexican picadillo with ground beef showcases a hearty one-pan dinner blending savory meat and tender potatoes. Home cooks can savor this rustic dish that delivers comforting flavors in each satisfying bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 4 medium potatoes (peeled and diced)
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 green bell pepper (optional, diced)
- 2 tbsps olive oil or butter
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp chili powder (optional)
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
- ¼ cup beef or chicken broth (optional, for moisture)
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley or cilantro (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Potato Preparation: Dice potatoes into uniform cubes to ensure consistent cooking and optimal texture.
- Skillet Conditioning: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, creating an ideal cooking environment.
- Potato Sautéing: Introduce diced potatoes to the hot oil, allowing them to develop a crisp, golden-brown exterior while maintaining a soft interior. Once perfectly cooked, remove and set aside.
- Beef Browning: Return skillet to heat and add ground beef, methodically breaking it into small, uniform pieces. Cook thoroughly, draining excess fat to prevent greasiness.
- Vegetable Integration: In the same skillet, sauté onions, garlic, and green bell peppers until fragrant and slightly softened.
- Flavor Fusion: Combine cooked potatoes, browned beef, and sautéed vegetables, creating a harmonious mixture. Sprinkle paprika, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper to enhance the flavor profile.
- Moisture and Simmering: If the mixture appears dry, add a small amount of broth to improve moisture and meld flavors. Allow ingredients to simmer briefly, intensifying taste and ensuring complete potato tenderness.
- Finishing Touch: Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro for a vibrant, herbaceous note. Serve immediately with rice, warm tortillas, or crusty bread to complement the robust flavors.
Notes
- Potato Precision: Cut potatoes into uniform 1/2-inch cubes to guarantee consistent cooking and prevent uneven texture.
- Fat Management: Thoroughly drain excess beef fat to maintain a lighter, less greasy final dish, enhancing overall meal healthiness.
- Seasoning Strategy: Add spices gradually and taste frequently, adjusting salt and pepper levels to balance the ground beef’s richness.
- Temperature Control: Maintain medium heat throughout cooking to develop golden-brown surfaces on potatoes and beef without burning ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg