Beef picadillo is a flavorful ground beef dish dish that is simmered with a combination of vegetables, herbs, and spices, resulting in a savory and satisfying meal. It is originated in Spain and has variations in various cuisines worldwide, including Filipino and Middle Eastern cuisine.
This is a very delicious dish, and I decided to create my own version of Picadillo. Since I lived in Kuwait for 18 years, it inspired me to use my own Middle eastern and Filipino fusion of Picadillo Recipe.
Traditionally, raisin and olives are probably one of the important ingredients to cook this dish. However, I don't add them in my recipe since I want to make it simple. Furthermore, I do not considered this dish as Beef Giniling because I am adding spices, which is not commonly used in the Philippines. This is more a fusion dish.
Recipe Ingredients
Every country have their own ways of cooking Beef Picadillo, which makes it unique. First of all, I am using a ground beef as my meat dish, which I added chopped potato and mixed vegetables, which is a mixed of carrot, peas and corn.. The mixed vegetable bag can be found in any grocery stores or supermarket. I prefer to use a mixed vegetable directly since its more convenient for me.
Secondly, to add a middle eastern twist, I included cumin and curry in my dish. This spices is commonly found in both Middle eastern countries, and as well in South America. These spices blend well with meat dishes since it add great flavor of the picadillo.
Thirdly, I added soy sauce and brown sugar in my dish. Soy sauce and brown sugar is a common ingredient used in most Filipino dishes. These ingredients are not used for making Beef Picadillo, but I love to add them since it gives the saltiness and sweetness of the dish. Of course, in the Philippines, these sauces are almost used in every Filipino dishes including mine. However, you can use worcestershire sauce instead of soy sauce, which is a common sauce used in western recipes.
Lastly, I added Tomato paste to make the dish red. If you don't have tomato paste, you can use tomato sauce instead. However, please take note that when using tomato paste, you need to add more water since the paste is too thick.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Cooking my version of Beef Picadillo is easy. Firstly, you put oil in the pan, which when it become hot, you will add onion and garlic and stir it for few minutes. Later, you add the ground beef, cook it for several minutes until the juice is fully evaporated. That is because if you add the rest of the ingredient while there is still juices, the taste might be bland. Add spices, soy sauce and other ingredients in the pan, and stir it well. And then lastly, you add water, and let it cook for 5 minutes in medium low heat.
To learn how to cook Beef Picadillo, here is the ingredient needed to make the dish:
📋 Recipe Card
Beef Picadillo
Ingredients
- 500 gram of ground beef
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable cooking oil
- 1 medium onion 1 cup of onion
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 1 teaspoon of curry powder
- ½ teaspoon of cumin
- 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon of soy sauce
- 1 and ½ cup of mixed vegetables
- ½ cup of chopped potato
- 2 teaspoon of tomato paste
- ½ to 1 cup of water
- Salt and Pepper for taste
Instructions
- Add a cooking oil in the frying pan. Once it is hot, add the onion and stir it for few minutes until the color change lighter. After that add garlic, and stir it for up to 1 minute.
- Add the ground beef, and stir it well for few minutes. The ground beef will be releasing its juices, and it make sure it is fully evaporated before adding seasoning.
- Add soy sauce, sugar, cumin, curry, and tomato paste in the ground beef, and mix it well.
- Add water, and let it simmer for up to 5 minutes or until there is less juice. During cooking, add salt and pepper for taste.
Laura
I love everything about this recipe! I can't wait to try it.
Saif
Thanks Laura. You will definitely loved this dish. It fits perfectly with rice.
Lauren Vavala | DeliciousLittleBites
I've heard of beef picadillo before but have never tried it. Now that I see the list of ingredients and know that I like everything in it, this is going on my must-make list right now! Looks delish!
saif
Thanks Lauren. I am pleased you like this dish
Danielle
One thing I haven't tried in a while is beef picadillo, and this recipe really made me want to make it. Can't wait now!
saif
Beef Picadillo is a great beef recipe. I am sure you will love it 🙂
Jordin
YUMM, this looks so delicious! I need to make this for my family and I, I know we are all going to love it!
saif
I am sure you and your family will love this dish. Thanks for visiting my site 🙂
Dannii
I haven't heard of this before, but it sounds super comforting. I can't wait to try it.
saif
Thanks Dannii. This is my fusion version of beef picadillo. Hope you like it 🙂
Paula Montenegro
I love picadillo, we use it for empanadas, but I never heard of this version! Great for freezing, love it!
saif
I love this dish too. In the Philippines, Picadillo is commonly eaten with rice. This is basically my fusion version of beef picadillo 🙂