This Mexican Picadillo is rich, savory, and packed with flavor. Made with ground beef, tender potatoes, tomatoes, and warming spices, it’s the kind of cozy, satisfying meal that works over rice, tucked into tortillas, or spooned into taco shells.
It’s simple. It’s hearty. And it delivers big flavor every time.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ One-pan meal
✔ Budget-friendly ingredients
✔ Customizable heat level
✔ Perfect for meal prep
✔ Great for tacos, rice bowls, or burritos
✔ Ready in under 1 hour
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Calories: 361 kcal
- Course: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 ounces yellow potatoes (3–4 small), diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 jalapeño pepper, chopped
- 1 serrano pepper, chopped (optional for extra heat)
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 large tomatoes, chopped
- ¾ cup beef stock (or chicken/vegetable stock)
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon Mexican oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Serving
- Cooked rice
- Warm tortillas
- Lime wedges
- Chili flakes
- Hot sauce
How to Make Mexican Picadillo
1️⃣ Sauté Vegetables
Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
Add potatoes, onion, and peppers.
Cook 5 minutes until softened.
2️⃣ Add Beef & Garlic
Stir in garlic and ground beef.
Break up meat and cook 5 minutes until browned (doesn’t need to be fully cooked yet).
3️⃣ Add Tomatoes & Seasonings
Stir in chopped tomatoes, stock, paprika, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper.
Reduce heat to simmer.
4️⃣ Simmer
Simmer 20 minutes until potatoes are tender and flavors are well combined.
5️⃣ Serve
Serve over rice or inside warm tortillas.
Top with lime juice, chili flakes, and hot sauce.
Heat Level
Medium heat as written.
To make it spicier:
- Add more serrano
- Add cayenne
- Use hotter chili flakes
- Add chipotle in adobo
Meat Substitutions
You can easily swap:
- Ground turkey
- Ground chicken
- Ground pork
- Plant-based ground meat
Optional Add-Ins (Traditional Variations)
Some authentic versions include:
- Carrots
- Raisins
- Green olives
- Almonds
- Fresh parsley
Nutrition (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 361 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 8g |
| Protein | 22g |
| Fat | 27g |
| Fiber | 3g |
| Sodium | 172mg |
Mexican Picadillo Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Sauté the chopped onion and peppers in a large skillet over medium heat until softened.
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
- Stir in the diced potatoes, tomatoes, and Mexican spices. Mix well to combine.
- Reduce heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender and flavors are blended.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Conclusion
Mexican Picadillo is one of those comforting, flavor-packed meals that’s simple enough for weeknights but satisfying enough for guests. It’s hearty, customizable, and perfect served any way you like.
One pan. Big flavor. Endless possibilities.