RecipesCubaPicadillo a la Habanera

Picadillo a la Habanera

A flavorful and comforting Cuban hash made with ground beef, olives, raisins, capers, and spices, often served with rice and beans.

Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour 5 minutes
Servings6
DifficultyMedium
Picadillo a la Habanera - Cuba traditional dish

🧂 Ingredients

  • 1 lb Ground beef
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1 medium Yellow onion(finely chopped)
  • 1 medium Green bell pepper(finely chopped)
  • 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
  • 8 oz Tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup Dry white wine
  • 1/2 cup Green olives(pitted and halved)
  • 1/4 cup Raisins
  • 2 tbsp Capers(drained)
  • 1 tsp Ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp Dried oregano
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Black pepper
  • 1 Bay leaf

👨‍🍳 Instructions

  1. 1

    Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped onion and bell pepper and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.

  2. 2

    Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

  3. 3

    Add ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess fat.

  4. 4

    Stir in tomato sauce, white wine, olives, raisins, capers, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer.

  5. 5

    Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for at least 30 minutes, or until the flavors have melded and the sauce has thickened. Stir occasionally.

  6. 6

    Remove the bay leaf before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

💡 Pro Tips

  • For a richer flavor, you can add a splash of red wine along with the white wine.
  • Some recipes include a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
  • Picadillo is often served with white rice and black beans, or with fried plantains.

🔄 Variations

  • Add diced potatoes or sweet potatoes for a heartier dish.
  • For a touch of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
  • Some variations include a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce for added umami.

🏷️ Tags