Holiday Picadillo (Sweet and Savoury Minced Beef Stew)
Why this recipe works
- Layered sweet-savoury flavour: Raisins bring sweetness, olives add briny depth, and cumin with cinnamon gives the stew warmth without making it spicy.
- Simple one-pot method: Browning the beef, blooming the spices and simmering the tomatoes in the same pot builds flavour with minimal cleanup.
- Keeps and reheats well: The thick tomato-based sauce holds up well in the fridge or freezer and can be loosened gently when reheating.
Get the most out of this recipe
Authenticity notes
- A dish with many regional versions: Picadillo is made across Latin America in different styles; this version leans into the familiar sweet-savoury combination of beef, tomatoes, raisins and olives.
- Best as a spoonable stew: The texture should be thick enough to mound over rice, rather than loose like a soup or dry like plain browned mince.
Ingredient notes
- Use ripe tomatoes if possible: Ripe tomatoes break down more easily and give the sauce better body and natural acidity.
- Season after the olives go in: Green olives contribute saltiness, so taste near the end before adding any extra sea salt.
- Raisins soften as they simmer: The raisins plump in the sauce, giving small bursts of sweetness rather than a dry, chewy texture.
Common mistakes
- Do not simmer too hard: Keep the heat low once the raisins and olives are added so the sauce thickens gradually without catching on the base of the pot.
- Avoid letting it dry out: If the mixture thickens before the tomatoes have fully broken down, add a small splash of water and continue cooking gently.
Make-ahead tips
- Good for the next day: The sweet, briny and spiced flavours settle well after chilling, making leftovers particularly useful for quick meals.
- Reheat gently: Warm in a saucepan over low heat with a splash of water if needed, stirring until piping hot.
- Freezer-friendly: Cool completely before freezing in a sealed container, then defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Finely chop the onion. Roughly chop the tomatoes and set aside.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring, until softened and lightly golden.
- Add the minced beef and the fine sea salt. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned with no pink remaining.
- Stir in the ground cumin and ground cinnamon and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the tomatoes and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in the raisins and olives, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rich, spoonable, and the tomatoes have broken down into a thick sauce.
- Taste and adjust with a pinch more fine sea salt if needed. Serve hot, ideally spooned over rice.
Recipe notes
Serving suggestions
This recipe pairs well with:
Tips
- For the best texture, keep the simmer gentle so the sauce reduces without catching on the bottom of the pot.
- If the mixture looks dry before it turns spoonable, add a small splash of water and continue simmering until thick again.
Substitutions
- Replace Yellow onion with White onion for a slightly sharper base.
- Replace Green pitted olives with Black pitted olives for a milder, rounder olive flavour.
- Replace Raisin with Sultana for a softer, lighter sweetness.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Cool completely, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat with a splash of water until piping hot; freeze for up to 3 months and defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Ratings & reviews
Liked this recipe? Share your feedback to support our cooking community.
Tried this recipe?
Choose 1–5 stars. A comment is optional.
Stay inspired
Discover new recipes, seasonal favourites and cooking inspiration every day. Follow JustRecipes on Pinterest and Spillt.
Recipe overview
- Servings: 4 servings
- Total time: 55min (20min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Latin American
Plan your meals and get a complete grocery list automatically.
Add to meal plannerEquipment you'll need
Got ingredients left?
Find recipes using ingredients from this recipe or what you already have at home.
Find recipes with these ingredients →
Pollo en Salsa de Tamarindo (Tamarind Chicken)
Chicken thighs in tamarind and chipotle sauce with lime
Spezzatino di Manzo (Italian Beef Stew)
Italian beef stew simmered with tomato, red wine and herbs
Hachee Met Rodekool (Dutch Beef and Onion Stew with Red Cabbage)
Dutch beef and onion stew served with red cabbage and potatoes
Matelote Normande (Normandy Fish Stew with Cider)
Fish stew simmered with cider, leeks and mushrooms
Yakhnet Batata (Lebanese Potato and Lamb Stew)
Lebanese lamb and potato stew in a tomato sauce
Cordero Chilindrón (Spanish Lamb with Peppers and Tomatoes)
Spanish lamb stew with tomatoes, red peppers and sweet paprika
Bún Thang (Hanoi Chicken Noodle Soup)
Clear chicken noodle soup with omelette, herbs and lime
Pasta al Limone (Creamy Lemon Pasta)
Spaghetti with creamy lemon sauce, Parmesan and black pepper
Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá (Portuguese Salt Cod Casserole)
Portuguese salt cod bake with potatoes, eggs and olives
Kerstrollade met Jus (Roast Pork Roll with Red Wine Gravy)
Roast pork roll with mustard and thyme, served with gravy
Julskinka (Swedish Christmas Ham with Mustard Crust)
Swedish Christmas ham with a mustard and breadcrumb crust
Chicken Milanese with Rocket and Lemon Salad
Crisp chicken Milanese served with rocket and lemon
Gorditas de Picadillo (Stuffed Masa Cakes with Minced Beef)
Griddled masa cakes stuffed with minced beef picadillo and potato
Picadillo Mexicano (Spiced Minced Beef with Potatoes and Peas)
Mexican minced beef with potatoes, peas and tomato
Tostones con Carne Molida (Fried Plantains with Spiced Minced Beef)
Twice-fried plantains topped with spiced minced beef
Picadillo Cubano (Cuban Spiced Minced Beef)
Minced beef simmered with tomatoes, olives, raisins, and potatoes.
Pollo en Mole Amarillo Oaxaqueño (Chicken in Yellow Mole)
Chicken in smooth mole amarillo thickened with masa harina
Karniyarik (Aubergine Stuffed with Minced Beef)
Baked aubergines stuffed with minced beef, onion and tomatoes
You might also like
Solomillo al Whisky (Pork Tenderloin in Whisky Sauce)
Pan-seared pork tenderloin with garlic whisky sauce
Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Crackling
Slow-roasted pork shoulder with crisp crackling and apple sauce
Costillas de Cerdo Adobadas (Adobo-Marinated Pork Ribs)
Roasted pork ribs in smoky adobo with a glossy glaze
Cime di Rapa con Orecchiette (Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe, Garlic and Chilli)
Orecchiette with broccoli rabe, garlic, chilli and pecorino
Pan-Seared Duck Breast with Cherry Bourbon Sauce
Pan-seared duck with cherry bourbon pan sauce
Cock-a-Leekie Soup with Prunes
Chicken and leek soup with prunes in a light broth
Make this recipe easier next time
AdvertisementThese tools help you get better results with less effort.
Misen 8-Inch Chef Knife
- AUS-10 steel
- Balanced design
- Less traditional feel
Titanium & PP Double-Sided Cutting Board
- Separate surfaces for meat and produce
- Resists odors and stains
- Harder on knife edges than wood or plastic
WÜSTHOF Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife
- Excellent build quality
- Reliable edge retention
- Expensive
OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Cutting Board Set
- Two useful sizes with reversible cutting surfaces
- Dishwasher safe and easy to clean
- Plastic surfaces will show knife marks over time
Enjoy cooking with JustRecipes?
Add JustRecipes as one of your preferred Google sources to discover our recipes more easily across Google Search.
Add JustRecipes to GoogleEvery recipe on JustRecipes follows the same structured editorial process. Learn how recipes are created, validated, translated, illustrated, and continuously improved across the platform. How we create recipes.
