Description
This Homemade Picadillo recipe is a hearty and comforting Mexican-inspired ground beef stew, packed with tender diced potatoes, sweet corn, and a flavorful blend of tomato sauces and spices. Perfect for a cozy dinner, this one-pan meal combines savory beef with fresh cilantro and warming seasonings, simmered to tender perfection. Serve it hot with fluffy rice and warm tortillas for a satisfying family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Veggies:
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 5 potatoes, peeled and diced
- ½ large onion, chopped
- 1 can corn, drained
- Handful of cilantro, roughly chopped
Sauces & Broth:
- ½ can El Pato hot tomato sauce (approximately 7 oz)
- ½ can regular tomato sauce (approximately 7 oz)
- 1 bottle beef broth (about 14 oz) or enough to cover potatoes
Seasoning:
- Cumin, to taste
- Garlic powder, to taste
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess grease from the pan to keep the picadillo from becoming too oily.
- Build the Base: Return the cooked beef to the pan. Stir in the El Pato hot tomato sauce and regular tomato sauce, mixing well to evenly coat the beef. Add the diced potatoes, drained corn, chopped onion, and pour in the beef broth—just enough to cover the potatoes completely.
- Season and Simmer: Sprinkle in cumin, garlic powder, and salt according to your taste preferences. Stir in the handful of roughly chopped cilantro to add freshness. Cover the pan with a lid and simmer the mixture over medium-low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the potatoes become tender and the broth has slightly thickened into a rich sauce.
- Serve: Once cooking is complete, spoon the hot picadillo into bowls. Serve immediately alongside fluffy rice and warm tortillas for a complete and delicious dinner.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of beef broth to ensure potatoes are fully submerged but not swimming in liquid.
- El Pato hot tomato sauce adds a mild spicy kick—adjust this or substitute with plain tomato sauce for less heat.
- Fresh cilantro adds bright flavor; if you prefer, garnish individual servings instead of cooking it in the sauce.
- This dish reheats well and flavors develop even more after resting overnight.
- For a thicker sauce, remove the lid in the last 5 minutes of simmering to evaporate extra liquid.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: homemade picadillo, ground beef stew, Mexican dinner, beef and potatoes, comfort food, easy stovetop recipe
