Last Updated on May 10, 2022 by
My mouth is rumbling, just thinking about the delicious Tex Mex picadillo recipe you will be learning about today! This delicious dish has a lot of cultural flavors from all around the world and is a favorite in Mexico and Texas. Looking to try something new, make this recipe, it is quick and easy!
After you are done cooking this Tex Mex Picadillo recipe, you will have a meal to share with family and friends. The servings size should also give you plenty of leftovers for your family. You will no longer have to wonder about how to make picadillo.
What Is Tex Mex Picadillo?
Tex Mex picadillo is a dish that uses various ingredients including ground beef, peppers, potatoes, and tomatoes. The best thing about this unique dish is that you can add virtually anything you want inside of the recipe! Usually, it is served and made with Mexican meat and potatoes.
The potatoes soak in the flavor nicely, adding a layer of comfort. Usually, this Tex Mex picadillo recipe is cooked during cool months when there are large gatherings. It is a meal to share that can easily be adjusted for dietary restrictions.
While this homemade picadillo recipe calls for various seasonings, you can add and subtract whatever flavors you want. Interestingly enough, the Spanish word picadillo refers to minced or cut into small bits.
Table of Contents
How Do You Eat Picadillo?
Picadillo is best served over yellow or white Mexican rice. Although it is common to mix this meaty dish with rice, you can also eat it alone. The potatoes provide a balancing carb that enhances the flavors and seasonings in the dish well.
Some people will make this Tex Mex Picadillo recipe alongside homemade tortillas to eat with the meal. Whether it is fresh tortillas or store-bought though, they are sure to hit the spot with this Tex Mex Picadillo recipe!
What You Will Need To Make This Tex Mex Picadillo Recipe
Ingredients
- 2lbs of Ground Beef
- 2 Cloves of Garlic Minced
- 1 Yellow Onion Diced
- 2 Red potatoes, diced thinly
- 8oz can of tomato sauce
- 2 Cups of Green Onions
- 2 tbsp. of taco seasoning
- 8oz can of red and green chilis
- 2 tsp. of Cumin powder
- 1 tsp. of Sea Salt
- 1 tbsp. of Red Chili Peppers
Equipment
- Large Skillet
- 1 Bowl
- 1 Spatula
- Cutting Board
- Cutting Knife
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Cut the Vegetables and Prepare the Ingredients
Possibly the most important step in this Tex Mex picadillo recipe is to prepare the ingredients. Since the meat cooks quickly, you will need to have everything cut up and ready in advance. The best way to do this is by using a bowl to add the vegetables in.
Make sure to never use the same cutting board or knife before cleaning while preparing meat and vegetables. Since ground beef breaks apart, you are unlikely to need to cut the meat for this Mexican picadillo recipe.
Step 2: Brown and Cook the Ground Beef
During the second step in this Tex Mex Picadillo Recipe, add some olive oil and the ground beef into a skillet. In the skillet pan, move around the ground beef so that both sides cook well. Always start with one side before flipping all of the ground beef.
Sprinkle half of the powder seasonings into the ground beef mixture. Using a spatula or a masher to grind and break apart the ground beef, push and grind it. Once the ground beef starts to change color, flip the beef over to cook the other side. No pink or red should be left in the meat.
Step 3: Add the Vegetables to the Mixture
In step 3 of this Tex Mex picadillo recipe, you will need to add the chopped vegetables to the mixture. It is important to ensure that the ground beef is cooked first though. Once you know, add the vegetables to brown.
Step 4: Add The Rest Of The Seasonings
As the vegetables and meat cook, slowly pour in the powder seasonings and mix with the spoon or spatula. The meat will likely soak up the flavors well. Break apart any large sections with the spatula or a metallic fork.
Step 5: Simmer The Meat And Serve
As the potatoes begin to tender with the heat and mixture, it is best to let the mixture simmer for 15 minutes. Lower the stovetop meat to a low medium before adding the cover on top. Cook at this temperature for fifteen minutes.
Once it looks to be ready, turn the heat off and serve to your friends and family.
Tips and Tricks
No longer will you have to wonder or worry about how to make picadillo. This Tex Mex picadillo recipe calls for many ingredients. The first tip I have for you is to enjoy the process and customize! As long as this recipe and your dish have potatoes and ground beef, it is a homemade picadillo!
Feel free to change and swap out the ingredients to make your own twist on the Mexican meat and potatoes. The one recommendation I have for you is to cook and marinate the meat prior! This is especially recommended for cooks who love to add and eat hot peppers.
For the meat to soak in the flavor and kick that comes from hot peppers, you can blend and make a base for your ground meat. In a zip lock bag, add the seasonings, peppers, and meat. Massage the meat with the mixture and leave it in the fridge for the next day. It also stores and freezes well!
Servings and Preparation Time
|
Cook Time |
Preparation Time |
Serving Size |
|
25 Minutes |
10 Minutes |
8 People |
All in all, it should only take you about 35 minutes to cook and complete this Tex Mex picadillo recipe! It is delicious and a wonderful dish to serve and share with family and friends. It is a comfort food for many people living in Latin America.
What do you think about this recipe? Were you able to follow along well? Let us know in the comment section below! Know anyone else interested in learning how to make this Tex Mex picadillo, share this article with them!
Tex Mex Picadillo Recipe
Equipment
- Large skillet
- 1 Bowl
- 1 Spatula
- Cutting board
- Cutting knife
Ingredients
- 2 lbs of Ground Beef
- 2 Cloves of Garlic Minced
- 1 Yellow Onion Diced
- 2 Red potatoes diced thinly
- 8 oz can of tomato sauce
- 2 Cups of Green Onions
- 2 tbsp. of taco seasoning
- 8 oz can of red and green chilis
- 2 tsp. of Cumin powder
- 1 tsp. of Sea Salt
- 1 tbsp. of Red Chili Peppers
Instructions
- Possibly the most important step in this Tex Mex picadillo recipe is to prepare the ingredients. Since the meat cooks quickly, you will need to have everything cut up and ready in advance. The best way to do this is by using a bowl to add the vegetables in.
- Make sure to never use the same cutting board or knife before cleaning while preparing meat and vegetables. Since ground beef breaks apart, you are unlikely to need to cut the meat for this Mexican picadillo recipe.
- During the second step in this Tex Mex Picadillo Recipe, add some olive oil and the ground beef into a skillet. In the skillet pan, move around the ground beef so that both sides cook well. Always start with one side before flipping all of the ground beef.
- Sprinkle half of the powder seasonings into the ground beef mixture. Using a spatula or a masher to grind and break apart the ground beef, push and grind it. Once the ground beef starts to change color, flip the beef over to cook the other side. No pink or red should be left in the meat.
- In step 3 of this Tex Mex picadillo recipe, you will need to add the chopped vegetables to the mixture. It is important to ensure that the ground beef is cooked first though. Once you know, add the vegetables to brown.
- As the vegetables and meat cook, slowly pour in the powder seasonings and mix with the spoon or spatula. The meat will likely soak up the flavors well. Break apart any large sections with the spatula or a metallic fork.
- As the potatoes begin to tender with the heat and mixture, it is best to let the mixture simmer for 15 minutes. Lower the stovetop meat to a low medium before adding the cover on top. Cook at this temperature for fifteen minutes.
- Once it looks to be ready, turn the heat off and serve to your friends and family.
Notes
Casia is a passionate home cook who loves to share her love of Mexican food with the world. She has been cooking since she was a child, helping her grandmother in the kitchen and learning the traditional techniques used to create delicious Mexican dishes. Casia loves to experiment with new ingredients and flavors, always looking for ways to make her dishes even more flavorful. She is also passionate about teaching others about Mexican cuisine and its rich history. When she is not in the kitchen, Casia enjoys exploring new cultures, traveling, and spending time with her family.