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Picadillo and Beans recipe

Our Perfect Picadillo and Beans recipe is a fantastic choice for a delicious and nutritious dinner. It's easy to make, versatile, and full of flavor. Whether you're feeding a hungry family or impressing guests, this dish is sure to be a hit. Give it a try and enjoy the wonderful combination of savory picadillo and hearty beans.
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Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Medium saucepan
  • Cutting board
  • Knife
  • Wooden spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Optional Tools for Convenience:
  • Food processor (for chopping vegetables)
  • Slow cooker or Instant Pot (for cooking beans)

Ingredients
  

For the Picadillo:

  • 1 pound ground beef or turkey, chicken, or pork
  • 1 large onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 bell pepper diced
  • 1 large tomato chopped
  • 1/2 cup green olives sliced
  • 1/4 cup raisins optional
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

For the Beans:

  • 1 cup dried beans pinto, black, or kidney
  • 1 small onion halved
  • 2 cloves garlic smashed
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt to taste

Instructions
 

Preparing the Picadillo:

  • Browning the Meat: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
  • Adding Vegetables and Spices: Add the chopped onion, garlic, and bell pepper to the skillet. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chopped tomato, green olives, raisins (if using), and tomato paste. Add the ground cumin, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Stir in the chopped cilantro and remove from heat.

Cooking the Beans:

  • Soaking and Boiling Beans: Rinse the dried beans and place them in a medium saucepan. Cover with water and soak overnight, or use the quick-soak method by boiling the beans for 2 minutes, then letting them soak for 1 hour. Drain and rinse the beans.

Adding Flavorings:

  • Return the beans to the saucepan and cover with fresh water. Add the halved onion, smashed garlic cloves, bay leaf, and ground cumin. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the beans are tender, about 1-2 hours. Season with salt to taste and remove the bay leaf before serving.