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Carne Molida (Puerto Rican picadillo) cooked in a black cast iron skillet.
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4.75 from 20 votes

Carne Molida (Puerto Rican Picadillo)

This Carne Molida (Puerto Rican Picadillo) recipe is a flavor-packed ground beef dish, perfect as a filling for various Puerto Rican dishes, or enjoyed simply with rice for a satisfying meal.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: Puerto Rican
Servings: 6
Calories: 239kcal
Author: Catherine Arena

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 potato peeled and cubed
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • ½ green, red, yellow or orange bell pepper rinsed and chopped
  • 2 tablespoons Puerto Rican sofrito
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons pimiento stuffed olives cut in half
  • 1 packet sazón with culantro and annato
  • 4 ounces tomato sauce
  • half a handful of fresh cilantro rinsed and coarsely chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon oregano
  • ⅛ teaspoon cumin
  • 1 capful of white or red vinegar
  • ¼-½ cup water
  • salt to taste optional

Instructions

  • Add the ground meat to a skillet over medium heat. Use a spoon or spatula to break it apart as it cooks.
    Note: If the ground meat is too oily, carefully drain off some of the excess oil from the pan.
  • Add the peppers, onions, sofrito, garlic, sazon, oregano, cumin, and vinegar, stirring well to combine. Reduce the heat, cover, and cook for 10 minutes.
  • Add the tomato sauce, olives, water, potatoes, and cilantro. Stir to combine, then cover and cook for 15 minutes. Taste and adjust the salt as needed. Your Puerto Rican Picadillo is ready to enjoy!

Notes

Recipe Notes:
Protein Swap: For a lighter or different flavor profile option, substitute ground beef with ground turkey, ground pork or ground chicken.
Tomato Sauce: You can swap the tomato sauce with 1 tablespoon of tomato paste.
Season to Taste: You can also add a sprinkle of adobo seasoning to taste.
Green Olives: If you're not a fan of green olives you can leave them out.
Bay Leaf/Bay Leaves: Add a bay leaf during simmering to infuse a subtle herbal aroma and enhance the overall savory profile of the carne molida.
Love Spicy Meals? Adjust the spice by adding crushed red pepper flakes or swapping in a spicier pepper.

Nutrition

Serving: 6 | Calories: 239kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 186mg | Potassium: 461mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 132IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 2mg