Picadillo de Res: Puerto Rican Ground Beef with Tomatoes and Olives
A hearty and flavorful ground beef dish simmered with tomatoes, bell peppers, and olives in a rich tomato-based sauce, traditionally served over rice for a comforting meal. This puerto rican-inspired one pot ready in about 45 minutes pairs (450g) ground beef, large, finely chopped (150g) onion, minced (10g) garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1 large, finely chopped (150g) onion
- 2 cloves, minced (10g) garlic
- 1, finely chopped (100g) green bell pepper
- 1/2 cup (120g) tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup, chopped (50g) green olives
- 1/4 cup (60ml) red wine
- 1/4 cup, chopped (40g) pimiento peppers
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
- 1 teaspoon (5g) dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5g) salt
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25g) black pepper
- 1/4 cup (60ml) chicken broth
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces (6-8 minutes).
- Step 2: Add 1 large chopped onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 chopped green bell pepper, and sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/2 cup tomato sauce, 1/4 cup chopped green olives, 1/4 cup red wine, 1/4 cup chopped pimiento peppers, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 cup chicken broth. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Picadillo de Res: Puerto Rican Ground Beef with Tomatoes and Olives take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Picadillo de Res: Puerto Rican Ground Beef with Tomatoes and Olives?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (450g) ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Picadillo de Res: Puerto Rican Ground Beef with Tomatoes and Olives?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Picadillo de Res: Puerto Rican Ground Beef with Tomatoes and Olives for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Picadillo de Res: Puerto Rican Ground Beef with Tomatoes and Olives?
Puerto Rican one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
