Picadillo with Ground Beef and Green Olives
A savory Cuban-inspired stew of ground beef simmered with tomatoes, bell peppers, and briny green olives, perfect for soaking up with rice or bread. This cuban-inspired beef ready in about 45 minutes pairs pound ground beef, tablespoons olive oil, medium, diced onion 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 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 1, diced green bell pepper
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup, pitted and sliced green olives
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in diced green bell pepper and cook for 3 more minutes until tender.
- Step 2: Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and no pink remains.
- Step 3: Stir in diced tomatoes (with juice), 1/4 cup sliced green olives, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon cumin, and 1/2 cup beef broth. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Simmer covered on low heat for 20 minutes until flavors meld and sauce thickens.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Picadillo with Ground Beef and Green 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 with Ground Beef and Green 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 pound ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Picadillo with Ground Beef and Green 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 with Ground Beef and Green 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 with Ground Beef and Green Olives?
Cuban beef 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
- ★★★★★
My partner, who's usually picky, absolutely loved this.
- ★★★★★
I've tried many beef recipes and this is hands down the best.
- ★★★★★
Best recipe I've made this month.
