Puerto Rican-Style Beef Picadillo with Sofrito

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Ground beef simmered in a rich tomato base with traditional Puerto Rican sofrito, olives, and capers for a savory, comforting dish. This latin american-inspired beef ready in about 40 minutes pairs ground beef, olive oil, sofrito for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

★ 4.2 (14 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Latin American cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 lb lean ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 1/2 cup sofrito and cook for 3 minutes until fragrant and the raw aroma disappears.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 cup tomato sauce, 1/4 cup sliced green olives, 2 tbsp rinsed capers, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1/2 tsp dried oregano, stirring to combine.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 medium diced peeled potato and 1/2 cup frozen green peas along with 1/2 cup water. Bring to a simmer, cover partially, and cook for 15 minutes until potatoes are tender and sauce thickens.
  5. Step 5: Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve hot with white rice or warm bread.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Puerto Rican-Style Beef Picadillo with Sofrito take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Puerto Rican-Style Beef Picadillo with Sofrito?

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 ground beef from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Puerto Rican-Style Beef Picadillo with Sofrito?

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 Puerto Rican-Style Beef Picadillo with Sofrito 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 Puerto Rican-Style Beef Picadillo with Sofrito?

Latin American 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.

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