This easy one-pan recipe for Picadillo combines ground beef and turkey with spices and olives to create a simple dinner with bold, satisfying flavors.
I love a super easy ground beef recipe and I make this dish with a mix of ground beef and ground turkey in a tomato sauce with olives and tons of flavor. Yeah, it’s my own spin. If you’re on the search for one-pan recipes, you’ve landed on the right page.
If you’ve been here a while, you know that I’m all about easy, approachable recipes that can be made quickly but still be delicious! This recipe is no different, in fact, it’s probably my top 5 favorite on the blog!
What is Picadillo?
Picadillo is a traditional dish in many Latin American countries. It is made with ground meat, most often beef, and often has tomatoes, olives and raisins. It is most commonly served with rice or in tacos.
Ingredients you’ll need
- Olive oil
- Ground beef
- Ground turkey (can use any ground meat you like)
- Spices – salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, paprika
- Tomato paste
- Marinara sauce (your favorite kind)
- Cherry tomatoes
- Green olives
- Chili flakes
How to make Picadillo
It’s actually super easy and comes together in less than 30 minutes all in one pan. (My favorite type of pan to use is stainless steel – here’s why, plus more tips on the best cookware for your kitchen!).
Take a look at this video to see exactly how.
Where Does Picadillo Come From?
Honestly? Straight from heaven! But for real, it’s a popular dish in Latin America and in the Philippines. “Picar” means “to mince,” which is why there’s ground meat in here. The LL makes a “y” sound, so it’s pronounced “peek-a-dee-yo.” Class dismissed! Now go make some!
This actually starts out pretty similarly to my Ground Taco Meat with Homemade Seasoning, and my 30-Minute Fettuccine Turkey Bolognese but with just a couple simple additions, it turns into something totally new and special.
What’s the best salt to use for cooking?
The Home Cook’s Guide to Salt
Learn about the basics of salt, plus the best salt for cooking (hint: it’s Kosher salt!) with this easy-to-understand guide to salt for home cooks.
How to Serve Picadillo
I really love how versatile this recipe is! Try it…
- Over rice (Coconut Rice would be delicious!)
- With quinoa
- In a taco
- In lettuce wraps
- Baked in a bell pepper
Easy Picadillo Leftovers
I make a big batch (2 lbs of meat!) because it’s one of the few dishes that makes leftovers I truly love. I’m not usually a leftovers person, but with this recipe I say sign me up. It’s so yum as lunch the next day!
25-Minute One Pan Picadillo (so flavorful!)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stove Top
Description
This easy one-pan recipe for Picadillo combines ground beef and turkey with spices and olives to create a simple dinner with bold, satisfying flavors!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground turkey (can use any ground meat you like)
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ¾ cup marinara sauce (your favorite kind)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 can green olives, halved
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
Instructions
- Heat a large pan over medium/high heat. Add the olive oil, ground beef, ground turkey, salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin and paprika. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat and cook through – about 7-9 minutes.
- Add the tomato paste, marinara sauce, cherry tomatoes, olives and chili flakes. Stir to combine and let simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve over rice, quinoa, in lettuce cups or on it’s own!
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Comments
Judy
I would love to add raisins to this. How many? What variety please?
Laney Schwartz
I think you could add whatever variety you like and as much as you like as well! Maybe about 1/2 cup?
Dana Whitt
I’ve made this recipe several times as-is but recently changed a couple of things last-minute due to limited ingredients on hand. I used one pound of ground turkey and one half of Trader Joe’s ready-made lentils (from the refrigerator section). As I was cooking along, I realized I didn’t have enough marinara, so I added in a can of diced fire-roasted tomatoes. YUM! Also, TJ’s recently discontinued their green olives, so I used the organic 365 brand from Whole Foods – they taste exactly the same! I ate it all week for lunches and either served it over Laney’s coconut rice or a bed of greens. SO GOOD!
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Ooooo I love the lentil idea!! How cool!
Julie
This is my favorite Life is But a Dish recipe. It pairs great with the coconut rice.
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Thank you Julie!
Mary P
This is always a winner when you don’t know what to make for dinner. This recipe is so versatile and as an olive lover, I could not be happier to enjoy that briney goodness!
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Yes! A great go-to!
Emily Stynsberg
How many oz is your jar of green olives you use?
Laney Schwartz
I think 15 oz?
Linda
I just made this recipe mostly to pack for lunch at the office this week. I am not a fan of raisins but when I saw that it’s traditionally made with them I decided to add some sweetness by mixing in a couple spoonfuls of brown sugar at the end while it was simmering. I used to never go rogue with recipes until I started following you a few years ago. You’ve inspired me to trust myself in the kitchen! This recipe is delicious & so easy to prepare! Thank you 🙂
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Oooooh I love that so much Linda!!
Suzanne Simon
This recipe was super easy and my whole family ate it no questions asked, despite the fact that the kids have never eaten olives before in their life! I will definitely add this into the rotation.
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Well isn’t that the best compliment!!
Jennifer
This recipe is as delicious as it is easy. I made with ground turkey and ground chicken because we don’t eat beef. We served it over ready-made rice, keeping the easy-factor high. My family loved it. I will definitely make this recipe again and again.
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
SO happy the whole family loved it! Thanks for leaving a review
Jen
I keep portions of this Picadillo in my freezer at all times! I’m obsessed with it!
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Makes me so happy!
Julie
Delicious! Definitely a hit- I used a little less beef, more tomato sauce and served with a dollop of Greek yogurt and crusty bread. Would also be yummy on nachos, I bet.
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Oh delicious!! Yes, would be great on nachos!
Tara
A dinner favorite that the kids request weekly. Depending on timing, I make it in the IP or slow cooker. I serve it over rice and shredded cabbage for added texture. The heat of the picadillo slightly wilts the cabbage and it’s so good!
Laney Schwartz
Omg, I have cabbage in my fridge I gotta try that!
Rachel R
Love this recipe! I was skeptical but my whole family loves it. We always serve it with your coconut rice. Yummy!
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
I love when it’s a hit with the whole fam!
Kylee Belstler
FINALLY made this for the 1st time last evening – SO YUMMY! We ate it over Coconut Rice & was so delicious.
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
So yummy!! Thank you for leaving a review!
Lauren Melignano
I love this recipe and think it goes beautifully with your coconut rice recipe!! Absolutely delicious and super quick and easy for busy weeknights!! Thanks, Laney for all your wonderful recipes!
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Thank you Lauren! SO happy you love it as much as I do!
Sweet Sue
Good recipe but it’s missing one crucial element. The unique contrast between olives and raisins is what gives picadillo its special taste.
★★★
Laney Schwartz
You can totally add raisins! I’m not a raisin fan so I choose not to but I can see how the sweet and salty would be lovely!
Valerie
Love this easy recipe! The whole family enjoyed! We even made tacos from it.
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Love that you turned it into tacos!
Geri
Love this recipe! I’ve made it as-is and with some substitutions with different things I’ve had on hand and it always comes out great!!
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
It’s one of my favorite as well. I’m so happy you love it! Thanks for the great review!
TLy
Love this! I’ve been wanting to try this dish but the teaditional recipie was really intimidating me! This is so yummy and so much easier!
TLy
I did use spanish olives not the Trader Joes ones. Those tasted like regular olives to me which wouldnt give the briney kick the Spanish olives do
Mary
So tasty and easy to pull together! Thank you for a stupidly delicious recipe!
★★★★★
Donna
Just made it for the first time.
Yummy ! Definitely Will make it again. I served it over spaghetti squash with avocado on top and my husband had it with coconut rice and a salad. Adding this to the dinner rotation. 😊
Donna
Do I need to drain the ground beef?
Life is but a Dish
If there’s a ton of fat you can, I never need to
Ed lane
I love this recipe. I agree about leftovers the more it sits the better it gets
★★★★★
Jessica Bamba
I love this recipe so much and will keep this in rotation! Thanks Laney!
★★★★★
Allison
Love this! I’ve made it twice and it’s always great, especially on top of Laney’s coconut rice!
★★★★★
Life is but a Dish
That’s my favorite way to eat it as well!
Brianna
A favorite that I make at least every two weeks! Quick to throw together, too. Thanks Laney!
★★★★★
Erica
So yummy!
★★★★★
Ali
Laney this was so delish! I love when I can find a recipe that I have all the items for already. What I love about your recipes is that they are easy to follow, to the point and even my husband can do it! Lol! I also want to bathe in it, so i don’t think that’s gross at all! I served with rice and lettuce cups on the side. Even my toddler at it all up!
Life is but a Dish
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you all enjoyed it!
Sarah
This was so good!! I am not a big olive lover but I bought the Lindsay brand listed in a previous comment and they were really mild and tasty. Can’t wait to take the leftovers to work for lunch. Thank you for sharing this recipe!!!!
★★★★★
Amy
do you think I could freeze and re-heat?
Life is but a Dish
Absolutely!
Katie
For anyone that doesn’t have access to Trader Joe’s, the Lindsay brand ripe green olives (in a red can) are exactly the same and I find them at both Kroger and Publix!
Life is but a Dish
Good to know!