Cuban · beginner
Cuban Picadillo Beef Skillet With Sweet Raisins And Green Olives
A comforting Cuban ground beef skillet simmered with aromatics, warm spices, briny green olives, and sweet golden raisins for a classic sweet-and-savory balance.
- PREP TIME
- 15 min
- COOK TIME
- 25 min
- SERVES
- 4
Good things
start in the kitchen.
LET’S MAKE IT
Step by step
- 01
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, then sauté the onion, green pepper, and garlic for 5 minutes until softened.
- 02
Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, and cook for 7 minutes until evenly browned.
- 03
Stir in the ground cumin, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 04
Add the tomato paste and one-half cup of warm water, stirring thoroughly to integrate into a smooth sauce.
- 05
Fold in the sliced green olives and golden raisins, cover the skillet, and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes.
- 06
Uncover the skillet and cook for an additional 3 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken before serving hot over warm rice.
A LITTLE KITCHEN KNOW-HOW
Sofrito Building
Cooking aromatic vegetables low and slow in fat to establish a deeply savory flavor base for the dish.
Notes from the kitchen
- Using pimiento-stuffed olives adds both vibrant color and a mild tang that balances the rich beef.
- Simmering covered allows the raisins to plump up and release their subtle sweetness into the gravy.
- Original home-cooking adaptation inspired by Cuban; regional versions vary.
- Use halal-certified meat, poultry, stock, sauces, cheese and other processed ingredients. Check labels and avoid cross-contamination. Recipe screening is not halal certification.