A cornerstone of Cuban cuisine — Picadillo Cubano turns humble ground beef into something irresistible with a fragrant sofrito, a splash of wine, and the sweet-and-briny surprise of raisins, olives and capers. This is the filling Cubans tuck into empanadas and papas rellenas, but it shines just as brightly spooned over a mound of white rice. Every family has a version, and every version is right.
Picadillo Cubano
A cornerstone of Cuban cuisine — Picadillo Cubano turns humble ground beef into something irresistible with a fragrant sofrito, a splash of wine, and the sweet-and-briny surprise of raisins, olives and capers.

Step by stepInstructions
- Heat the oil in a large skillet or caldero over medium heat and cook the onion, bell pepper and garlic until soft, about 8 minutes.
- Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until it browns, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in the cumin, oregano and bay leaves, then add the tomato sauce and wine, and season with salt and pepper.
- Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Fold in the raisins, olives and capers, and simmer for 5 minutes more, until the raisins plump.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning; the balance of sweet, briny and savory is the signature of this dish.
- Serve over white rice, or use as a filling for empanadas and papas rellenas.
💡 Chef tips & storage
A splash of vinegar at the end brightens the flavors the way Cuban cooks do. Many families add a diced potato with the tomato sauce to stretch the dish and give it body.

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