Green Chile Picadillo is a delicious and hearty dish made with ground beef, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, and a generous amount of green chilies. It’s a flavorful, comforting meal often served with rice or tortillas. This dish is popular in Mexican and Southwestern cuisine and offers a perfect balance of spice and savory goodness.Here’s a simple recipe to make Green Chile Picadillo:
Green Chile Picadillo
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef (you can also use ground pork or turkey)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 large potatoes, peeled and diced into small cubes
- 1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies or 2 fresh green chilies, finely chopped (adjust to taste)
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (or 2 fresh tomatoes, chopped)
- 1/2 cup beef or chicken broth (or water)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Brown the Meat:
- In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon or spatula, until it is browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Once browned, drain any excess fat if necessary, and set the meat aside.
2. Cook the Potatoes:
- In the same pan, add a bit more oil if needed, and sauté the diced potatoes over medium heat until they begin to soften and brown, about 7-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Once they’re lightly golden, remove them from the pan and set aside with the cooked ground beef.
3. Sauté the Onions and Garlic:
- Add the chopped onion to the same skillet and cook for about 3 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Combine and Simmer:
- Add the cooked ground beef and potatoes back into the pan with the onions and garlic.
- Stir in the green chilies, diced tomatoes, and beef or chicken broth.
- Season with cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Stir everything together and bring to a simmer. Let it cook uncovered for 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender and the flavors meld together. Stir occasionally.
5. Adjust Seasoning and Serve:
- Taste the picadillo and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or cumin as needed.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.
6. Serving Suggestions:
- Serve the Green Chile Picadillo with rice or tortillas. It can also be eaten in tacos, burritos, or as a filling for enchiladas.
Tips:
- Green Chilies: If you like more heat, add jalapeños or other spicy chilies to the picadillo.
- Meat Variations: You can swap out the ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or pork. For a more traditional picadillo, you can also use ground lamb.
- Vegetable Additions: You can add other vegetables like carrots, peas, or corn to this dish to make it heartier and more colorful.
- Make it Spicy: Add more fresh green chilies, chili powder, or hot sauce to increase the spice level.
This Green Chile Picadillo is a versatile and flavorful dish that brings together the richness of ground beef, the earthiness of potatoes, and the warmth of green chilies. It’s a great meal for any day of the week!
