This Easy Cuban Picadillo recipe uses ground turkey simmered in tomato sauce, olives, beans, raisins, and spices. A healthy dinner option, it’s the perfect mixture served over rice, on rolls, or as taco filling!
When life gets consumed with kids’ school projects and sports activities, our dinners start consisting of hot dogs, chili cheese fries, and nachos. And I am quickly so over it.
But then I’m sent pimiento stuffed olives and coupons for Jennie-O turkey (LOVE those mail days!) and I’m able to put together a much needed healthier, delicious dinner for the family. At the table!
Picadillo is a traditional dish in many Latin American countries; it’s made with ground beef, diced tomatoes, and other ingredients that vary by region. Cuban-style typically includes olives, which in this case get combined with ground turkey, beans, tomato sauce, and raisins.
What Makes This Picadillo Recipe So Great
- Between the olives, tomato sauce, beans, ground turkey, and raisins, it’s a perfect combination of salty and sweet.
- This picadillo is so fast to make – it’s less than 15 minutes of cooking.
- It’s incredibly versatile. Serve it over rice, on rolls like a sloppy joe, or as a filling for tacos!
Recipe Variations
- Substitute a different meat if you don’t have (or don’t like) ground turkey. Ground beef is traditional for picadillo.
- Use a different type of bean. I love chickpeas in this dish, but most any type of bean would work.
- Apple cider vinegar is best for this dish, but you can use white or red wine vinegar instead.
- Toss in 1 tablespoon of capers for added flavor.
Is Picadillo spicy?
It can be, though this recipe is not very spicy and can be made even less spicy by omitting the red pepper flakes.
Can you freeze Picadillo?
You sure can! Just wait until the mixture has completely cooled, then put it in an air-tight container meant for the freezer. When ready to serve, let it thaw completely then warm it up over medium heat on the stove.
What goes well with Picadillo?
This is great used as taco filling or over rice, but I also serve it with these:
Other Ground Turkey Recipes to Try!
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
How To Make This Picadillo Recipe
Easy Cuban Picadillo
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 1/4 pounds lean ground turkey
- 1 small sweet onion , diced
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1/2 cup Pimiento stuffed olives , sliced in half
- 15 ounce can chickpeas , rinsed and drained
- 1/3 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 15 ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- pinch red pepper flakes
- cooked white rice , rolls, or taco shells, for serving
- plain Greek yogurt , optional
Instructions
- In a large nonstick skillet, warm oil over medium-high. Add turkey, onion, and garlic; cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until the turkey is no longer pink and the onion is soft, about 3 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Drain off fat.
- Stir in the olives, chickpeas, raisins, chicken broth, vinegar, tomato sauce, salt, cumin, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a medium-low simmer and cook for about 10 minutes, until chickpeas are tender, but not mushy, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Serve on top of rice, on rolls, or as taco filling, with a dollop of yogurt, if desired.
Nutrition
Mom says
Interesting combination of olives and raisins with the ground turkey. I would try as a taco filling for a new taste sensation.
Happy Valley Chow says
What a wonderful recipe with tons of great flavor. Thanks for sharing, PINNED!!
Barb says
I’ve been cooking my lunch for the week to save money and lose weight. Made this yesterday, and it is delicious! I did omit the raisins. I’m not a fan of them in savory dishes. I’ll save them for cookies. Thanks for the recipe!