Mexican Picadillo

Mexican Picadillo is a savory, comforting ground meat hash that typically features beef simmered with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and potatoes. The dish is often enriched with a variety of mix-ins like olives, raisins, capers, and spices such as cumin and cinnamon, creating a complex sweet and savory flavor profile. It is a staple home-cooked meal throughout Mexico and Latin America, often served with warm tortillas, rice, or beans.

🍳 View the full Mexican Picadillo recipe →

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is a well-balanced meal that is moderately high in protein from the ground beef and provides a good amount of carbohydrates from the potatoes. It is a rich source of iron, zinc, and B vitamins, with a rough calorie ballpark of around 400-500 calories per serving, depending on the fat content of the meat and added ingredients.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	350 kcal
Protein	25 g
Carbs	20 g
Fat	18 g
Fiber	4 g
Sugar	5 g
Sodium	800 mg
Iron	4 mg
Potassium	600 mg
Vitamin C	15 mg
Vitamin A	300 mcg RAE
Calcium	80 mg
Zinc	5 mg
Vitamin B12	2.5 mcg
Niacin (B3)	6 mg

Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, Picadillo is a fascinating dish because its name derives from the Spanish word 'picar' (to chop), and it has countless regional variations across Mexico, with some versions being spicy and others sweet. Nutritionally, the addition of raisins and olives provides a unique blend of antioxidants and healthy fats, making it a surprisingly nutrient-dense comfort food.