Picadillo

Picadillo

Some meals just feel right for family dinner, and Picadillo is one of them. It’s warm, comforting, and full of familiar flavors that appeal to both kids and adults alike. This is the kind of dish that brings everyone to the table, ready to eat, talk, and enjoy time together.

Picadillo has long been known as an easygoing, everyday meal—something hearty enough to satisfy growing appetites while still being simple and approachable. This version stays true to that spirit, offering rich flavor without being overly spicy or complicated. It’s comfort food that feels homemade in the best possible way.

Comfort Food with Texture and Heart

Picadillo is known not just for flavor, but for texture. This dish strikes a wonderful balance between tender and hearty, with each bite offering something slightly different. The slow simmer allows everything to soften and meld while still holding its shape, making the dish both satisfying and spoonable.

It’s the type of comfort food that fills you up without weighing you down, making it just as suitable for a cozy family dinner as it is for leftovers the next day. In fact, Picadillo might be one of those dishes that tastes even better after it’s had time to rest.

A Dish That Tells a Story

More than anything, Picadillo is a storytelling dish. It reflects tradition, practicality, and care. It’s the type of meal that’s passed down, tweaked, and remembered—not because it’s flashy, but because it works. It shows up on busy weeknights and slow weekends alike, offering comfort without fuss.

If you’re looking for a meal that feels timeless yet full of flavor, Picadillo delivers every time. It’s nourishing, cozy, and deeply satisfying—the kind of dish that reminds you why simple food, done well, is often the most memorable.

Recipe and imagery developed by Colleen at Souffle Bombay, check out her blog post for her tips and tricks!

Ingredients

For Roasted Vegetable Salsa

  • 4 plum tomatoes (however any type of tomato will work about 1.5 cups full)
  • ½ Vidalia onion
  • 1 jalapenos (more or less to spice tolerance)
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • S&P
  • ½ TBS avocado or olive oil
  • 1/3 cup water

For Picadillo

  • 1 TBS avocado or olive oil
  • ½ vidalia onion, chopped
  • 1 pound ground veal
  • 1 large russet potato, peeled and cut into small cubes
  • ¾ cup diced or sliced carrots
  • 1 jalapeno sliced (or poblano or green pepper for no heat)
  • S&P
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • (optional) 2 TBS tomato paste, tomato flakes or ⅕ TBS tomato bullion (if using bullion add less salt)
  • ½ cup beef broth
  • ½ a fresh lime

Instructions

  1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Cut each tomato into chunks and toss onto the sheet.
  3. Cut your onion in half and then cut that half into a few rings, separating them a bit and toss onto the sheet.
  4. Cut your jalapeno into a few pieces and toss onto the sheet.
  5. Smash your garlic cloves slightly and toss onto the baking sheet.
  6. Season vegetables with some salt and black pepper and drizzle with a ½ TBS olive oil. Toss and bake at 350 for 25 minutes.
  7. Pull from the oven, place into your blender, as well as any juice on the baking sheet. Add in ½ cup of water and pulse till smooth. Set aside.
  8. In a large sauté pan or Dutch oven, add 1 TBS avocado oil and the other half of the onion. Sauté for a couple minutes.
  9. Add in the ground veal and seasonings. Breaking up the veal with the back of a spoon or spatula.
  10. Once veal has almost cooked through, add in potatoes, carrots and jalapenos stirring to incorporate.
  11. Pour in the tomato mixture.
  12. Add in tomato paste (or flake or tomato bullion) if using.
  13. Add in beef broth and stir to incorporate.
  14. Cover with a lid and simmer on low for 20-25 minutes or until potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally. Add additional water or beef broth if needed.
  15. Taste and adjust seasoning.

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