Meating Filling (Picadillo) is a popular meat mixture in the Latin culture. It is prepared and mainly used as a filling for many Puerto Rican dishes like alcapurrias, piononos, piñón, pastelón, pastelillos, rellenos de papa, etc. We traditionally prepare the meat filling with ground beef. However, since most of my recipes are a healthier version of the Puerto Rican cuisine, I prefer to use the ground turkey.
Picadillo comes from the Spanish term to “picar” which means to chop or to mince. When completely cooked along with all the ingredients, the ground turkey should have a chopped or minced texture. The Meat Filling (Picadillo) can also be served with white rice for a complete meal when not used as a meat filling.
Preparing the Meat Filling Known as Picadillo!
Pour 1 to 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil into the skillet, ½ teaspoon of Lite salt (or to taste), ½ teaspoon oregano leaves and 3 minced garlic cloves.
Continue by pouring ⅓ cup of tomato sauce, 1½ teaspoons capers, 8 pimiento-stuffed green olives, chopped or cut into halves, 3 sprigs of chopped cilantro and 2 tablespoons of sofrito made with culantro.
Our Sofrito is a special blend of herbs and vegetables sautéed in annatto oil and tomato sauce. It is the basic condiment that gives the Puerto Rican cuisine its unique flavor and aroma. Today the puréed herbs and vegetables that is prepared in advance for future use is commonly referred to as “Sofrito.” Click on the link to learn how to make a large batch of Sofrito or How to Make Sofrito for a Single Meal
Add 2 seasoning envelopes with coriander and annatto (to add color and flavor).
Click on the link to learn how to create your own Special Blend of Seasonings.
Stir all the ingredients until well blended and sauté for 3 to 5 minutes over low heat.
Cooking the Ground Turkey for the Meat Filling!
Let’s add 1 pound of ground turkey. You can use ground beef if you so desire.
Stir the ground turkey until it is completely coated with the tomato-oil based sauce. Cover skillet with lid and cook over medium-low heat for approximately 3 minutes.
After 3 minutes of cooking, stir the meat frequently to obtain a minced or chopped texture by continuing to break up the meat with the spoon. Cover skillet with lid and continue cooking for approximately 25 minutes but this time stirring occasionally.
Meat Filling (Picadillo) is Ready!
The Meat Filling (Picadillo) has the uniform minced texture that we are looking for. The Picadillo can now be used as a meat filling or it can be served over white rice for a complete meal.
Click on the link to learn How to Prepare White Rice.
Click on the button below to watch my YouTube video on How to Prepare the Picadillo (Meat Filling)!
Recipe and Nutritional Facts
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. Please refer to our Nutritional Facts Disclaimer for more information.
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Meat Filling (Picadillo)
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Cook Time: 35 Minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 Servings 1x
Description
Meat Filling (Picadillo)is a popular meat mixture in the Latin culture. It is prepared and mainly used as a filling for many Puerto Rican dishes like alcapurrias, piononos, piñón, pastelón, pastelillos, rellenos de papa, etc.
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon of Lite salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon oregano leaves
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- ⅓ cup tomato sauce
- 1½ teaspoons capers
- 8 pimiento-stuffed green olives, chopped or cut into halves
- 2 tablespoons sofrito made with culantro
- 3 sprigs cilantro, chopped
- 2 seasoning envelopes with coriander and annatto
- 1 pound ground turkey
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients into a 10-inch skillet except for the ground turkey over low heat. Stir until well blended and saute for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add the ground turkey and stir until it is completely coated with the tomato-oil based sauce.
- Cover skillet with lid and cook over medium low heat for approximately 3 minutes.
- Stir the meat frequently to obtain a minced or chopped texture, breaking up the meat with a spoon.
- Continue cooking for approximately 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cover skillet with lid.
- Category: Meat Filling Dish
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Puerto Rican
Keywords: Meat Filling, Picadillo
