Main Course · Dinner · Caribbean ·

Zesty Cuban Picadillo with Green Olives and Raisins

Name: Zesty Cuban Picadillo with Green Olives and Raisins
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 large onion, finely chopped; 1 green bell pepper, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 pound ground beef; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 1/3 cup green olives, sliced; 1/4 cup raisins; 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with juice; 1/4 cup tomato sauce; 1/4 cup dry white wine

This vibrant Cuban Picadillo offers a delightful balance of sweet and tangy flavors, complete with green olives and plump raisins for a unique twist.

4.2(962 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·September 14, 2025

Zesty Cuban Picadillo with Green Olives and Raisins — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

15 min

Cook

45 min

Difficulty

Easy

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Picadillo Base

For the Meat Mixture

For the Sweet and Savory Additions

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 386 kcal
Protein: 24.2 g
Carbs: 18 g
Fat: 24.4 g
Fiber: 3.6 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1543 kcal
Protein: 96.9 g
Carbs: 72 g
Fat: 97.4 g
Fiber: 14.4 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
2 tablespoons olive oil	239	0	0	27	0
1 large onion finely chopped	44	1.2	10	0.1	1.9
1 green bell pepper diced	24	1	6	0.2	2
3 cloves garlic minced	13	0.6	3	0	0.2
1 pound ground beef	920	88	0	64	0
1 teaspoon ground cumin	8	0.4	1	0.5	0.5
1 teaspoon smoked paprika	6	0.3	1.1	0.3	0.8
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon	3	0.1	0.9	0	0.6
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
1/3 cup green olives sliced	52	0.4	2.8	4.7	2.6
1/4 cup raisins	109	1.1	29	0.1	1.3
1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice	60	2	14	0.4	3.5
1/4 cup tomato sauce	17	0.8	4	0.2	1
1/4 cup dry white wine	48	0.1	1.2	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Prepping the Vegetables

1
Heat Olive Oil
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2
Sauté Vegetables
Add chopped onions and diced green bell pepper, sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
3
Cook Garlic
Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute.

Combining the Meat and Spices

1
Add Beef
Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet, add ground beef.
2
Brown the Beef
Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula.
Tip: Ensure the ground beef is browned thoroughly to avoid any raw spots.
3
Mix Spices
Mix in cumin, smoked paprika, cinnamon, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Tip: You can substitute beef with ground turkey for a leaner option.

How to Make Zesty Cuban Picadillo with Green Olives and Raisins

Total time: 1 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Sautéing the Base
Add the chopped onions, garlic, and bell peppers to the heated olive oil.
2
Mixing the Flavors
Combine the cooked meat, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce with the sautéed base.
3
Simmering for Depth
Stir in sliced olives, raisins, and white wine; simmer until the sauce thickens.