Picadillo a la Habanera (Cuban Ground Beef with Olives, Capers & Golden Potatoes) – Authentic Cuba Recipe
Havana home-kitchen icon balancing savory cumin-spiced beef with briny green olives and golden potatoes.
- Country of Origin
- 🇨🇺 Cuba (Caribbean, Americas)
- Dietary Profile
- omnivore
- Prep Time
- 15 min
- Cook Time
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Signature Staples
- Seasoned ground beef (or lentils), Crispy diced potato cubes, Spanish green olives and raisins, Cuban sofrito (onion, Bell pepper
Ingredients for Picadillo a la Habanera (Cuban Ground Beef with Olives, Capers & Golden Potatoes) (4 Servings)
- 1.25 lbs (or 2.5 cups) seasoned ground beef (or lentils), prepped into bite-sized pieces
- 1.5 cups crispy diced potato cubes, washed and trimmed
- 1 cup Spanish green olives and raisins
- 1 medium onion and 3 cloves garlic, finely minced with Cuban sofrito (onion
- 1.5 tbsp traditional Cuba seasoning (bell pepper, garlic), cumin, oregano, bay leaf)
- 2.5 tbsp traditional cooking oil, sea salt, cracked black pepper, and fresh citrus or herbs
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
- Heat oil in a wide heavy skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Sauté onion, garlic, and Cuban sofrito (onion for 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add seasoned ground beef (or lentils) and crispy diced potato cubes along with bell pepper, garlic), cumin, oregano, bay leaf, searing for 8–10 minutes while tossing occasionally.
- Deglaze the pan with a splash of broth or citrus so the caramelized fond coats every bite.
- Garnish with Spanish green olives and raisins and serve straight from the skillet.