Slow Cooker Picadillo Recipe
Slow Cooker Picadillo is a flavorful, comforting Cuban dish made with ground beef simmered in a savory tomato sauce with olives, capers, and aromatic spices. This easy, hands-off recipe lets the slow cooker do the work, infusing the beef with rich flavors and tender textures. Perfect served over rice for a hearty meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours (low) to 4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes (low) to 4 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Cuban
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 2 lbs. ground beef
- 1 white onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup diced Roma tomatoes (about 2 tomatoes)
Wet Ingredients
- 8 oz. can tomato sauce
Other Flavorings
- ½ cup Manzanilla olives
- ¼ cup capers
- 1 tsp. cumin
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. black pepper
- ¼ cup chopped parsley (plus more for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon for even cooking. Drain any excess fat to ensure the dish isn’t greasy.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the chopped onion and diced red bell pepper to the skillet with the beef. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables begin to soften. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release its aroma.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker: Move the browned beef and sautéed vegetable mixture into the slow cooker to prepare for slow simmering.
- Add Tomatoes and Flavorings: Incorporate the diced Roma tomatoes, tomato sauce, Manzanilla olives, and capers into the slow cooker. Sprinkle in the cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly. Place the bay leaves on top to infuse flavor during cooking.
- Slow Cook the Picadillo: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. This slow simmering allows the flavors to meld and the beef to become tender.
- Finish and Garnish: Once cooking is complete, remove the bay leaves. Stir in the chopped parsley for freshness. Serve the picadillo hot, ideally with a side of rice. Garnish with additional fresh parsley before serving to enhance appearance and flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for ground beef for a lighter variant.
- For added sweetness, include a tablespoon of raisins during slow cooking.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes with the spices.
- This dish freezes well; store in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
- Leftovers can be reheated on the stovetop or microwave until warmed through.
Keywords: Slow Cooker Picadillo, Cuban Beef Stew, Ground Beef Recipe, Slow Cooker Dinner, Comfort Food, Olive and Caper Beef
Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/slow-cooker-picadillo-recipe/
