Dominican-Style Beef Picadillo (Carne Molida)
This Dominican-style picadillo, or carne molida, is a savory ground beef dish cooked with bell peppers, onions, garlic, olives, and tomato sauce. It is a staple in many Dominican homes, served over white rice or used as a filling for empanadas and pastelitos.
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 178kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (15 ml)
- ½ bell pepper, chopped (75 g)
- ½ medium red onion, chopped (75 g)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced (6 g)
- 1 pound lean ground beef (454 g)
- 1 teaspoon adobo seasoning (5 g)
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper (1 g)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (1 g)
- 1 teaspoon sazón seasoning, culantro and achiote (4 g)
- ¼ cup tomato sauce (60 ml)
- 1 cup water (240 ml)
- 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice (5 ml)
- 1 tablespoon sliced pimento-stuffed green olives (15 g)
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, roughly chopped (4 g)
Instructions
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Add the ground beef and cook while breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Season with adobo, black pepper, oregano, and sazón. Stir well to combine.
- Continue cooking until the beef is fully browned and no longer pink, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, water, and olives. Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has evaporated and the mixture thickens, about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Stir in the lime juice and cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve warm over white rice or use as a filling for empanadas or pastelitos.
Video
Notes
- This is a classic Dominican-style carne molida, simple and savory without sweetness. Some variations may include raisins for a sweet and savory contrast.
- Use lean ground beef to prevent excess grease. If using higher-fat beef, drain excess fat before adding the tomato sauce.
- You can substitute ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles.
- Adjust the amount of water depending on how saucy or dry you prefer the picadillo.
Nutrition
Calories: 178kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 184mg | Potassium: 517mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 559IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 3mg