Instant Pot Picadillo Recipe
This Instant Pot Picadillo is a quick and easy dinner made with ground beef, onion, bell pepper, and tomato sauce. It's a flavorful Cuban recipe that pairs perfectly with rice for a complete meal. I grew up eating this dish, and it's always on rotation in my house because it's my kids' favorite and so simple to make.
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 lb 93% Lean ground beef
- 1/2 Large onion chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 Tomato chopped
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- 1/2 Red bell pepper finely chopped
- 2 tbsp Cilantro chopped
- 4 oz 1/2 can Tomato sauce (I like Goya)
- 1 tsp ground Cumin
- 1-2 Bay leaves
- 2 tbsp Alcaparrado or use capers or green olives
Instructions
- Sauté the Beef: Press the sauté button on your Instant Pot. Once hot, add the ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Use a wooden spoon to break the meat into small pieces and cook until it's no longer pink.
- Add Vegetables and Spices: Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, chopped tomato, salt, pepper, and cilantro to the pot. Stir for about 1 minute. Then add the alcaparrado (or olives) along with about 2 tablespoons of the brine (this adds great flavor), cumin, and bay leaves.
- Add Sauce and Cook: Pour in the tomato sauce and 3 tablespoons of water. Mix everything well. Cover the Instant Pot and set it to high pressure for 15 minutes.
- Release and Serve: Once cooking is complete, you can either use natural or quick pressure release. Open the lid and enjoy your delicious Picadillo! Serve it over rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- For the best flavor, use fresh garlic, onions, and cilantro.
- Adding a bit of olive brine enhances the dish's overall flavor.
- Let the Instant Pot naturally release pressure for a few minutes before quick release to keep the meat tender.