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Picadillo with raisins, rich meat dish served with vegetables and raisins
Spiced picadillo with raisins, garnished with fresh cilantro

Sweet & Savory Mexican Picadillo with Raisins

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Main Courses
This Mexican Picadillo variation relies on a bold play of flavors: a perfect example of the 'agrodolce' (sweet and sour) style. The contrast of salty meat, acidic tomato, and sweet raisins might be surprising at first, but it makes the dish unforgettable. This filling is often used for 'chiles en nogada' (stuffed peppers), but is a feast on its own served with rice.
🕒 Prep Time 15 mins
🍳 Cook Time 40 mins
⌛ Total Time 55 mins
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 550 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Mexican

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Deep skillet
  • Cutting board

Instructions

1 ✓

Prep ingredients: Finely chop onion and garlic. Dice pepper, tomatoes, and potatoes into small cubes.

Tip: Uniform dicing is not just aesthetic; it ensures even cooking time.
2 ✓

Sauté onion and garlic in oil. Add ground meat and cook until browned.

Tip: Browned bits (fond) give the ragu depth.
3 ✓

Stir in tomatoes, pepper, and spices (salt, pepper, cumin, sugar). Cook for a few minutes until tomatoes release their juice.

Tip: Tomato juice deglazes the pan, lifting tasty meat bits from the bottom.
4 ✓

Add potatoes, raisins, and water. Cover and simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes.

Tip: Raisins swell during cooking and absorb the spicy juices.
5 ✓

When potatoes are tender, remove lid and reduce sauce until thick. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro before serving.

Tip: Cilantro's citrusy notes freshen up the sweetness of the raisins.

Recipe FAQ

Won't it be too sweet?
Raisins only add pinpoint sweetness that highlights the salty meat, not turning the whole dish into dessert.
Can I substitute raisins?
Dried cranberries are interesting, but raisins are the authentic choice.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Ground Beef (or Beef/Pork mix)
  • 1 small Yellow Onion
  • 3 cloves Garlic
  • 1 pc Green Bell Pepper
  • 2 pcs Ripe Tomatoes
  • 1/3 cup Raisins
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 2 pcs Potatoes
  • 1 tsp Ground Cumin
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Pepper
  • 1 tsp Sugar (optional, if tomatoes are acidic)
  • 1 bunch Fresh Cilantro
  • 3/4 cup Water