Green Chile Picadillo (Picadillo Verde)
Green Chile Picadillo (also called Picadillo Verde) is a comforting Southwestern dish made with ground beef, potatoes, and roasted green chiles simmered in a savory, mildly spicy sauce. It’s simple, hearty, and perfect for serving in tortillas, over rice, or alongside warm beans.
Ingredients
Serves 4–6
1 lb (450g) ground beef
1 tablespoon olive oil (if needed)
1 small onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced small
1½ cups roasted green chiles, chopped (fresh or canned, drained)
1 cup beef broth
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional: ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Optional garnish: chopped cilantro
Instructions
1️⃣ Brown the Beef
Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
Drain excess fat if necessary.
If using lean beef, you may need 1 tablespoon olive oil before cooking.
2️⃣ Add Aromatics
Add diced onion to the skillet.
Cook 3–4 minutes until softened.
Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3️⃣ Add Potatoes & Seasoning
Stir in diced potatoes.
Add cumin, oregano, paprika (if using), salt, and pepper.
Mix well to coat everything evenly.
4️⃣ Simmer with Green Chiles
Add chopped green chiles.
Pour in beef broth.
Bring to a gentle simmer.
Cover and cook 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender and most liquid has reduced.
If mixture becomes too dry before potatoes are cooked, add a splash of broth.
5️⃣ Final Touch
Taste and adjust salt and spice.
Sprinkle with fresh cilantro if desired.
How to Serve
Wrapped in warm flour tortillas
Over steamed white or Mexican rice
With refried beans
Inside burritos or tacos
Topped with shredded cheese
Make It Spicier
Add diced jalapeño when cooking onions
Use hot Hatch green chiles
Stir in a dash of hot sauce
Variations
Substitute ground turkey or pork
Add diced carrots or peas for a traditional twist
Top with a fried egg for breakfast-style picadillo
Storage
Refrigerate up to 4 days
Freeze up to 3 months
Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave
