Puerto Rican Carne Molida (Picadillo Style Ground Beef) {Recipe}

April 25, 2016 By Melanie Edwards 32 Comments

If you’re looking for simple recipes with ground beef, you may want to give this carne molida recipe a try. Carne molida is a Puerto Rican ground beef recipe that is similar to picadillo (a name that might be more familiar). However, Puerto Rican carne molida is slightly different than Cuban picadillo and is cooked with potatoes and carrots. They’re both delicious dishes, though!

I grew up eating carne molida and it’s still a regular part of my weekly menu plan. It’s such an easy ground beef recipe and it’s pretty versatile too, since you can use it as a filling for other foods. I love to eat it served over white rice, as does my husband. Something I often do is substitute the ground beef with ground turkey to make my carne molida recipe a bit healthier! If you want to learn how to make the real deal, here’s my family’s recipe for Puerto Ricancarne molida!

Puerto Rican Carne Molida (Ground Beef) Recipe

Ingredients

3 lbs ground beef
1 Tbsp adobo
3/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 Tbsp meat tenderizer
1 Tbsp olive oil
Sazón, 1 packet
1 1/2 Tbsp tomato paste
2 1/2 Tbsp tomato sauce
2 Tbsp sofrito (or recaito)
10-11 green olives (Spanish salad olives) + 1-2 tsp of olive liquid
2-3 small potatoes, peeled, rinsed, and cubed
about 10 baby carrots, rinsed and chopped

Note:To see pictures and links for purchasing some of the ingredients used, read5 Must-Have Ingredients for Cooking Puerto Rican Food.

Directions

Season ground beef with adobo, black pepper, and meat tenderizer.
Heat a large pan to low-medium heat and add seasoned ground beef.
Add olive oil, sazón, tomato paste, tomato sauce, sofrito, green olives, cubed potatoes, and chopped carrots.
Cover pan and cook on low-medium heat until ground beef is browned, stirring occasionally.
Turn heat down to low and continue cooking until potatoes are tender and ground beef is well cooked. Stir occasionally.

Serve your carne molida with a side of white rice (or right on top of the rice as I prefer). Here’s an easy white rice recipe using a rice cooker!

What is your favorite recipe for ground beef? Have you ever tried carne molida or picadillo?

All photos © Melanie Edwards/modernmami™

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Vanessa, De Su Mama says
April 29, 2013 at 3:18 pm
This looks so delicious! I love picadillo, and will totally try this recipe out! Thanks so much!
Reply
hangingwithangie says
April 30, 2013 at 12:01 pm
Sounds delicious and looks delicious.
Reply
Dana says
July 14, 2013 at 7:52 pm
looks ok…
Reply
J says
October 11, 2013 at 9:50 am
This looks delicious! So happy I stumbled about your website. I love it – thank you!
Reply
- Melanie Edwards says
  October 14, 2013 at 11:45 am
  You’re most welcome! Enjoy the recipe. 🙂
  Reply
  - Carol says
    See Also
    Easy Lemon Dump Cake Recipe without Cream Cheese - Meatloaf and Melodrama Three Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes S’mores Crunchwrap Recipe - Mind Over Munch How to Create a Decadent Holiday Dessert Bar - Simply Made Recipes
    June 17, 2020 at 10:51 am
    Looks delicious I’m going to try it. How many servings does this make?
    Reply
    - Melanie Edwards says
      July 2, 2020 at 11:08 am
      I am not sure of the exact number of servings, but I know that it provides enough for our family of 4 and many nights it even provides leftovers.
      Reply
Victor M Rodriguez says
January 13, 2014 at 5:45 pm
Sabroso! Lo trate!
Reply
- Melanie Edwards says
  January 16, 2014 at 12:48 pm
  Que bueno!
  Reply
cesar says
May 18, 2015 at 1:56 pm
Its good but number 3 step should of been number 2 but its great thanx for the recipe 🙂
Reply
- Melanie Edwards says
  May 18, 2015 at 2:04 pm
  I guess it could be cooked either way. I always add the beef first, then other ingredients. 😉
  Reply
Jackie says
August 24, 2015 at 4:14 pm
This looks delicious! I can’t wait to make it at home
Reply
- Melanie Edwards says
  August 26, 2015 at 11:09 am
  It really is delicious and so easy to make! Hope you enjoy!
  Reply
Ellen says
September 23, 2015 at 8:18 pm
Made this tonight was a big but with the family thanks for the recipe 🙂 will definitely make this again
Reply
- Melanie Edwards says
  See Also
  A Puerto Rican Food Staple: How to Make Homemade Puerto Rican Sofrito {Recipe} - modernmami™
  September 27, 2015 at 9:25 pm
  You’re welcome! I’m so glad he family enjoyed!
  Reply
tavoya says
November 9, 2015 at 7:38 pm
Can I make this in my slow cooker?
Reply
- Melanie Edwards says
  November 10, 2015 at 1:45 pm
  I wouldn’t recommend it. Ground beef tends to clump up in the slow cooker, if you’re not stirring it and breaking up the meat.
  Reply
Chiqui says
May 9, 2016 at 1:04 pm
Mi mama cuando le hechaba las papas la freia crispy que ricoooooooo
Reply
- Melanie Edwards says
  May 11, 2016 at 11:40 am
  Wow, nice touch! That sounds delicious!
  Reply
vera says
June 21, 2016 at 6:58 pm
Why can’t I just get the recipe? Why do have to get all the other pages that I’m NOT interested in? I don’t mind reading other’s opinions, I find them to be quite helpful, but I don’t want to waste my ink and paper printing them all out. Please, tell me how to get just the recipe!!! Nothing else! Thank you.
Reply
- Melanie Edwards says
  June 24, 2016 at 12:01 pm
  Vera, I would try looking at your print preview to see what pages specifically have the recipe and print just those. We’ll be adding a print recipe option in the future!
  Reply
KC says
October 27, 2016 at 6:52 pm
Also Vera, U very likely have an option checked that is “print all linked pages” [it may be worded somewhat differently- but essentially it’ll be something very close to that] I kno- because I used to wonder why I would get about 20 pgs printed when I really only wanted one recipe. So- please check that, I’m pretty sure that’s what it is. I can’t tell you EXACTLY where to look however- because every computer & operating system / printer has it’s options in a different spot. But DO look for that- and it is more than likely that…… Hope this helps.
KC
Reply
CHARLENE ZACARIAS says
November 26, 2016 at 10:42 pm
thank you for sharing your family recipe, I will be trying this recipe. looks so good!
Reply
- Melanie Edwards says
  November 28, 2016 at 11:11 am
  You’re so welcome! Hope you enjoy!
  Reply
Richard says
November 30, 2016 at 1:29 pm
Wouldn’t it be better if you brown the meat first, drain the liquid and then add the ingredients??? Excuse the question if it’s dumb, but I am a novice cooker.
Reply
- Melanie Edwards says
  December 1, 2016 at 2:04 pm
  No problem at all, Richard – thanks for asking! I know that this is a very popular method for cooking ground beef, but in this case we wnt to retain the liquid. 🙂 However, if you wanted a lower-fat version, you could certainly brown the beef first, drain the liquid, then add all ingredients and simmer, as you’ve suggested. It would just not have the “gravy” that the above posted recipe provides.
  Reply
Rachael Rios says
July 19, 2018 at 11:13 pm
Thank you for your recipes. I made this and 2 others and everyone was shocked at how good it was and so easy too!
Reply
- Melanie Edwards says
  July 25, 2018 at 11:07 am
  That’s so great to hear – thanks for making them and sharing with me!
  Reply
Marge says
July 26, 2018 at 4:58 pm
Thank you for the recipe it gave me a new variation on my family recipe. I was also accustomed to the fried potatoes version.
Reply
- Melanie Edwards says
  September 17, 2018 at 9:27 am
  You’re so welcome!
  Reply
Julie Davis says
April 23, 2021 at 6:31 pm
So you don’t drain the meat?
Reply
- Melanie Edwards says
  June 24, 2021 at 11:03 am
  You can to decrease the grease.
  Reply

FAQs

Is carne molida the same as ground beef? ›

Carne molida is a Spanish term that translates to “ground meat” in English. It refers to any type of meat that has been finely ground or minced, typically beef, but it can also be made from pork, chicken, or turkey.

Get More Info ›

What is carne molida made of? ›

Carne Molida is a delicious blend of peppers, onion, ground meat, and potatoes. This beloved Mexican dish can be served as a side dish or a main entree.

Show Me More ›

What is the difference between Mexican and Filipino picadillo? ›

The main difference between Mexican and Filipino picadillo lies in their ingredients and flavor profiles. Mexican picadillo typically features ground beef cooked with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices like cumin and chili powder, often including ingredients such as potatoes, carrots, raisins, and olives.

Learn More ›

What does picadillo contain? ›

It is made with ground meat (most commonly beef), tomatoes (tomato sauce may be used as a substitute), and also raisins, olives, and other ingredients that vary by region. The name comes from the Spanish word picar, meaning "to mince".

What does picadillo mean in Mexican food? ›

Sp pēkäˈdēyō plural -s. : a spicy Latin-American hash or stew of meat and vegetables often with raisins and olives that is commonly used as a filling (as for tacos) or served with rice and beans.

Discover More ›

How long does picadillo last in the fridge? ›

Picadillo should be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When stored properly, it is good for up to five days.

Learn More ›

Why is picadillo popular? ›

One of the best things about Picadillo is its versatility. It can be served with various side dishes such as rice, beans, or even mashed potatoes. Some people also enjoy topping their picadillo with a fried egg, adding an extra layer of flavor to the dish.

Learn More Now ›

What countries eat picadillo? ›

Picadillo is seasoned minced or ground meat - typically beef, pork or a combination - traditional in Portugal, Spain, Mexico, Cuba, the Caribbean, Brazil, Venezuela, Costa Rica and the Philippines. Each country has its own versions, some spicy, some mild, some with sweet as well as savory ingredients.

Read The Full Story ›

Is carne asada the same as ground beef? ›

In Spanish, Carne literally means “flesh/meat/beef” and Asada means “roast/broiled/grilled,” so “grilled meat.” When it comes to “carne asada” in cooking, the term refers to grilled and sliced beef, usually skirt, flank or flap steak. The steak is associated with a charred flavor from searing the meat on the grill.

See Details ›

What is ground beef called at Mexican restaurant? ›

About Restaurant Style Mexican Ground Beef:

And I think you'll love this easy well-seasoned ground beef. I took a few cues from Mexican recipes and would call this something along the lines of a carne picada or molida, which are prepared sometimes with ground or “minced” beef, and sometimes with other proteins too.

What is ground beef called at Chipotle? ›

Barbacoa is a popular dish found at many Mexican restaurants in the United States and even features in many national chain restaurants, like Chipotle. Many times in the US, barbacoa simply gets labeled as braised beef. However, there is so much more to barbacoa than that.

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What is the best substitute for ground beef? ›

With a similar texture, ground chicken or ground turkey can be superb substitutes for ground beef. The poultry is a bit paler than beef, which can change the appearance of some dishes, but they still taste equally delicious.

Tell Me More ›

Puerto Rican Carne Molida (Picadillo Style Ground Beef) {Recipe} - modernmami™ (2024)