Authentic Carne Picada: Easy Beef Recipe for Dinner
Español My boys can’t deny their Mexican heritage—they could eat daily tacos for dinner. For those busy nights when I have no time but want to put something nutritious and delicious on the dinner table, carne picada is a fantastic and easy option to prepare.
This easy recipe is ready in less than 20 minutes; add a salad, some refried beans, and Mexican rice, and let this recipe become one of your favorite weeknight meals.
I was thrilled to find Carne Picada meat at Aldi at a great price; I must tell you, it was of excellent quality.
I’ll guide you through this recipe step by step with photos. You’ll find detailed ingredients and explanations in the recipe card below.
Let’s Make This Carne Picada on the Stove!
- Peel and cut potatoes into small cubes. Please place them in a container, cover them with water, and let them stand for 5 minutes. Drain and rinse to remove excess starch.
2. Chopp onion and tomato, mince garlic and slice jalapeño
3. Cook potatoes in oil and add a pinch of salt
4. Sauté garlic and add beef and seasoning; cook at medium-high heat.
5. When the beef is around 3/4 cooked, add onion and jalapeño.
6. When the beef is fully cooked, add tomatoes, cook for a couple of minutes, and then add the potatoes.
7. Stir and let it cook for a couple of minutes; this is ready to be served!
This carne picada recipe turned out super tender, juicy, and muy deliciosa! Did I mention it’s also great in tacos or burritos? I like to make carne picada con papas (potatoes) because they add flavor and texture, and best of all, they help make the dish more affordable yet nutritious.
What is Carne Picada Made Of?
Carne picada beef is typically made from small pieces of beef steak, often black Angus chuck roast or chuck steak, seasoned and cooked with various ingredients like onions, tomatoes, jalapenos, and spices.
How to Serve Carne Picada
This flavorful meat is perfect for tacos. Serve it on warm corn tortillas or warm flour tortillas, and top with your favorite taco toppings like salsa, cotija cheese, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice. Carne picada is also great in burrito bowls, rice with vegetable bowls, or served alongside Mexican rice and refried beans.
Or Make Carne Picada Tacos!
Tips for the Best Carne Picada
- Slow Cooker Option: For a slow cooker carne picada, sear the meat in a large skillet first, then transfer the beef to a slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours with the rest of the ingredients.
- Instant Pot: You can also make this recipe in an Instant Pot. Use the sauté function to sear the meat, then cook on high pressure for about 30 minutes.
- Freezing: This carne picada recipe freezes well. Store it in airtight containers or freezer bags, and thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating.
Where Can I Find Carne Picada?
Carne picada has become very popular in the USA as an easy, ready-to-cook taco beef. You can always find it at your local Hispanic market, but now it’s also available at Aldi and Walmart. Whether you’re making tacos, burritos, or a hearty carne picada con papas, it’s convenient and delicious!
Authentic Carne Picada: Easy Beef Recipe for Dinner
Equipment
- 2 pans
- 1 container
- 1 spatula
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Knife
- 1 peeler
Ingredients
- 2 pound Carne Picada Beef
- 2 cup chopped tomato
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 piece sliced jalapeno
- 1 clove minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/4 tsp cumin
- 3 pinch pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
- 1 1/2 cup cubed potatoes
Instructions
- Prepare the Potatoes: Peel the potatoes and cut them into small cubes. Place them in a container, cover them with water, and let them stand for 5 minutes. Drain and rinse to remove excess starch. This step helps reduce starch, which is great if you're mindful of your starch, sugar, and intake. I would recommend it if you have a medically restrictive diet, but you can skip it if you prefer.
- Chop the Veggies: Chop the onion and tomatoes, and slice the jalapeño.
- Cook the Potatoes:Heat a nonstick pan over medium-high heat, add 1/2 tablespoon of cooking oil, and let it heat. Add the potatoes with a pinch of salt and cook until golden and tender.
- Cook the Beef:In another pan, heat the remaining cooking oil over medium heat. Add the carne picada beef, sprinkle with cumin, oregano, pepper, and salt. Start cooking, and when the meat about 3/4 done, add the onion and jalapeño.
- Combine and Finish:Once the beef is fully cooked, add the tomatoes and cooked potatoes. I like to add the tomatoes at the end so they don't disappear or overcook. Let everything cook together for a couple of minutes, taste, and adjust the seasoning as needed. Your carne picada recipe is ready to serve!
Video
Notes
- Carne Picada Tacos
- Carne Picada Burrtio
Nutrition
