About this recipe
If you’re craving a comforting, hearty Mexican dish but want to keep it plant-based, this Mexican beef picadillo made with a delicious meat alternative is your go-to. I was born in Mexico City, and this is the recipe we grew up eating; it is the authentic Central Mexico recipe. It’s a quick, flavorful, and nutritious recipe that stays true to the traditional essence of picadillo while offering a vegan twist. You will love it because it is:
- Quick and easy: This recipe takes less than 30 minutes to prepare.
- Family-friendly: Even non-vegans will love the rich, savory taste.
- Versatile: Serve it with rice, in tacos, burritos, or over nachos.
What is Picadillo?
Picadillo is a classic Mexican dish with variations across Latin America. For example, Cuaban picadillo has olives and raisins. Even in Mexico, there are many variations depending on the state. In some places, they make a soupy picadillo; some add cumin, and others make it with a clear broth.
However, they are usually made with ground beef, potatoes, carrots, frozen peas, tomatoes, and spices. Traditionally, they are served with Mexican white rice or arroz primavera, corn tortillas, and salsa verde or used as a filling for tacos, empanadas, or stuffed peppers.
This plant-based version uses plant-based meat that absorbs the dish’s bold, earthy flavors while offering a lighter, more sustainable option. But you could definitely use regular ground beef.
Why do I choose to eat Plant-Based Ground Beef?
- Texture: Modern plant-based ground beef mimics the texture of traditional beef, making it an easy substitute in recipes like picadillo, where the crumbly, meaty texture is key.
- Flavor: These products are designed to absorb spices and seasonings, so the flavor is just as bold and satisfying as the original version.
- Sustainability: Using plant-based beef reduces your carbon footprint and is kinder to the environment.
Tips for making the best picadillo
- Brown the plant-based meat. Letting the plant-based ground beef brown in the pan before adding the tomato broth helps develop a richer, more complex flavor.
- Season, season, season. Plant-based meats can sometimes benefit from a little more seasoning than their animal-based counterparts. Don’t be shy with your spices!
Frequently Asked Questions
Easy Plant-Based Mexican Beef Picadillo Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 12- oz plant-based ground beef
- 1- 15 oz can tomato sauce or puree
- 2 carrots peeled and diced
- 1-2 potatoes peeled and cut into 1/2 in diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1 dried bay leave
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Brown the plant-based ground beef.
- If needed, add oil and sauté the garlic and onion for three minutes or until fragrant.
- Then, add the tomato sauce, vegetables, thyme, marjoram, bay leaf, and salt.
- Cover and let it cook for 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fully cooked.
- If it’s too dry, add a tablespoon or so of water.
information
Nutritional information of this recipe is only an estimate, the accuracy for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Tengo una Certificación Profesional en la cocina vegana; en el mundo de la cocina basada en vegetales, frutas, granos, leguminosas… en comida limpia, orgánica y vegana.
My cookbook is called Yo Cocino Latino..
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