10+ Carne Picada Recipes for Delicious Meals

Carne picada is a delicious and versatile dish that brings a taste of Mexico right to your kitchen. This chopped beef is perfect for tacos, burritos, or even served on its own with rice.

You can easily adapt carne picada recipes to suit your tastes and create a satisfying meal for you and your family.

Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, carne picada offers a simple way to enjoy flavorful beef. With just a few key ingredients and some basic cooking techniques, you can whip up this dish in no time.

Get ready to explore different carne picada recipes that will leave your taste buds craving more!

1) Chop beef into small cubes

To start, choose the right cut of beef. Chuck roast or sirloin steak works well for carne picada.

Next, place the beef on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut it into small cubes, about 1/4-inch in size. This size helps the meat cook evenly and become tender.

Take your time while cutting. Making the pieces uniform ensures better texture when cooked.

Once chopped, you can move on to the next steps of your recipe.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds chuck roast or sirloin steak
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Place the beef on a cutting board.
2. Use a sharp knife to chop it into 1/4-inch cubes.
3. Season the beef with salt and pepper.

2) Sauté onions, garlic, and bell peppers

Start by heating some oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add diced onions and sauté them until they become soft and translucent.

Next, toss in minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds. Garlic cooks quickly, so be careful not to let it burn.

After that, add chopped bell peppers—red, yellow, or green. Cook until they soften up, which should take about 3-4 minutes. This mix will add great flavor to your carne picada.

Ingredients

• Olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1-2 bell peppers, chopped

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add diced onions and sauté until soft.
3. Stir in minced garlic for 30 seconds.
4. Add chopped bell peppers and cook for 3-4 minutes.

3) Add canned tomatoes for richness

Adding canned tomatoes makes your carne picada richer and fuller in flavor. They bring a nice balance to the dish. You can choose diced or whole tomatoes, depending on your preference.

When using canned tomatoes, drain them well before adding to your pot. This helps control the moisture in your dish.

Stir them into the mixture after sautéing your meat and vegetables, allowing them to heat through together.

For a little kick, you might consider using canned tomatoes with green chilies. This provides extra flavor without much effort. The tomatoes will simmer with the spices, creating a delicious sauce.

Ingredients

• Canned tomatoes (1 can)
• Diced onion
• Green bell pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Sauté onions and peppers in a pot.
2. Add cooked meat back to the pot.
3. Drain the canned tomatoes and stir them in.
4. Cook for about 7 minutes on low heat.

4) Season with cumin and chili powder

To give your carne picada a rich flavor, season generously with cumin and chili powder. These spices add warmth and depth to the dish.

Cumin has a unique, earthy taste that pairs well with beef. A teaspoon or two should be plenty, depending on your taste preferences.

Chili powder brings a touch of heat. Start with a small amount and adjust according to how spicy you want your carne picada to be.

Mix these spices into the meat, ensuring even coverage. This will help every bite be packed with flavor.

Ingredients

• Cumin (1-2 teaspoons)
• Chili powder (start with 1 teaspoon, adjust to taste)

Cooking Instructions

1. Gather your spices and meat.
2. Sprinkle cumin and chili powder over the beef.
3. Mix well to coat evenly.
4. Cook as per your favorite carne picada recipe.

5) Simmer until beef is tender

To make carne picada truly delicious, it’s important to simmer the beef until it’s tender.

Start by adding the beef to a pot with your chosen liquids, such as broth or tomatoes.

Bring the mixture to a boil on medium-high heat. After it reaches a boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer.

This should take about 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on your heat level.

For best results, cover the pot while it simmers. Keep an eye on it, stirring occasionally, to make sure nothing sticks. You’ll know it’s ready when the beef is fork-tender.

Ingredients

• Cubed chuck steak or roast
• Tomatoes
• Beef broth
• Green bell peppers
• Jalapeños
• Spices (like cumin and pepper)

Cooking Instructions

1. Add the beef and liquids to a pot.
2. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
3. Reduce heat and cover.
4. Simmer until beef is tender, checking occasionally.

6) Incorporate jalapeños for freshness

Adding jalapeños to your carne picada brings a bright, fresh flavor. They can add just the right amount of heat, making your dish more exciting.

You can choose to slice them or dice them, depending on how spicy you want the dish.

Sauté them with other vegetables for a few minutes to soften their flavor before adding meat.

If you prefer a milder taste, consider removing the seeds. This way, you can enjoy the flavor without overwhelming heat.

Fresh jalapeños can enhance your carne picada, making it a delicious meal for everyone.

Ingredients

• 1-2 jalapeños (sliced or diced)

Cooking Instructions

1. Prep jalapeños by washing and slicing or dicing them.
2. Sauté the jalapeños in a bit of oil for 2-3 minutes.
3. Add them to your carne picada recipe along with other vegetables.

7) Serve with warm tortillas

Serving carne picada with warm tortillas is a delicious way to enjoy this savory dish. The tortillas help hold all the flavors in and add a satisfying texture.

You can use corn or flour tortillas based on your preference. Warm them up on a skillet or directly over a flame for a few seconds.

Once heated, fill the tortillas with carne picada and your favorite toppings.

Some tasty options include shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and cheese. A squeeze of lime adds a refreshing touch.

Ingredients

• Carne picada
• Warm tortillas (corn or flour)
• Shredded lettuce
• Diced tomatoes
• Cheese (like cotija or pepper jack)
• Lime

Cooking Instructions

1. Warm the tortillas on a skillet or open flame.
2. Place carne picada in each tortilla.
3. Add toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese.
4. Squeeze lime over the top before serving.

8) Perfect for Taco Filling

Carne picada is a fantastic choice for taco filling. Its tender, flavorful meat adds a delicious twist to your tacos.

You can customize it with your favorite toppings for a personal touch.

You might enjoy adding fresh salsa, cilantro, diced onions, or a squeeze of lime. Each bite can be a burst of flavor, perfect for any taco night.

You can also serve carne picada in soft or crunchy taco shells. Whether you prefer traditional or creative fillings, carne picada makes your tacos shine.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds carne picada
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Taco shells
• Fresh cilantro, diced onions, and lime for toppings

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F or 175°C).
2. Add carne picada and season with cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Cook until the meat is browned and cooked through, about 10-15 minutes.
4. Serve in taco shells with your favorite toppings.

9) Ideal for Burrito Bowls

Carne picada is a fantastic choice for burrito bowls. It adds a hearty texture and rich flavor that elevates your dish.

You can layer it with rice, beans, and fresh toppings. Its juicy and savory nature pairs well with ingredients like guacamole and salsa.

You’ll love how easy it is to customize your bowl. Mix in your favorite vegetables for added crunch and nutrition.

This dish is not just delicious; it can also satisfy all your cravings in one meal!

Ingredients

• 1 pound carne picada beef
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup fire-roasted tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat (350°F/175°C).
2. Add diced onions and bell peppers; sauté until soft.
3. Stir in carne picada and cook until browned.
4. Add fire-roasted tomatoes and taco seasoning; simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Serve in bowls with rice and toppings of choice.

10) Great with Mexican rice

Carne picada is a delicious dish that pairs perfectly with Mexican rice. The flavors blend well, making each bite satisfying.

You can enjoy the tender meat and seasoned rice together. This combination makes for a hearty meal, great for family dinners or gatherings.

Add some beans or a side of salsa for extra flavor. Topping your plate with fresh cilantro can also bring a nice touch.

Mexican rice can soak up the savory juices from the carne picada. This makes every component of your meal stand out even more.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound carne picada
• 2 cups Mexican rice
• 1 can black beans (optional)
• Fresh cilantro for garnish
• Lime wedges for serving

Cooking Instructions:

1. Cook the Mexican rice according to package instructions.
2. In a skillet, cook the carne picada until browned and tender.
3. Serve the carne picada over a bed of Mexican rice.
4. Add beans if desired and garnish with cilantro and lime wedges.