Carne picada is a versatile Mexican dish that features finely chopped or ground beef cooked with bold seasonings and spices. It’s perfect for tacos, burritos, or rice bowls. This recipe brings out the richness of the beef with a simple cooking method that allows you to enjoy the flavors of Mexico in the comfort of your home.
Authentic Carne Picada Recipe: Flavor-Packed Mexican Beef
4
servings10
minutes20
minutes313
kcal35
minutesKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
500 g 1 lb beef chuck or skirt steak
2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1 onion
3 3 garlic cloves
1 1 jalapeño
1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon salt
120 ml 1/2 cup beef broth or water
1 1 tomato
1 1 lime
1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon Fresh cilantro
Equipment
Large skillet- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Wooden spoon
Directions
- Chop the beef into small pieces if you’re using steak, or use pre-ground beef. Dice the onion, garlic, jalapeño, and tomato.
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp of olive oil over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking.
- Add the onion and jalapeño to the skillet. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until they soften.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the chopped beef to the skillet and cook for 7-10 minutes until browned, stirring frequently to ensure even cooking.
- Sprinkle in the cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat the beef in the spices.
- Pour in the beef broth or water and add the diced tomato. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a simmer. Lower the heat to medium and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Once cooked, squeeze the lime juice over the beef mixture and stir to combine.
- Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and serve hot.
Notes
- Adjust the heat by adding more jalapeños or chili powder if you like it spicier, or omit the jalapeño for a milder dish.
What is carne picada?
Carne picada is a Mexican dish featuring finely chopped or ground beef cooked with spices and seasonings. It’s commonly used in tacos, burritos, or served over rice for a flavorful, hearty meal.
