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Turkey Picadillo

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  • Prep time: 15 minutes

  • Cook time: 25 minutes

  • Total time: 40 minutes

  • Course: Main Dish

  • Cuisine: Latin American / Cuban-Inspired

  • Servings: 4 to 6 servings

  • Intensity Level: Easy (Beginner-friendly stovetop recipe)

Ingredients

For the Picadillo Base:

  • Ground Turkey: 1 lb (preferably 93/7 lean ground turkey for optimal flavor and moisture)

  • Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons

  • Aromatics: 1 medium yellow onion (finely diced), 1 green bell pepper (finely diced), and 4 cloves garlic (minced)

  • Tomato Base: 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce or tomato puree

  • Broth: 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock (to build a rich sauce consistency)

For the Seasonings & Mix-Ins:

  • Spices: 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, and a pinch of ground cloves

  • The Sweet & Briny Contrast: 1/4 cup golden or dark raisins and 1/4 cup green Spanish olives (pimento-stuffed and sliced into rounds)

  • Herbs & Seasoning: Salt and freshly cracked black pepper (to taste), plus 2 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro or parsley for garnish

  • Bay Leaf: 1 whole dried bay leaf

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Brown the Turkey

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

  2. Add the ground turkey, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon or spatula.

  3. Season the meat directly with a pinch of salt, black pepper, and half of your cumin.

  4. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until the turkey is fully browned and cooked through. Transfer the turkey to a clean plate and set aside, leaving any rendering juices in the pan.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

  1. In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.

  2. Toss in the diced yellow onions and green bell peppers. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until the vegetables soften and become translucent.

  3. Stir in the minced garlic, remaining cumin, oregano, cinnamon, and cloves. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.

Step 3: Simmer and Combine

  1. Return the cooked ground turkey back into the skillet with the aromatic vegetable mixture.

  2. Pour in the tomato sauce, chicken broth, and drop in the single bay leaf. Stir everything thoroughly to combine.

  3. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it simmer for 15 minutes, allowing the complex flavors to meld together.

Step 4: Add the Finishing Touches

  1. Remove the lid and stir in the sliced green olives and raisins.

  2. Continue to simmer uncovered for another 3 to 5 minutes until the sauce thickens to a rich, glossy consistency.

  3. Discard the bay leaf, taste the picadillo, and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your warm Turkey Picadillo generously over a bed of fluffy jasmine or brown rice, scoop it into warm corn or flour tortillas, or use it as a low-carb topping over crisp shredded lettuce or cauliflower rice.

Nutrition Information

(Values are approximate per serving, based on 4 total servings)

  • Calories: 320 kcal

  • Total Fat: 11.5 g

    • Saturated Fat: 2.5 g

  • Cholesterol: 75 mg

  • Sodium: 580 mg

  • Total Carbohydrates: 18 g

    • Dietary Fiber: 3 g

    • Sugars: 11 g

  • Protein: 34 g

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