Cuban picadillo is a dish of seasoned ground beef commonly cooked with tomatoes, onions, olives, and raisins.
The beef is simmered with a tomato-based sauce and aromatic vegetables. Olives add saltiness, while raisins provide a sweet contrast; potatoes are also common in Cuban versions. Picadillo is frequently served with white rice and plantains.
The dish belongs to a broader Spanish-speaking tradition of minced-meat preparations. Cuban cooks developed a distinctive version in which sweet, salty, and savory ingredients appear together in the same stew-like mixture.
Picadillo should not be confused with ropa vieja, which uses shredded beef, or vaca frita, which uses crisped shredded beef. Its defining ingredient is ground or finely minced meat.