Picadillo con Chile Serrano is a vibrant and comforting Mexican dish that beautifully combines the hearty flavors of ground beef with the fresh, spicy kick of Serrano chili.
This dish is a delightful blend of textures and tastes, featuring tender potatoes, juicy tomatoes, and aromatic spices that come together to create a rich, savory stew. Perfectly seasoned with a hint of cilantro, this picadillo is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed with rice and warm corn tortillas.
Whether you’re looking for a satisfying family meal or a tasty dish to impress guests, Picadillo con Chile Serrano offers a delicious taste of traditional Mexican cuisine.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
Comforting and Hearty: Picadillo con Chile Serrano is the quintessential comfort food, offering a rich and satisfying blend of flavors and textures. The savory ground beef, tender potatoes, and spicy kick from the Serrano chili create a dish that warms and nourishes, making it perfect for any meal.
Quick and Easy Preparation: This recipe is straightforward and requires minimal effort, with most of the work done in a single skillet. With simple ingredients and accessible cooking methods, you can have a delicious, home-cooked Mexican meal ready in no time.
Versatile and Adaptable: Whether you prefer it mild or spicy, this recipe is easily customizable. Adjust the heat by varying the amount of Serrano chili or substitute different vegetables to suit your taste. You can even swap the ground beef for turkey or plant-based alternatives to accommodate dietary preferences.
Bursting with Flavor: The combination of aromatic garlic, onion, and cilantro, along with the savory depth from the beef bouillon, infuses the dish with vibrant flavors. The tomatoes add a natural sweetness and acidity that perfectly balance the savory and spicy elements.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether served as a cozy family dinner, a dish to impress guests, or a flavorful meal to warm up a cold day, Picadillo con Chile Serrano is sure to delight. It’s a versatile recipe that brings people together, making it a beloved choice for many households.
Ground Beef: The foundation of this dish, ground beef provides a rich, hearty flavor and a satisfying texture. The 85/15% lean-to-fat ratio ensures that the beef remains juicy and flavorful, complementing the other ingredients beautifully.
Serrano Chili: Known for its vibrant heat, the Serrano chili adds a spicy kick to the picadillo. It infuses the dish with a lively warmth, enhancing the overall flavor profile and adding a touch of excitement to each bite.
Diced Potatoes: These provide a starchy, comforting element, absorbing the flavors of the stew as they cook. Their tender yet firm texture adds depth to the dish, making it hearty and filling.
Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes bring a fresh, juicy sweetness and a subtle acidity that balances the richness of the beef. They help create a thick, flavorful sauce as they break down during cooking.
Garlic and Onion: These aromatic vegetables form the backbone of the dish’s flavor, offering a savory base that enhances the taste of the beef and other ingredients.
Cilantro: Added just before serving, cilantro brings a fresh, herbaceous note that brightens the dish and adds an authentic Mexican touch.
Knorr® Beef Bouillon Cube: This ingredient intensifies the savory depth of the picadillo, infusing it with a rich, beefy flavor that ties all the components together harmoniously.

Picadillo con Chile Serrano
Ingredients:
1 ½ tablespoons of vegetable oil
½ kilogram of ground beef (85/15% lean-to-fat ratio)
⅓ cup of finely chopped white onion
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 Serrano chili, finely chopped
1 ½ cups of diced potatoes (approximately 8 ounces)
½ kilogram of diced tomatoes (roughly 2 large tomatoes)
1 Knorr® beef bouillon cube
⅓ cup of chopped cilantro
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Step 1:
Begin by heating the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Once the oil is hot, add the ground beef.
Break up any large clumps of meat with a wooden spoon to ensure even cooking.
Cook the beef until it is browned, which should take about 8 minutes.
Step 2:
Add the chopped onion and garlic to the skillet.
Stir and cook for about 1 minute, or until the onion becomes translucent.
Following this, incorporate the Serrano chili and diced potatoes into the mixture.
Stir well and continue cooking for about 5 minutes, ensuring the potatoes become slightly tender yet firm, as they will continue cooking later.
Step 3:
Next, add the diced tomatoes and the beef bouillon cube to the skillet.
Stir thoroughly.
The tomatoes will release their juices, and the bouillon cube will dissolve, enriching the flavor of the dish.
Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to a simmer.
Cook until the potatoes are fully tender and the tomatoes have thickened into a rich sauce.
Step 4:
Season the dish with salt and pepper to your liking.
Just before serving, stir in the chopped cilantro.