Giniling
Filipino Picadillo

Krizell•
Mar 27, 2025
Filipino Picadillo is a savory dish with Spanish origins that reflects the blend of culinary traditions from the Philippines' colonial past. Typically made with ground beef, vegetables, and a mix of spices, this dish often includes ingredients like potatoes, raisins, and bell peppers, giving it a unique sweet-savory flavor. I prefer to cook Picadillo as a simple one-pot meal, which not only makes preparation and cleanup easier but also keeps it budget-friendly. This method allows for a quick and satisfying dinner using readily available ingredients. And for the record – I am team #noraisins 😀

Hi, I’m Krizell, a third culture kid and second-generation Filipino American. I’m passionate about preserving our Filipino heritage through food and hope you give these recipes a try!
Ingredients (16)
Ingredients (16)
Instructions
- In a pan over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil (1 Tbsp). Add the onions (½) and garlic (4 cloves), and cook until softened. 
- Add the ground meat (1 lb) and cook until browned. 
- Stir in the tomatoes (2), potatoes (2 medium), soy sauce (1 Tbsp), oyster sauce (1 Tbsp), fish sauce ( to taste), chicken bouillon (1 Tbsp), tomato sauce (½ cup), and water (1 cup). Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium, cover, and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the meat is fully cooked and the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. 
- Add the frozen vegetables (1 bag), raisins (¼ cup) and green olives (¼ cup) (if using). Cover and simmer for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the vegetables are cooked through. 
- Continue to simmer until the sauce reaches your desired thickness. Adjust the seasoning to taste with additional fish sauce ( to taste), and salt and pepper ( to taste) if needed. Feel free to adjust the flavors by adding more water if the dish is too salty, more fish/soy/oyster sauce if you prefer a stronger flavor, or extra tomato sauce if desired. That’s the beauty of cooking—customize it to your taste! 😊 
Notes
Notes
In lieu of chicken bouillon powder and water you can substitute for broth.




