Tacos Picadillo (or if spelled Pecadillo it means "little sin")

Recipe courtesy Food Network Kitchens

Show: How To Boil WaterEpisode: Tacos and Guacamole

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (27)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(27)

Cook Time:
55 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
4 to 6 servings (12 tacos)

Times:

Prep: 10 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 55 min
Total:: 1 hr 5 min

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Ingredients

2 tablespoons corn oil
1 medium onion, chopped (1 cup)
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, stemmed, seeded (if you like it hot include the seeds) and minced
1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Kosher salt
4 whole peeled canned tomatoes, chopped and about 1/4 cup of their juices
3/4 pound lean ground sirloin beef
1/3 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
Oil, for frying
Dozen 5-inch corn tortillas, preferably white, or prepared taco shells

Toppings:

1/4 head romaine or iceberg, thinly sliced
3 ripe medium tomatoes, cored and diced
1 to 2 Hass avocados, diced
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar or Monterey jack cheese
Sour cream, for garnish

Directions

Put the oil, onions, garlic, and spices in a medium skillet, season with salt and cook over medium to medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until tender, about 10 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high, add the tomatoes, and their juices and boil to thicken, about 2 minutes. Stir in the beef and chicken broth, adjust the heat so the mixture simmers and cook until the beef is cooked through and the mixture thickens, about 15 minutes. Stir in cilantro, taste, and season with salt and pepper as desired. Transfer to a serving bowl and cover.

To make the taco shells: Pour enough frying oil into a small skillet so its about 3/4 of an inch deep; heat over medium to medium-high. Holding 1 edge of a tortilla with tongs, lay the other half in the oil, keeping it flat with a spatula. Cook until crisp, 30 second to 1 minute. Flip the tortilla over and repeat with the other half, holding the first side of the tortilla at an angle to make an open shell, cook for about 1 minute more. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

Put the fixings and meat in individual bowls and the taco shells on a platter. Serve encouraging your diners to build their own tacos, with meat in the shell with fixings on top.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Tacos Picadillo (or if spelled Pecadillo it means "little sin")
poofter toronto, AL 05-24-2009
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Pico De Gallo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I have been making these Tacos for a year now and they are the best!!! Their easy and always turn out fantastic!!! A KEEPER... FO SHO!Read more
recipe Tacos Picadillo (or if spelled Pecadillo it means "little sin")
Karen Steilacoom, WA 08-29-2008
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Best Tacos ever
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I've made this recipe a few times now. I like it more every time. I use canned diced tomatoes. Also, the last time I made... them, I didn't have any broth, so added more of the tomato juices from the can. Perfect! I will make it that way every time now.Read more
recipe Tacos Picadillo (or if spelled Pecadillo it means "little sin")
Anonymous 05-11-2008
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Semi-healthy tacos!
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

This was really good! Next time I will add some tomato paste, and more jalapenos b/c we really like it hot. Especially loved... the homemade taco shells, way better than the prepared ones at the store!Read more
recipe Tacos Picadillo (or if spelled Pecadillo it means "little sin")
A Hockessin, DE 02-24-2008
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Tasty, but it's more like a chile dish
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

This recipe cooks up more like a chile con carne than a taco filling, but it's good and as I ease my East Coast kids into Tex... Mex I'll probably make it again. Beats the dry packages by a mile!Read more
recipe Tacos Picadillo (or if spelled Pecadillo it means "little sin")
Dyanna Framingham, MA 02-18-2008
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Extremely good jumping off point
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

Which is what I did. Flavors were WONDERFUL! I used ancho chili powder instead of regular; and I used roasted chipotles... instead of a single jalapeno. Also, for the finishing touches, I added Mexican creme with some adobe sauce atop the other toppings. My husband has asked for this three times now in one week. Who could ask for anything more?Read more
recipe Tacos Picadillo (or if spelled Pecadillo it means "little sin")
Anonymous 01-19-2008
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Taco packets beware...
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This is absolutely delicious!!! I opted for this recipe instead of the standard taco seasoning packet/store bought taco... shells and will never go back. The meat has fantastic flavor, and the "homemade" taco shells really make the difference. I also made the guacamole recipe from the same episode, and it made an excellent topping for the tacos themselves. This does take a bit more time than the standard taco packet meal, but the payoff in flavor (and my hubby's smile) makes it time well spent. This will be a staple in our house from now on!Read more