Carne picada literally means “minced meat” in Spanish. It is essentially meat that has been shredded or thinly sliced. You may find it in stores packaged in cubes or shreds or it could be slow-cooked in a spicy sauce or gravy.
Carne picada is a versatile ingredient that you can use in a variety of Mexican dishes, from tacos and quesadillas to meatballs and burrito bowls. But you can also use it in other cuisines since carne picada is basically just minced beef. So, if you have some minced meat chilling in your refrigerator, consider trying these divine carne picada recipes.
#1. Baked Beef Meatballs
This delectable dish is made by seasoning lean ground beef mince with garlic, parsley, and oregano, and combining it with cheese and crispy breadcrumbs. Form small balls and bake them until golden. Juicy, tender, and packed with flavor, you can serve the meatballs on their own or with salads, pasta, or some crusty bread.
#2. Beef Mince Lasagna
Lasagna is the ultimate comfort food, so you can rest easy knowing even the pickiest eaters will enjoy this meal. You’ll be layering pasta sheets with slow-cooked beef ragu, and bechamel sauce, and then topping it with shredded mozzarella and baking it until golden brown. Prepare a large batch and you’ll have a hearty, satisfying meal ready for busy weeknights.
#3. Carne Picada
Flavorful and melt-in-your-mouth tender, this simple and easy slow-cooked carne picada recipe will quickly become your household favorite. Add it to tacos, fajitas, rice bowls, and even pizza! It’s so good that it can elevate the flavors of any dish it is added to!
#4. Carne Picada Quesadillas
This recipe uses the author’s two-sided Blackstone method to speed things up a bit in the preparation department, making it quite simple to prepare. Simply marinate carne picada beef with orange juice, lemon juice, garlic, and pickled jalapenos for about an hour. Then, cook until it is medium-brown and put it in toasted tortillas with cheese to serve.
#5. Slow-Cooker Carne Picada Tacos with Avocado Salsa
This wonderful slow-cooker recipe will fill your home with wonderful aromas as it cooks. It calls for cooking well-seasoned brisket until it’s wonderfully tender and then shredding and chopping it. Serve the brisket in warm corn tortillas with lettuce, jalapenos, cheese, and avocado salsa.
#6. 9 Ingredient Spanish Carne Picada
This is one of those recipes you absolutely need to have in your cooking arsenal! Cubes of round roast are seasoned with aromatic spices like paprika, ground cumin, and garlic powder and cooked with fire-roasted tomatoes. Let it all cook together for about three hours and enjoy a mesmerizing meal. Pro tip: Pair it with tacos, fajitas, rice bowls, quesadillas, and Mexican pizzas.
#7. Instant Pot Carne Picada Chili
This instant pot carne picada recipe is a true feast for the senses. It comes together in just 30 minutes but tastes like a slow-cooked delight. To make this incredible meal, all you have to do is simmer carne picada, beans, and veggies with a homemade seasoning mix. Serve garnished with green onions, cheese, and sour cream for a boost of flavor and texture in every bite.
#8. Carne Picada
Slow-cooking carne picada might just be the best way to cook this type of meat. In this recipe, the meat is paired with veggies and spices to make a hearty meal that retains all the wonderful flavors and textures. Serve this flavor-packed dish over a bed of cauliflower rice garnished with scallions, cilantro, and sour cream with a spritz of lime.
#9. Minced Beef and Onion Pies
This classic recipe is prepared by wrapping a mixture of beef, onions, and carrots cooked with flour, Worcestershire sauce, beef stock, tomato paste, and seasonings in a flaky, homemade pastry. It produces an ultra-satisfying comfort dish that’s best served with mushy peas and some mashed potato. Pro tip: Make smaller, cupcake-sized pies and enjoy them for lunch on the go.
#10. No Nightshade Carne Picada
Trying to avoid nightshade in your meals? That’s okay! You can still enjoy the wonderful flavor this recipe promises by making the marinade for your carne picada with lime juice, coconut aminos, and a few magical spices. Serve it with your favorite toppings and a side of cauliflower to create a healthy, delicious meal without risking inflammation.
#11. Quick Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry
This beef stir-fry recipe is so good that you’ll find yourself making it every chance you get! In it, the beef is tenderized with a teriyaki marinade and cooked until well-done, then added to stir-fried broccoli and red peppers. Next, the beef and veggies are tossed in a marinade and served over rice, but you can also pair it with noodles or roasted veggies.
#12. Spanish Rice with Ground Beef
This Spanish recipe is made in one pot, which allows all the ingredients to develop layers of flavors. Make this hearty, satisfying dish with beef and veggies sauteed with onions and garlic, then add everything to rice cooked in chicken broth with diced tomatoes and flavorings. Serve topped with cheese for added flavor.
#13. Vegetable Beef Soup With Rice (Carne Picada Con Arroz)
This recipe delivers a comforting bowl of goodness to keep you warm and cozy on winter days. This hearty soup recipe includes rice, meat, and vegetables all cooked in a delicious broth. And while this dish is substantial enough to be savored on its own, the mouthwatering flavors of this soup really shine when served with a summer corn salad.
#14. Ultimate Carne Picada Flatbed Street Tacos
This street-style tacos recipe is a masterpiece — make sure you prepare a larger batch because your guests are sure to ask for seconds. It may appear complicated because it uses 25 ingredients, but don’t worry! It’s simple enough that even beginners can master it on their very first attempt and serve up a stunning meal.
