Name: Turkey Picadillo (Cuban Picadillo de Pavo)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1/2 cup diced onion; 1/2 cup diced green pepper; 1/4 cup diced jarred red pimientos; 3-4 cloves garlic (minced); 1 lb ground turkey ((make sure it's dark meat)); 1/3 cup vino seco ((dry cooking wine)); 6 ounces tomato sauce; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; Salt and pepper to taste ((start with 1/4 teaspoon then adjust from there)); 1/4 cup Spanish olives (cut in half)

Ground turkey is one of those staples that I always have in my kitchen. Unfortunately, it’s also super bland and boring. Until now!

Turning ground turkey into Cuban picadillo de pavo is the move. The Latin flavors of this traditional dish are out of this world.

Think savory, bold, saucy, comforting, and delicious!

What is Picadillo de Pavo?

In case you’re new here or have never heard of Cuban picadillo [pronounced pee-ca-dee-yo], it’s a classic Cuban dish made with ground beef, tomato sauce, raisins, olives, and lots of spices.

This recipe is an alternative to the traditional Cuban picadillo made with ground turkey instead of ground beef. It’s just as flavorful as the authentic version. Never spicy, always delicious!

You can serve it over white rice just like you do with Cuban picadillo. And it’s an easy-to-make and simple 30-minute weeknight meal!

Ingredients You’ll Need

I know there are several variations of this dish from Latin American countries, the Philippines, and others, however, I’ve never used cabbage, carrots, coriander, cayenne pepper, or bay leaves in my Cuban picadillo de pavo.

This is what I used to make it:

Olive oil. Any neutral oil will work too!
Diced onion, diced green bell pepper, diced jarred red pimientos, garlic. Cuban sofrito! This is the base for this recipe.
Ground turkey. Make sure it’s dark meat!
Vino seco aka dry cooking wine. You can also use chicken broth.
Tomato sauce.
Ground cumin, dried oregano, salt, pepper. Spices!
Spanish olives.

P.S. You can buy ground turkey from Butcher Box!

ButcherBox is a service that curates boxes of grass-fed, no-hormone-added, humanely raised beef, chicken, pork, salmon, and sustainable seafood delivered right to your door. I’ve been receiving my boxes for years now and I have no complaints. They always have specials – like free bacon or free ground beef so you gotta check them out! Click here for more info! [affiliate link]

How To Make Turkey Picadillo

Make the sofrito. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and green peppers and sauté for 2-3 minutes or until softened. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.

Brown the ground meat. Next, add ground turkey and cook, breaking the meat apart, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low.

Simmer + serve. Stir in cooking wine, tomato sauce, cumin, oregano, and, salt + pepper to taste. Simmer for 10-12 minutes. Stir in olives. Serve with white rice.

Serving Tips

Arroz Blanco (Easy White Rice Recipe)
Frijoles Negros (Cuban Black Beans)
Sweet Plantains (Platanos Maduros)
Tostones Recipe + Video (Twice-Fried Plantains!)
Sliced avocados
Cauliflower rice
Turn them into tacos with corn tortillas or empanadas!

Storage Tips

Make sure the turkey picadillo is cooled then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw before reheating and serving.

P.S. You can totally make a double batch of this recipe and place it in the freezer for later!

easy turkey picadillo on a white plate with sliced avocados and white rice

Can’t wait for you guys to make it!