Copycat Laredo Taco Company's Picadillo

Name: Copycat Laredo Taco Company's Picadillo
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 8 1 cup servings, 8 serving(s)
Ingredients: 1 lb extra lean ground beef; 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 large onion, minced; 1 green bell pepper, chopped; 1 1/2 cups potatoes, diced into 1/4-inch cubes (about two medium potatoes); 3 garlic cloves; 1 (28 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, drained; 2 cups water; 2 teaspoons dried oregano (Mexican oregano preferred. It is a different herb than Italian oregano, and tastes similar, but has ); 4 fresh epazote leaves, finely chopped or 2 more teaspoons dried oregano; 1 tablespoon sugar; 2 teaspoons cumin; 1 teaspoon cayenne powder; 4 teaspoons dried ancho chile powder or 1 tablespoon mild new mexico chile powder; 1 teaspoon salt (to taste); 1/4 cup wheat bran flakes, optional. Wheat bran adds no flavor, just fiber

Submitted by Starman5

"This is a copycat version of the Stripes convenience store's Laredo Taco Company's picadillo. It can be served as a main dish, or for a filling for soft tacos, enchiladas, chili rellenos and empanadas. Stripes is a convenience store in the southern states, similar to 7-11 stores. Laredo Taco Company is the name of the in-store Mexican cafe located in a majority of the Stripes stores."

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photo by Linky

Ready In:: 1hr 5mins
Ingredients:: 16
Yields:: 8 1 cup servings
Serves:: 8

ingredients

1 lb extra lean ground beef
1 ¹⁄₂ tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, minced
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 ¹⁄₂ cups potatoes, diced into 1/4-inch cubes (about two medium potatoes)
3 garlic cloves
1 (28 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, drained
2 cups water
2 teaspoons dried oregano (Mexican oregano preferred. It is a different herb than Italian oregano, and tastes similar, but has )
2 4 fresh epazote leaves, finely chopped or 2 more teaspoons dried oregano
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon cayenne powder
4 teaspoons dried ancho chile powder or 1 tablespoon mild new mexico chile powder
1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
¹⁄₄ cup wheat bran flakes, optional. Wheat bran adds no flavor, just fiber

directions

Put the water, onions, garlic, bell peppers and potatoes in a stew pot and bring to a boil. Turn the temperature to low, cover the pot, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes.
Add the tomatoes, bran, and spices to the pot and simmer for 10 minutes.
While the potatoes are cooking, heat a skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil and brown the meat, crumbling it up as it cooks.
Add the meat to the stew pot, cover, and simmer 10 to 20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender (it is better to overcook the potatoes than to under cook them).

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Reviews

Very good, I tweaked the recipe by using jalapeños instead of the bell peppers and added some powdered Chile árbol, I also used powdered oregano.

moranstan
So good! Very similar to Laredo Taco Company's picadillo, in fact I would argue that it's better. I will definitely be making this again.

Brittnye R.
This was terrible, I threw it away right off the stove.

TWYLA H.
Didn't taste anywhere near Laredo taco companys picadillo in my opinion

Shane H.
i went crazy with the hot pepper sauce - which I had to substitute for the hot pepper stuff listed. So, it was way too hot for me, but my DH loved it and gave it 5 stars. I like the combination of ingredients and will make it again and adjust the heat. Oh, I have no idea what Laredo Taco Company is, so that wasn't my motivation for trying, nor can I make any comparison to the original! made for PAC Spring 2012

Linky