Picadillo Norteño
(Minced Meat, Northern-Style)
By: Dolores Latorre
A Classic Northern Mexican Comfort Dish
This Picadillo Norteño is a savory and satisfying skillet dish made with ground meat, potatoes, and a bold chile-tomato sauce. It’s a staple across Northern Mexico and the borderlands—affordable, hearty, and full of flavor. Whether served in tacos, alongside beans and rice, or eaten on its own, this dish brings warmth to any table.
Serves: 4–6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
1 lb ground bison meat
1 dried ancho chile (or 2–3 jalapeños or serranos, seeded for milder heat)
⅛–¼ teaspoon ground cumin
1 potato, boiled and cubed (see note for shortcut)
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 medium tomatoes, peeled and chopped
½ teaspoon dried oregano
Pinch of sugar
2 tablespoons oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare the sauce
In a blender, puree the chile with its soaking water, tomatoes, cumin, oregano, and sugar until smooth. Set aside.
Brown the meat
In a large, heavy skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the ground meat and cook, stirring frequently, until browned.
Sauté aromatics
Add the chopped onion and stir until it becomes translucent and glazed.
Simmer in sauce
Pour the chile-tomato puree into the skillet. Stir well to combine. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to develop and the sauce to thicken.
Add the potatoes
Stir in the cubed, pre-boiled potatoes and cook until heated through. (Alternatively, you can add raw cubed potatoes right after browning the meat and simmer them in the sauce until tender.)
Season to taste
Add salt and pepper to your liking. Serve warm with tortillas, rice, or beans.
Why Choose Bison?
Bison is naturally leaner than beef and packed with protein, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids. This makes the stew a heart-healthy, nutrient-rich meal perfect for those looking to eat wholesome, sustainable food that honors Indigenous heritage.
Support Indigenous Food Sovereignty
At the Texas Tribal Buffalo Project, we are dedicated to restoring kinship between Indigenous peoples and the Buffalo. Through land reclamation and culturally meaningful food access, we work to strengthen Indigenous food systems across Turtle Island.
