
Tita Becky •
October 14, 2025
Filipino Picadillo or “Giniling” and “Menudillo” is a staple dish in many Filipino households. Made with ground meat like beef or pork, cooked in onions, garlic and seasoned with salt, black pepper and fish sauce or patis to give it a distinct flavor. Tomato sauce, tomato paste, a little water and fish sauce is then added to creative a rich and thick luscious sauce. It also includes diced potatoes, diced carrots, peas and raisins. Best enjoyed with steamed white rice.
This dish holds a special place in my heart as it was one of my favorite childhood dishes that my mom prepared when she had extra money. Beef or pork was expensive and it was quite a treat when she cooked it. It was the perfect comfort food -flavorful, hearty, meaty, and delicious. It’s a type of dish that made me eat more steamed white rice than usual haha.
Preheat you pan or wok to medium-high heat.
Add cooking oil (1 Tbsp)
Add garlic (3 cloves) and onions (½ small). Saute for a couple of minutes or until fragrant.
Add ground beef (1 lb). Break it up using a wooden spatula. Cook until it's no longer pink.
Season with salt (to taste), black pepper (to taste) and fish sauce (1 Tbsp) and saute.
Add tomato sauce (8 oz), tomato paste (1 tsp) and water (½ cup). Stir. Season with fish sauce (1 Tbsp).
Add potatoes (1 medium) and carrots (1 medium). Stir. Cover and reduce heat to medium and let the vegetables cook until tender.
Add frozen peas (½ cup) and stir. Continue to cook for 2 more minutes.
Taste if it needs more fish sauce or salt (to taste) and if the taste is to your liking then it's ready to serve.
INGREDIENTS and SUBSTITUTIONS
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