• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • ABOUT
  • Recipes
    • LOW CARB
    • Paleo
    • WHOLE 30 Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
      • Salad
      • Sandwiches & Pizza
      • Quiches & Pies
    • Soups & Chili
    • Dinner
      • Poultry
      • Beef
      • Pork
      • Lamb
      • Fish And Seafood
    • Gluten Free Pasta
    • Nutritious Spiralized Recipes
    • Vegetables & Salads
    • Appetizers & Side Dishes
    • Gluten Free Dessert Recipes
    • Smoothies & Drinks
  • LOW CARB
  • Chronic Fatigue
  • Resources
    • Ultimate Gift Guide for Culinary, Fitness, and Wellness Enthusiasts
    • Favorite Products
    • Reviews
    • Resources for Kids
    • Meal Plans
    • Gardening
    • GF Living
    • Celiac Disease
  • Wellness & Strength Training
    • Wellness
    • Strength Training
    • Wellness And Fitness Products We Use
  • Contact Us

Gluten Free Homestead

creating a healthier lifestyle

Signup for email updates here

Published July 16, 2013 | Last Updated June 14, 2025 By Barbara Bianchi 7 Comments

Gluten Free Turkey Picadillo Recipe

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

Savor the simplicity of this naturally gluten-free turkey picadillo, a sweet and savory dish that’s ready in just 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s a meal everyone will enjoy!

Gluten Free Turkey Picadillo

Years ago when my children were small, we were at the park with some friends. The conversation turned to what we would make for dinner that night. One friend said, “I know what you can make: Picadillo.”

Ingredients

Links are affiliate links which means I will earn a small commission if you buy the item at no extra cost to you.

I quickly jotted down the ingredients: marinara sauce, ground turkey, an onion, a green bell pepper, green Spanish salad olives, raisins, and salt.

It’s always fun to try something new especially when it’s quick and easy.

This naturally gluten free turkey picadillo is lighter than the traditional beef or pork style because it’s made with lean ground turkey. The name comes from the Spanish word picar, which means to mince or to chop.

There are many versions of picadillo. This recipe is a fragrant stew of ground turkey simmered in tomato sauce with raisins added for sweetness and olives for saltiness. It’s an easy comfort dish, in Cuban style. 

Another thing you’ll love about it: since you make everything in one skillet, clean up is super easy.

Serving suggestions

You can serve your picadillo with traditional beans and rice or tucked into a warm gluten free corn taco. For an extra touch of comfort, pair it with grilled homemade gluten free corn muffins. They perfectly complement the vibrant flavors of your dish.

It’s so saucy, you can even serve it over pasta. The picture below is with Schar Gluten Free Multigrain Penne Rigate, but I  prefer Schar Naturally Gluten Free Penne Rigate (Spanish macaroni). It’s less grainy. 

Gluten Free Turkey Picadillo - The Gluten Free Homestead

If you’re low carb like I am, just leave out the raisins and you’re good to go. Then you can even swap out your picadillo for the taco meat in this Skinny Low Carb Taco Bowl recipe.

Now you can make a homemade Italian Red Sauce or you can use your favorite gluten free sauce from a jar. Prego says it’s gluten free right on the label.

Ready to make turkey picadillo? Let’s go.

Instructions

*Free printable recipe card is available at the end of the post.

Cook your ground turkey in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it up with a spatula for 3 minutes. Add onion, salt, and green pepper and cook for 8 minutes.
 
Now add sauce, olives, and raisins. These add brightness to the dish.
 
Then for a slow simmer, partially cover your skillet for 15 minutes while all the wonderful flavors meld together. 
 
And that’s it. Easy peasy.

Pro tips and recipe notes

  • I use ground turkey in this recipe. Ground beef or ground pork also work well in this recipe.
  • I love this sweet and savory recipe. Feel free to change it up according to your taste. What would you include in your picadillo? Diced potatoes? Garlic? Cumin? It’s up to you.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. It also freezes well.
Turkey picadillo is a sweet and savory meal your whole family will love.
 

What do you think of my friend’s recipe? What do you include in your picadillo? Diced potatoes? Garlic? Cumin? Leave me a comment. I’d love to know.

Happy cooking! 

And if you have any questions, please reach out to me in the comments or shoot me an email, and I’ll respond ASAP!

More recipes with ground meat

Ground Chicken, Spinach Sauté And Tomatoes (30 Minute Meal) – This is a quick, easy, and delicious meal made with ground chicken, fresh spinach and crushed tomatoes. Yum.

Skillet Beef And Gluten Free Noodles – This is an instant favorite with kids (and grownups will love it too). And best of all, it only takes twenty minutes to make. 

Gluten-Free Classic Italian Lasagna – Here’s your step by step guide with photos and tips to make amazing classic three-cheese Italian lasagna casserole with intensely flavored, just the right balance of cheeses, chunky beef, sweet Italian sausage, and gluten free pasta.

Tastiest Low-Carb Keto Stuffed Cabbage – Whether you’re cutting out grains because of allergies, reducing carbs because you want to lower your insulin response, trying to lose those extra pounds still left over from the holidays, or you’re just looking for a super delicious comfort food, this low-carb keto stuffed cabbage is just what you need!

Print Pin Save Saved Recipe!
5 from 1 vote

Gluten Free Turkey Picadillo

Prevent your screen from going dark
Gluten free turkey picadillo is a sweet and savory meal your whole family will love. It's ready in 30 minutes.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes minutes
Total Time 30 minutes minutes
Servings 6
Calories 316kcal
Author Barbara Bianchi

Equipment

Cast Iron Skillet
Stainless steel spatula

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 pounds of ground turkey
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 24 ounce jar of gluten free marinara sauce or homemade sauce
  • 20 green Spanish salad olives
  • 1/2 cup raisins

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a large skillet and cook your ground turkey over a medium heat, breaking up with a spatula for 3 minutes.
    Add onion, salt, and green pepper. Stir and cook for 8 minutes.
    1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 2 pounds of ground turkey, 1 onion, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1 green bell pepper
  • Drain the fat.
    Add sauce, olives, and raisins. Stir again.
    24 ounce jar of gluten free marinara sauce, 20 green Spanish salad olives, 1/2 cup raisins
  • Simmer, partially covered for 15 minutes until heated through. Serve and enjoy.

Notes

  • I use ground turkey in this recipe. Ground beef or ground pork also work well in this recipe.
  • I love this sweet and savory recipe. Feel free to change it up according to your taste. What would you include in your picadillo? Diced potatoes? Garlic? Cumin? It's up to you.
  • You may choose to serve your picadillo with traditional beans and rice or tucked into a gluten free corn taco or you may prefer a side salad or green vegetable. And it's so saucy, you can even toss it with your favorite pasta.
  • If you're low carb, just leave out the raisins and you're good to go.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It also freezes well.
GET THE FULL VIDEO TO SEE HOW TO MAKE PICADILLO HERE
 

Nutrition

Calories: 316kcal | Carbohydrates: 5.1g
did you make this recipe? We want to see! Take a pic, and tag @glutenfreehomestead on Instagram.
  • About the Author
  • Latest Posts

About Barbara Bianchi

Barbara loves to bring fun into the kitchen and wholesome food to the table. She also enjoys drinking robust coffee, eating a little chocolate, reading a good novel, going for walks and spending time with her family and friends.
  • Gluten Free Matzo Brei Recipe - April 1, 2025
  • Ham Bone Soup Recipe - December 29, 2024
  • How To Bake A Bone-In Ham Recipe - December 27, 2024
  • Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Donut Recipe - December 23, 2024
  • Caramelized Onion Dip Recipe - November 6, 2024
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Gmail

Filed Under: Chicken And Turkey Recipes, Dairy free, Dinner, Latin American, Nut free, Recipe, Turkey

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Wendy Baudín, Self-Love Sherpa and Wisdom Guide says

    July 16, 2013 at 11:01 pm

    I love gluten free recipes. I was diagnosed with gluten intolerance about 5 years ago and changing the diet does really work. Thank you for posting a delish sounding recipe while promoting a much healthier life for people.

    Hi. a fellow Ultimate blogger. So nice to meet you.

    Reply
    • Barbara says

      July 25, 2013 at 11:28 pm

      Nice to meet you, too, Wendy. Thanks for the encouragement in your comment.

      Reply
  2. Roxanne Mapp says

    July 16, 2013 at 11:02 pm

    Looks delicious! I’ll try making it one day in the near future. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Barbara says

      July 25, 2013 at 11:30 pm

      Thanks for stopping by, Roxanne.
      Hope you enjoy it.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 25 Tasty Ground Beef Recipes - Gluten Free Homestead says:
    March 24, 2020 at 7:53 pm

    […] Turkey picadillo: a super easy, sweet and savory meal made with ground turkey. […]

    Reply
  2. Skillet Beef And Gluten Free Noodles (Fast And Easy Meal) says:
    May 5, 2020 at 10:34 pm

    […] Gluten Free Turkey Picadillo […]

    Reply
  3. Gluten Free Rigatoni Collage - Gluten Free Homestead says:
    May 28, 2021 at 6:50 pm

    […] Turkey Picadillo: a super easy, sweet and savory meal […]

    Reply
5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Hi! We’re Barbara & John. Whether you’re looking for delicious easy to follow gluten-free and low-carb recipes, strength training tips, strategies to beat chronic fatigue, or just because you want to feel good, you're in the right place. Read more here. 

...

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

-1 Corinthians 10:31

Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

Let’s be friends!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Bursting With Flavor

Get the Cookbook!

“I’ve enjoyed making a number of these recipes and love the beautiful, appetizing-looking pictures. And the fact that they’re low-carb is all the better! When I discover people who are looking for gluten-free or low-carb recipes—or who are just wanting to try something new—I love recommending Barbara’s recipes.”

—Barbara C.

Trending

Savory Steak Roll-Ups: A Culinary Adventure With Xtrema Ceramic Cookware

The 10 Most Important Strategies I Used To Beat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Part 1

Why We Bought a Sleep EZ 100% Natural Latex Mattress [Review]

Free eBook!

Get this information-packed eBook as a subscriber freebie!

Footer

Affiliates Disclaimer

The Gluten Free Homestead receives a small commission from the sales made through our affiliate links. However, we only promote affiliate products we use or support wholeheartedly. The commissions received through your purchases help maintain this site. Thank you for your support!

Medical Disclaimer

Nothing you read on this site should be construed as medical advice. All blog posts are solely our personal experiences and opinions, and should not be interpreted as an attempt to offer a medical opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of medicine. See more here.

Privacy Policy

This privacy policy sets out how Gluten Free Homestead uses and protects any information that you give while using www.glutenfreehomestead.com See more here.

Copyright © 2025 · Brunch Pro Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.