Beef Burrito Bowl with Rice (Printable Version)
Seasoned beef, rice, and beans topped with fresh ingredients in a hearty Tex-Mex bowl.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef
01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 ½ tsp chili powder
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
08 - ½ tsp dried oregano
09 - ½ tsp salt
10 - ¼ tsp black pepper
11 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
12 - ¼ cup beef broth or water
→ Rice
13 - 1 cup long-grain white rice
14 - 2 cups water
15 - ½ tsp salt
16 - 1 tbsp lime juice
17 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
→ Beans
18 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
19 - ½ tsp ground cumin
20 - ¼ tsp chili powder
21 - 2 tbsp water
→ Toppings
22 - 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
23 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
24 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
25 - 1 avocado, sliced
26 - ¼ cup sour cream
27 - ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
28 - Lime wedges, for serving
# Step-by-Step:
01 - In a saucepan, combine rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, then stir in lime juice and chopped cilantro.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Add tomato paste and beef broth or water. Simmer for 5 minutes until mixture thickens. Remove from heat.
04 - In a small saucepan over low heat, combine black beans, cumin, chili powder, and water. Stir and heat until warmed through, 3 to 4 minutes.
05 - Divide rice evenly among four bowls. Top each with seasoned beef, black beans, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, avocado slices, and a dollop of sour cream. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It comes together in under an hour, which means weeknight dinners stop feeling like a chore.
- Everyone at your table gets to customize their bowl, so there's never an argument about what goes in.
- The lime-cilantro rice and seasoned beef are so good, you'll find yourself making extra just to have leftovers.
02 -
- Don't drain the beef aggressively; a little of that fat carries flavor, and what seems like excess will redistribute as everything sits.
- The rice needs that 5-minute rest after cooking—it finishes cooking in its own steam, and skipping this step leaves you with watery rice.
- Assemble right before eating so the cheese can soften from the warm components but the toppings stay fresh and crisp.
03 -
- Toast your dried spices in the hot oil for 30 seconds before adding the beef—it deepens their flavor and makes them release their essential oils more fully.
- Keep lime wedges at the table; letting people add their own means everyone gets exactly as much brightness as they want in their bowl.