Beef Burrito Bowls with Rice (Print Version)

A vibrant Tex-Mex bowl layering seasoned beef, rice, beans, and fresh toppings for a satisfying meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Beef

01 - 1 lb lean ground beef
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 2 tsp chili powder
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
11 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
12 - 1/2 cup beef broth or water

→ For the Rice

13 - 1 cup long-grain white rice
14 - 2 cups water
15 - 1/2 tsp salt
16 - 1 tbsp lime juice
17 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ For the Beans

18 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
19 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
20 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Toppings

21 - 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
22 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
23 - 1 avocado, sliced
24 - 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
25 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
26 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
27 - 2 green onions, sliced
28 - Optional: sliced jalapeños, shredded lettuce, salsa

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Rinse rice until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, combine rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, 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 cilantro.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned (about 5–6 minutes). Drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Add chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper to the beef. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Pour in beef broth, stir, and simmer for 3–4 minutes until thickened.
04 - In a small saucepan over low heat, combine black beans with cumin, salt, and pepper. Heat for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
05 - Divide rice among 4 bowls. Top each with seasoned beef, black beans, cheese, tomatoes, avocado, sour cream, cilantro, green onions, and any additional toppings as desired. Serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everyone gets to build their perfect bowl with exactly what they crave
  • The seasoned beef keeps beautifully for meal prep all week long
02 -
  • Mashing a portion of the black beans creates a creamier texture that helps bind the bowl together
  • Letting the beef mixture cool slightly before assembling keeps everything fresh and balanced
03 -
  • Rinse your rice thoroughly until water runs clear for perfectly separate grains
  • Let the beef simmer until most of the liquid has absorbed for maximum flavor concentration