Easy Mexican Ground Beef and Rice (One-Pan Recipes)
This easy recipe for Mexican Ground Beef and Rice is the perfect quick dinner. With just one skillet, you’ll have a complete meal packed with great Tex Mex flavors in minutes!
Trying to come up with dinner ideas that are quick, healthy, and enjoyed by the whole family feels impossible sometimes.
But here lately, I’ve really been loving skillet recipes. The make an easy weeknight meal that I can easily customize based on what I have on hand.
They only use skillet to cook (hooray for less dishes) and can be done on the stovetop (yay for not heating the house up with the oven during the summer months).
This particular recipe I’m sharing is a one pot Mexican ground beef and rice skillet. It uses simple ingredients and can be added to or taken away from depending on your families’ preferences.
No matter how you go about it though, it is a delicious meal, perfect for a busy weeknight.
Ingredients for Mexican Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Recipe
(exact measurements found on recipe card)
- Ground Meat – Lean ground beef or ground pork are my favorite ground meats to use in this dish.
- White Rice – medium or long grain white rice works best in this recipe. If you choose to use brown rice, be sure to keep an eye on the liquid (you will probably need a little more than the recipe calls for) and allow for a longer cooking time.
- Beef Broth
- Diced Tomatoes with Green Chiles
- Onion, Garlic, Green Bell Pepper
- Salt, Pepper, Cumin, Chili Powder, Onion Powder, and Garlic Powder – You can also use a packet of taco seasoning if that’s what you have.
Optional Toppings for Serving
These toppings or additions are perfect for this Tex Mex ground beef dish.
- Sour Cream – Stir in a little sour cream (or plain greek yogurt) to make this ground meat and rice recipe creamier.
- Shredded Cheese – You could cover the entire dish with shredded cheese and place to lid back on to let it melt, or just add a little to each plate.
- Sliced Avocado or Pico – add a little freshness to this dish with avocado or pico.
- Black Beans – adding a can of rinsed black beans to this dish is not only tasty, but it also makes this dish go a lot further. Just add the beans in at the same time the tomatoes go in.
- Tortilla Chips – crush the chips on top or use them to scoop it up!
- Cilantro – a great herb to add extra flavor to any Tex-Mex dish.
Supplies Needed
- Large Skillet with Lid
- Cooking Utensils and Measuring Tools
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How to Make Mexican Beef and Rice
In a large skillet with a little oil, add ground meat, diced onion and green pepper. Season with a little salt and pepper and cook over medium heat.
After veggies are soft and meat is cooked through, add in minced garlic, rotel and remaining seasonings. Allow to cook for another minute or so.
Add uncooked rice to the skillet. Stir it around in the meat and veggie mixture and let it brown for a couple of minutes (stir it constantly so it doesn’t burn).
Now you want to add in the beef broth.
Bring everything to a boil. Place lid on the pot and reduce heat. Now allow it to continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the rice is cooked and liquid absorbed.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
And that’s it! An easy ground beef skillet the entire family can enjoy.
FAQ’s
Can I use other ground meats?
Sure. Any ground meat, like ground turkey or ground chicken, should work well. It will change the taste of the dish, but it should still cook together the same way.
Can I use minute rice?
Minute rice cannot be used the exact same way. If you only have minute rice on hand, cook it separately and then add it to the dish without broth.
What about leftover rice?
If you have some leftover rice, just add it to the dish but reduce the broth amount to 1/4 cup.
More Simple Homemade Recipe
One Skillet Tex-Mex Ground Beef and Rice
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground meat beef, pork, and turkey are all good options
- 1 cup uncooked rice rinsed
- 2 to 2 1/2 cups beef broth
- 10 oz diced tomatoes with green chilis Rotel
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 1 tbsp garlic minced
- oil for browning meat and vegetables
Seasoning Blend (or use Taco Seasoning)
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 2 tsp garlic and onion powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- salt and pepper to taste I use about a tsp of each
Instructions
- Heat a tbls of oil in a large skillet with a lid. Add the ground meat, onion and bell pepper. Allow meat to brown and veggies to soften. Drain grease if needed and return to skillet.
- Add in can of diced tomatoes (undrained), minced garlic, and spices. Stir to combine and allow to cook for a couple of minutes while you stir.
- Add uncooked, rinsed rice to skillet. Let cook for a minute or two while stirring before adding the broth.
- Add in the 2 cups of broth. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to a simmer.
- Allow to cook until all liquid is absorbed and rice is tender (about 20 minutes). You will want to check the pot every 5-7 minutes to make sure your rice isn't sticking. If you notice the liquid is low and your rice isn't done, add another 1/2 cup of broth or water.
- Serve with toppings of choice, such as shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, pico or tortilla chips!
