Beef Burrito Bowls with Beans (Printable)
Seasoned beef, cilantro lime rice, beans, and fresh toppings in a hearty bowl.
# What You Need:
→ Beef
01 - 1.1 lbs ground beef
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 tbsp tomato paste
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1 tsp chili powder
09 - 0.5 tsp dried oregano
10 - 0.5 tsp salt
11 - 0.25 tsp black pepper
→ Cilantro Lime Rice
12 - 1 cup long-grain white rice
13 - 2 cups water
14 - 0.5 tsp salt
15 - 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
16 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, finely chopped
17 - 1 tbsp olive oil
→ Beans
18 - 1 can (14 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
19 - 0.5 tsp ground cumin
20 - 0.25 tsp chili powder
21 - 0.25 tsp salt
→ Toppings
22 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
23 - 1 avocado, diced
24 - 0.5 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
25 - 0.25 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
26 - 0.25 cup red onion, thinly sliced
27 - 0.25 cup fresh cilantro leaves
28 - Lime wedges, for serving
# Steps:
01 - Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, combine rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 15 minutes until tender and water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, then stir in lime juice, cilantro, and olive oil.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking apart with a spatula, about 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook an additional 2 minutes. Remove from heat and keep warm.
03 - In a small saucepan, combine black beans, cumin, chili powder, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 4 minutes until heated through.
04 - Divide cilantro lime rice evenly among four bowls. Top each with seasoned beef, black beans, cherry tomatoes, avocado, cheese, sour cream, red onion, and fresh cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.
05 - Serve immediately, allowing customization with preferred toppings.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- It comes together in under 45 minutes, which means dinner on the table before anyone gets too hungry.
- Every component can be prepped ahead, turning it into a no-stress assembly line when guests arrive.
- The cilantro lime rice alone is so good you'll find yourself making it for other meals.
02 -
- If you brown the beef too quickly on high heat, it'll release water and steam instead of getting that golden crust—medium heat is your friend.
- Don't skip rinsing the rice; starchy rice clumps together and loses that fluffy texture that makes this bowl satisfying.
- Assemble the bowls right before eating so the rice stays warm and the avocado doesn't oxidize.
03 -
- Toast your dried spices briefly in a dry pan before adding them to the beef if you want their flavors to punch even harder.
- Cook extra cilantro lime rice on purpose—it's fantastic cold in tomorrow's lunch or stirred into eggs for breakfast.