Chimichurri Ground Beef Bowls (Printable)
Flavorful seasoned beef with fresh herb chimichurri sauce over rice and vegetables.
# What You Need:
→ Ground Beef
01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
07 - ½ tsp chili powder
08 - 1 tbsp soy sauce (gluten-free if needed)
09 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ Chimichurri Sauce
10 - 1 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
11 - ¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
12 - 2 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped
13 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
14 - ½ cup olive oil
15 - 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
16 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
17 - ½ tsp red pepper flakes
18 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Bowl Base & Toppings
19 - 3 cups cooked rice
20 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
21 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
22 - 1 avocado, sliced
23 - ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
24 - Lime wedges, for garnish
# Steps:
01 - Combine parsley, cilantro, oregano, garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Whisk thoroughly until emulsified. Set aside at room temperature for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, approximately 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add ground beef, breaking apart with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned throughout, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking for an additional 2 minutes to incorporate spices.
03 - Divide cooked rice evenly among 4 serving bowls. Arrange seasoned ground beef over the rice. Top with halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced avocado, and thinly sliced red onion. Drizzle chimichurri sauce generously over each bowl.
04 - Place fresh lime wedges alongside each bowl as a finishing garnish. Serve immediately while beef is hot and vegetables are crisp.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The chimichurri sauce transforms ordinary ground beef into something that tastes like it came from a restaurant
- Everything comes together in under 40 minutes even on the busiest weeknights
02 -
- The chimichurri tastes infinitely better if you make it ahead and let it sit for at least an hour
- Do not skip the smoked paprika because it provides the signature flavor that makes this dish special
03 -
- Finely chop the herbs by hand because food processors turn everything into mush
- Taste the chimichurri before adding it to the bowls because the balance of acid and oil matters