If you're a fan of Mexican dishes (and one-skillet meals), like I am, you're going to fall in love with this simple Mexican beef and rice skillet recipe. It's an easy meal that will absolutely fulfill your Taco Tuesday cravings or elevate any other day of the week.
This simple dish combines lean ground beef with hearty beans, aromatics, and savory spices for a meal that will call the whole family to the kitchen with just the smell of it cooking on the stove. Serve it on its own in the style of a southwest bowl, make it an appetizer with corn chips on the side, or fill a tortilla with it for an incredibly tasty taco.
If you're looking for more easy dinner recipes with Mexican flare, try my yummy taco zucchini boats, my simple Mexican chicken salad or these easy rotisserie chicken tacos.
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Why You’ll Love This One-Skillet Dinner
- Versatile - This easy dish is a perfect meal for busy weeknights, but it can also be part of a simple meal prep plan or be cooked up for a crowd if you’re having a party. You can even serve it as an appetizer!
- Easy - With only one pan, not only is this Mexican-inspired dish easy to prepare, it also saves time on cleanup.
- Convenient - All of the ingredients are either already in your pantry or easy to find at any store.
Ingredient Notes
These simple ingredients are easy to locate at the grocery store and come together quickly for a hearty weeknight meal that brings all of the Mexican flavors to the table.
- Olive oil: Olive oil adds rich flavor while sautéing. If you don't have olive oil, any neutral flavored oil like vegetable oil, avocado oil, or canola oil will work fine.
- Yellow onion: Onion and peppers are the building blocks of flavor for this dish.
- Poblano pepper: Poblanos add a smoky flavor and mild heat to the beef and rice.
- Lean ground beef: Using lean beef minimizes the amount of fat that needs to be drained from the pan.
- Garlic: This pungent aromatic brings garlicky goodness to the dish.
- Taco seasoning mix: This seasoning blend that incorporates cumin, chili powder, and paprika (among other spices) brings spiciness and earthiness to the dish. I recommend my easy gluten-free homemade taco seasoning blend.
- White rice: Rice helps to make the dish hearty and soaks up the flavors of the sauce - long grain rice works best. Be sure to use regular rice and not instant rice.
- Beef broth: Beef stock helps to cook the rice and lends a savory flavor. If you're following a gluten free diet, make sure to use broth that is marked as gluten free since this is a product that frequently contains hidden gluten.
- Black beans: Beans add protein and a creamy element to the dish. If you're using canned black beans, make sure they are gluten free. I recommend Bush's brand.
- Salsa: Salsa adds bright flavor and a touch of heat. If you don't have it handy, you can also add diced tomatoes or a can of fire-roasted tomatoes.
- Fresh Cilantro: This herb adds fresh herbaceousness to the beef and rice skillet.
- Add your favorite toppings: Shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, pico de gallo, lime wedges, green onions or hot sauce.
See recipe card for full list of ingredients with quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- Use another meat like ground chicken, ground turkey, or ground pork.
- Instead of black beans, try another variety like pinto beans or kidney beans.
- Make the dish spicier with diced jalapenos, cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, or hot sauce.
- Add more veggies by adding a cup of canned or frozen corn with the rice.
- Make the dish vegetarian by swapping out the beef broth for vegetable brother and substituting plant-based protein for the beef.
- Add red or green bell pepper for extra flavor and crunch.
- For a lower carb version, swap out the rice for cauliflower rice. Cook the rice separately. Omit the beef broth and add the cooked cauliflower rice to the finished meat & bean mixture.
How to make a Mexican beef and rice skillet
This one-pan meal comes together quickly and easily on the stovetop. You'll need a 3 quart non-stick skillet that has a lid.
STEP 1: Heat the olive oil in a non-stick skillet. Add the onion and poblano pepper and cook until softened.
STEP 2: Add the ground beef to the pan with the onions and peppers. Break it up into pieces and cook until browned.
STEP 3: Drain the excess fat from the cooked beef. Return the pan to the heat and add the minced garlic.
STEP 4: Add the uncooked rice, salsa, black beans, taco seasoning and beef broth to the skillet. Stir well. Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Cook for 15-20 minutes until the rice is done and the liquid has been absorbed.
STEP 5: Once the rice is cooked, stir in the chopped cilantro. Serve with your favorite taco toppings.
Tip
If you want to add shredded cheese, sprinkle it on top of the dish after stirring in the cilantro. Replace the lid and allow the dish to sit for about 5 minutes. The retained heat and steam will melt the cheese.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure to reheat to a minimum of 165F before serving.
Other dinner recipes to consider:
If you try this recipe, please leave a 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 star rating and let me know how you liked it in the comments below.
Recipe
Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 cup Yellow Onion diced
- ½ cup Poblano Pepper diced
- 1 pound Lean Ground Beef
- 3 cloves Garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons Taco Seasoning
- 1 cup White Rice
- 2 ½ cups Gluten Free Beef Broth
- 15 ounce cans Black Beans drained
- 1 cup Salsa
- ¼ cup Cilantro chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Add the olive oil to a skillet over medium heat.2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- Once the oil is hot, add the onion and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 4 minutes until the color of the peppers begins to dull.1 cup Yellow Onion, ½ cup Poblano Pepper
- Add the ground beef. Break it up into small pieces and cook until browned. Drain the fat.1 pound Lean Ground Beef
- Add the garlic, continue cooking for another minute while stirring constantly.3 cloves Garlic
- Add the taco seasoning, rice, beef broth, beans and salsa. Stir together to combine. Bring to a simmer, then cover with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Cook until the liquid is gone, about 15-20 minutes.3 tablespoons Taco Seasoning, 1 cup White Rice, 2 ½ cups Gluten Free Beef Broth, 15 ounce cans Black Beans, 1 cup Salsa
- Remove from heat. Stir in the cilantro. Serve with your favorite taco toppings.¼ cup Cilantro
Notes
Tiffany is the recipe developer, stylist and food photographer behind Well Fed Baker. As a lifelong baker who had to go gluten free and dairy free in 2016, Tiffany strives to share allergen friendly recipes that never feel like they are free from anything.
Koch says
The nutritional values are based on what serving value?
It's listed as 6 servings, so it would be 1/6th of the prepared dish. The nutrition calculations are always just a best estimate since the ingredients/nutrition will vary depending on what brands you use.