Flavorful Mexican Beef and Rice Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Sizzling aromas waft through the kitchen as this Mexican beef and rice delight recipe promises a culinary adventure.

Tender beef mingles with perfectly seasoned rice, creating a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Each bite tells a story of rich spices and comforting textures.

The dish brings together classic Mexican ingredients in a way that feels both familiar and exciting.

Protein-packed and deeply satisfying, this meal turns an ordinary dinner into something extraordinary.

Vibrant colors and bold seasonings make this recipe a true crowd-pleaser that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Get ready to savor every delicious moment of this mouthwatering Mexican classic.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 5

Mexican Beef and Rice Ingredient Rundown

• Olive Oil: Adds richness and helps prevent sticking while creating a perfect sauté foundation.
• Onion: Provides a sweet, aromatic base that builds deep flavor complexity.
• Garlic: Delivers a punchy, robust taste that elevates the entire dish's flavor profile.

• Ground Beef: Creates a hearty, satisfying protein base with rich meaty goodness.
• Black Beans: Boosts protein content and adds delightful creamy texture.

• Red Pepper, Yellow Pepper: Introduces vibrant colors, crisp texture, and sweet, mild flavor.
• Corn: Brings sweet bursts of freshness and delightful golden color.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrates tangy tomato essence and helps thicken the sauce.
• Taco Seasoning: Infuses authentic Mexican-inspired spice blend.
• Salt, Pepper: Balances and enhances overall taste profile.

• Rice: Serves as a filling, hearty base that absorbs all delicious flavors.
• Broth: Creates moisture and adds additional layered flavor.
• Salsa: Introduces zesty, fresh tomato notes and additional moisture.

• Shredded Cheese: Provides creamy, melty topping that adds luxurious richness.

Tools to Bring This Mexican-Inspired Dish Together

• Large Skillet: Essential for cooking and combining all ingredients, providing ample space for browning beef and mixing components.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients without scratching the skillet surface.
• Measuring Cups: Helps accurately measure rice, broth, and other liquid ingredients for consistent results.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions, peppers, and preparing other ingredients before cooking.
• Sharp Knife: Required for precise chopping of vegetables and mincing garlic.
• Lid: Covers skillet during simmering to trap heat and cook rice evenly.

Cooking Beef and Rice with Flavorful Ease

• Sizzling Onion Foundation

Heat oil in a large skillet, tossing chopped onions until they become soft and slightly golden.

• Meaty Transformation

Introduce ground beef and minced garlic, browning the meat completely while creating an aromatic base.

• Colorful Pepper Invasion

Fold vibrant red and yellow peppers into the skillet, then sprinkle in zesty seasonings to amplify flavor profiles.

• Hearty Ingredient Fusion

Combine rice, savory broth, chunky salsa, protein-packed beans, and sweet corn kernels. Stir enthusiastically to blend all components.

• Mellow Simmering Finale

Lower heat and cover skillet, allowing ingredients to mingle and rice to absorb delicious liquid. After about 15 minutes, shower with melty cheese. Let it rest briefly, creating a luscious, comforting meal ready to devour. Top with fresh cilantro or cool sour cream for extra excitement.

Tips to Add More Kick or Creaminess

• Spice-Up Secrets: Mix and match different types of salsa to create unique flavor profiles, from mild to fiery hot.
• Protein Power Swap: Replace ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a lighter meal variation.
• Veggie Boost Technique: Add extra vegetables like zucchini, spinach, or diced carrots to increase nutritional value and create more texture.
• Leftover Magic: Transform remaining dish into stuffed peppers by placing the mixture inside bell peppers and baking for 20 minutes with additional cheese on top.

Ways to Serve Mexican Beef and Rice Right

• Fiesta Feast Companions: Top this Mexican Beef and Rice Delight with fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream for an extra burst of flavor.
• Zesty Garnish Bonanza: Sprinkle chopped green onions, sliced jalapeños, and crushed tortilla chips on top to add crunch and heat to the dish.
• Fresh Side Kick: Serve alongside a crisp avocado salad or quick lime-dressed coleslaw to balance the rich, hearty flavors of the main course.
• Dipping Delights: Pair with warm tortillas or crispy tortilla chips to scoop up every delicious bite and soak up the savory sauce.

Save This Dish for Another Quick Meal

• Batch Cooking Brilliance: Prepare a double batch of this Mexican Beef and Rice Delight to enjoy quick meals throughout the week. Portion individual servings in airtight containers for grab-and-go lunches or dinners.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: This dish freezes exceptionally well for up to 3 months. Cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers, leaving a small space at the top to allow for expansion during freezing.
• Refrigerator Revival Tricks: When reheating, add a splash of broth or water to restore moisture and prevent the rice from drying out. Warm gently in a skillet or microwave, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly.
• Smart Ingredient Swap Technique: Keep the recipe flexible by substituting ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based protein crumbles. Experiment with different types of rice or grains to keep the meal exciting and nutritionally diverse.

Hearty Mexican Beef and Rice Recipe

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4.9 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty Mexican beef and rice delight combines robust flavors from savory ground beef, spicy seasonings, and tender rice. Comfort meets zest in this satisfying meal you’ll savor with enthusiasm.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (pound) ground beef
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans
• 1 cup sweet corn (canned or frozen)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red pepper, diced
• 1 yellow pepper, diced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp taco seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup rice (parboiled preferred)
• 1.5 cups broth (or more if needed)
• 1 jar (16 oz) chunky salsa
• Shredded cheese (optional)
• Lime wedges (optional)
• Sour cream (optional)
• Chopped tomatoes (optional)
• Cilantro (optional)
• Avocado (optional)
• Tortilla chips (optional)

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Instructions

1. Sautéing Base: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, transforming chopped onions into a translucent, aromatic foundation.
2. Meat Preparation: Add ground beef and minced garlic, vigorously browning the meat and fragmenting it into consistent, bite-sized pieces while developing deep, rich flavors.
3. Vegetable Integration: Toss red and yellow peppers into the skillet, quickly stirring to preserve their vibrant color and crisp texture, enhancing the dish’s visual and gustatory appeal.
4. Seasoning Fusion: Infuse the meat mixture with tomato paste, taco seasoning, salt, and pepper, allowing the spices to bloom and create a complex, robust flavor profile.
5. Liquid and Grain Incorporation: Introduce uncooked rice, broth, salsa, black beans, and corn, gently folding to ensure even distribution and comprehensive flavor integration.
6. Simmering Process: Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and allow the mixture to simmer gently, occasionally stirring to prevent adherence and promote uniform cooking until rice achieves perfect tenderness.
7. Cheese Finale: Sprinkle shredded cheese across the surface, covering briefly to create a melted, luxurious topping, then remove from heat and let the dish rest, allowing flavors to harmonize.
8. Serving Suggestion: Plate the Mexican Beef and Rice Delight, garnishing with optional cilantro, sour cream, or sliced jalapeños to elevate the culinary experience.

Notes

• Meat Browning Technique: Thoroughly crumble ground beef into small, uniform pieces for even cooking and optimal texture distribution.
• Spice Activation Strategy: Toast taco seasoning with meat and tomato paste to release deep, rich flavors and enhance overall taste profile.
• Liquid Management Tip: Watch rice absorption carefully, adding extra broth if mixture becomes too dry to prevent burning and ensure perfectly cooked grains.
• Cheese Melting Hack: Cover skillet briefly after sprinkling cheese to create a luxurious, seamlessly melted topping that enhances the dish’s overall appeal.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg