Beef Burrito Bowl with Brown Rice (Printable Version)
Satisfying Tex-Mex bowl combining spiced beef, nutritious brown rice, and colorful fresh toppings for a wholesome meal.
# What You Need:
→ Beef
01 - 1.1 lbs lean ground beef
02 - 2 tsp olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 2 tsp chili powder
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
11 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
12 - 1/3 cup beef broth or water
→ Rice
13 - 1 cup uncooked brown rice
14 - 2 cups water
15 - 1/2 tsp salt
→ Toppings
16 - 1 can (14 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
17 - 1 large avocado, diced
18 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
19 - 1 cup corn kernels, fresh or thawed
20 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
21 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
22 - 1/4 cup sour cream
23 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
24 - Lime wedges for serving
# How to Make It:
01 - In a saucepan, combine rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer on low heat for 25 minutes until rice is tender and water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
03 - Add ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.
04 - Stir in chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Add tomato paste and beef broth. Simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until thickened and flavors meld.
05 - Heat black beans in a small saucepan over low heat or in a microwave until warmed through.
06 - Divide cooked brown rice among 4 bowls. Top each bowl with seasoned beef, warm black beans, diced avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, corn kernels, shredded lettuce, cheese, and sour cream. Garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice.
07 - Serve the burrito bowls immediately while the beef and rice are still warm.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The brown rice adds a nutty undertone that soaks up the savory beef juices like nothing else, creating little flavor bombs in every bite.
- You can prepare all the components ahead of time and assemble fresh bowls throughout the week when time feels like your enemy.
02 -
- Always let the rice rest for 5 minutes after cooking before fluffing it with a fork, otherwise youll end up with gummy, broken grains.
- The beef mixture actually tastes better the next day after the spices have had time to meld, so dont hesitate to make it ahead.
03 -
- Toast the dry spices in the pan for about 30 seconds before adding the liquid ingredients to wake up their essential oils and deepen their flavor impact.
- Add a tablespoon of lime juice to the rice cooking water for a subtle brightness that balances the earthy grain.