These ground beef burrito bowls bring together fluffy cilantro lime rice and savory, warmly seasoned beef. The rice gets its fresh flavor from lime zest, lime juice, and chopped cilantro, while tomato paste and beef broth help the skillet seasoning coat the crumbles.
Each part has a distinct texture: tender rice, browned beef, and a lightly sauced finish. A few small technique choices—especially rinsing the rice and letting it rest covered—help the components come together as intended.
Build fluffy rice with a covered rest
Rinsing long-grain white rice under cool water until it runs mostly clear removes loose surface starch, which can make cooked grains cling together. Drain the rice well before combining it with water and kosher salt in the saucepan.
Once the rice reaches a boil, keep the lid on as you lower the heat for the simmer. Avoid lifting it to check on the grains: trapped steam helps cook them evenly. The covered rest after cooking matters, too. When you fluff the rice with a fork, the grains should separate without turning mushy.
Stir the butter, lime zest, lime juice, and cilantro into the fluffed rice. Zest contributes fragrant citrus flavor, while the juice adds a brighter, tangier note. Folding these in after cooking keeps the cilantro fresh-tasting and distributes the lime throughout the rice.
Brown the beef before adding seasoning
The onion cooks alongside the 85/15 ground beef, adding savory flavor as the beef browns. Use a large skillet over medium-high heat and break the meat into small crumbles as you stir. Giving the beef room to make contact with the skillet helps it brown rather than simply steam. If excess fat collects, drain it as needed before seasoning.
Wait until the beef is cooked through and well browned before stirring in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and tomato paste. This order keeps the browning step focused and lets the tomato paste become part of the seasoned mixture.
Let broth turn the seasoning into a coating
Low-sodium beef broth loosens the tomato paste and spices so they can coat the beef crumbles. Stir as the mixture cooks, giving the liquid time to reduce until most has been absorbed. The goal is beef that looks evenly seasoned and moist, without a pool of broth in the skillet.
Taste and texture depend on getting this balance right: too much remaining liquid can make the rice soggy where the components meet, while cooking until the skillet is dry can leave the beef less cohesive. Keep stirring as the broth reduces so the seasoning spreads evenly.
Bring the rice and beef together
Divide the cilantro lime rice among the bowls, then top it with the seasoned beef. Keeping the components distinct lets you enjoy the citrusy rice and spiced beef together in each bite. If the rice seems compact after resting, fluff it gently with a fork before adding the lime and cilantro.
The covered rest is a useful point to remember when coordinating the two components: it gives the rice time to finish while you work on the skillet. Keep the saucepan covered during both the simmer and the rest, and uncover it when you are ready to fluff and season the rice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why rinse the rice before cooking?
Rinsing removes loose surface starch from the long-grain rice, which helps the cooked grains stay fluffy and separate. Let the water run mostly clear, then drain the rice well before adding it to the saucepan.
How can you tell when the beef is ready for the broth?
Look for small crumbles that are well browned and cooked through before adding the seasonings and tomato paste. Once you add broth, keep stirring as it reduces until most of the liquid is absorbed and the beef is evenly coated.
When should you add the lime and cilantro?
Stir the lime zest, lime juice, and chopped cilantro into the rice after cooking, resting, and fluffing it. Adding them at that point lets the citrus and fresh herb flavor mix through the grains without cooking the cilantro in the saucepan.
Ground Beef Burrito Bowls with Cilantro Lime Rice
Course: Main CourseCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings15
minutes30
minutes450
kcal45
minutesThese burrito bowls pair fluffy cilantro lime rice with browned ground beef seasoned with cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and garlic.
Ingredients
- Cilantro Lime Rice
1 cup long-grain white rice
1 3/4 cups water
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 tbsp unsalted butter
1 medium lime, zested and juiced
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Seasoned Ground Beef
1 lb 85/15 ground beef
1/2 medium yellow onion, finely diced
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
2 tbsp tomato paste
1/4 cup low-sodium beef broth
Directions
- Cilantro Lime Rice
- Rinse the rice under cool water until the water runs mostly clear. Combine it with the water and salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, about 5 minutes, then cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.
- Seasoned Ground Beef
- While the rice stands, add the ground beef and onion to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally and breaking the beef into small crumbles, until it is well browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and tomato paste. Add the broth and cook for 2 minutes, stirring, until the beef is evenly coated and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Assembly
- Fluff the rice with a fork. Stir in the butter, lime zest, 1 tablespoon lime juice, and cilantro. Divide the rice among four bowls and top with the seasoned ground beef.
Notes
- Keep the saucepan covered during the simmer and rest so the trapped steam finishes cooking the rice evenly.
