Beef Burrito Bowls with Cilantro Lime Rice (Print Version)
Seasoned ground beef over cilantro lime rice with black beans, corn, avocado, and fresh toppings in customizable bowls.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cilantro Lime Rice
01 - 1 cup long-grain white rice
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
06 - 1 lime, zested and juiced
→ Seasoned Ground Beef
07 - 1 pound lean ground beef
08 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
09 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
10 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
12 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
16 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
17 - 1/4 cup tomato sauce or salsa
→ Bowl Toppings
18 - 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
19 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
20 - 1 cup corn kernels, fresh or thawed
21 - 1 avocado, diced
22 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
23 - 1/4 cup sour cream
24 - 1/4 cup sliced green onions
25 - Lime wedges for serving
# Directions:
01 - Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add rice and sauté 1 minute. Pour in 2 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt, bring to boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 15 minutes until rice is tender and water is absorbed. Fluff with fork and stir in cilantro, lime zest, and lime juice. Keep covered and warm.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onion 2-3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds. Add ground beef, breaking up with spoon, and cook 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary. Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Add tomato sauce or salsa and simmer 2-3 minutes.
03 - Divide cilantro lime rice evenly among four bowls. Top each bowl with seasoned beef, black beans, cherry tomatoes, corn, avocado, and cheese. Add dollop of sour cream to each bowl. Sprinkle with green onions and serve with lime wedges.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The cilantro lime rice absorbs all the savory juices from the beef, creating flavor layers that store-bought bowls never quite achieve.
- You can prep most components ahead of time, making this your secret weapon for those nights when cooking feels impossible but takeout isnt quite what you want.
02 -
- Never skip draining the excess fat from the beef - I learned the hard way that too much grease makes the whole bowl taste heavy and masks the brightness of the other ingredients.
- Adding a tiny splash of water to leftover rice before reheating prevents it from drying out, a discovery that revolutionized my meal prep game.
03 -
- Toast the rice in a dry pan for 2 minutes before adding oil and water - this simple step develops a nutty flavor that elevates the entire dish.
- After browning the beef, add a splash of beer or broth to the hot pan and scrape up those flavorful browned bits - this deglazing technique concentrates flavor and creates a sauce-like coating around the meat.