Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet – Indulge, in the flavors of Tex-Mex cuisine with our mouthwatering recipe for Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet. In half an hour you can prepare a one-pan meal that combines perfectly seasoned ground beef, vibrant peppers, tender rice, hearty black beans, and sweet corn. All these ingredients come together in a zesty salsa blend that will make your taste buds dance with joy. This dish is a fusion of tastes and textures that will surely please both your family and friends. Whether you’re seeking a weeknight dinner or a satisfying meal to share with loved ones this skillet recipe checks all the flavor boxes while being easy to prepare. Get ready for a Tex-Mex fiesta!
The moment I cooked up this Beef and Rice Skillet for the first time the kitchen was filled with enticing aromas of sizzling beef and aromatic spices. It immediately caught the attention of my husband and child who eagerly gathered around the stove in anticipation. As we let the dish simmer we engaged in conversations, about our day while being serenaded by the sounds of ingredients sizzling in the pan. When I served up this flavorful skillet dish their faces lit up with excitement followed by smiles as they took their first bite.
The combination of seasoned beef, vibrant peppers, and a variety of Tex-Mex flavors had truly captured their hearts. It wasn’t a dinner; it turned into a special moment of bonding reminding us of the joy we find in sharing food with our loved ones. This recipe has become a choice, within our family serving as a reminder that the most memorable meals are those shared with the people we care about.
What makes this Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet truly stand out?
This Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet offers a symphony of flavors and convenience that sets it apart as an option for any mealtime. Its outstanding features begin with its preparation time; within 30 minutes you can have a wholesome and satisfying Tex-Mex dinner ready to be enjoyed. The recipe’s flexibility shines through its ability to be customized with toppings making it suitable for everyone’s palate. From the perfectly cooked beef to the medley of peppers and the harmonious blend of spices each bite delivers an explosion of authentic Tex-Mex deliciousness. The addition of parboiled rice ensures that cooking this dish is quick and easy without compromising on textures. Whether you’re seeking a weeknight meal or an impressive dish, for gatherings this skillet recipe stands out as a favorite that both families and taste buds will adore without requiring excessive time or effort.
What You Need To Make This Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet Recipe?
Parboiled Rice: While you can certainly use long-grain rice many prefer parboiled rice for this recipe. It undergoes precooking resulting in less sticky grains that work perfectly in skillet dishes.
Taco Seasoning: You have the option to use store-bought taco seasoning. You can create your blend using cumin, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder to give it a more personalized flavor.
Broth: To enhance the taste of the dish choose a flavorful broth such as beef or vegetable.
Chunky Salsa: The choice of salsa can affect how spicy the recipe turns out. Choose medium or hot salsa based on your preference, for heat.
Black Beans: Remember to drain and rinse the canned beans to remove salt and starch.
Sweet Corn: Depending on what you have available you can use either canned or frozen sweet corn.
Toppings: This is where you can get creative! Consider adding cheese, lime wedges, sour cream, chopped tomatoes, fresh cilantro, diced avocado, and tortilla chips as optional toppings to customize your Mexican feast.
Steps To Make Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet:
Step 1: Begin this journey by heating up a skillet over medium-high heat. Drizzle some olive oil into the skillet. Let it sizzle for a moment.
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Step 2: Add the chopped onion to the skillet. Let it cook for 2 minutes until it becomes softened and releases its fragrant aroma. Now sprinkle in the garlic. Add the ground beef watching as it turns into a beautifully browned delight.
Step 3: Next in line are our friends, the yellow peppers. Dice them up. Toss them into the mixture for one more minute.
Step 4: Now it’s time to unleash a burst of flavor! Stir in the tomato paste, and taco seasoning (because you can never have much of that stuff right?) and don’t forget to add a pinch of salt and pepper. Let all these ingredients mingle in the skillet for a minute.
Step 5: Here comes the rice arriving with an array of goodness. Pour in the rice followed by the broth, salsa, black beans, and sweet corn. Give everything a stir with joy.
Step 6: Reduce the heat cover it with a lid and allow it to gently simmer for 15 minutes. This is where all the magic happens as everything becomes cozy and delicious.
Step 7: If it seems a little dry you can always add broth to keep the fun going.
Step 8: Now if you want to make it fancy (and who wouldn’t?) sprinkle some shredded cheese on top. Cover it for another 2 minutes to allow that cheese to melt perfectly into golden goodness.
Step 9: It’s time to shine! Present this creation, with all the toppings of your choice. Consider cheese, tangy lime wedges, sour cream, vibrant chopped tomatoes, fragrant cilantro, smooth avocado, and some satisfying crunch, from tortilla chips. The decision is yours so let your imagination run wild!
Tip:
To enhance the taste of your Beef and Rice Skillet you might want to try using parboiled rice. The special way it’s processed allows it to absorb flavors well making every bite of your dish incredibly tasty. Additionally, it keeps the rice grains separate and fluffy so you’ll enjoy a perfect texture, with each mouthful. Now you can savor a meal that rivals restaurant quality in the comfort of your own home!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice in this recipe?
Sure! You can definitely use brown rice instead of white rice in this recipe. While parboiled rice is usually preferred for its flavor-absorbing quality substituting it with brown rice gives the dish a nuttier taste. Adds some extra fiber. Just bear in mind that cooking time might be slightly longer, for brown rice and you may need to use a bit more of broth.
Is there a way to make this dish vegetarian?
Absolutely! There’s a way to make this vegetarian. Simply skip the ground beef. Opt for a vegetarian version. You can increase the amount of beans. Incorporate your favorite meatless ground substitute to create a protein-packed meat-free meal.
How long can I store leftovers, and how should I reheat them?
You can store leftovers in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. When reheating, place the desired portion in a microwave container with a splash of water or broth to maintain moisture. Alternatively, you can reheat it in a skillet, over medium-low heat while occasionally stirring until thoroughly heated.
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Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 red pepper diced
- 1 yellow pepper diced
- 1 tbsp. tomato paste
- 1 tbsp. taco seasoning
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 c parboiled rice see notes
- 1.5 c broth or more if it seems dry
- 1 jar 16-oz chunky salsa
- 1 can 15-oz black beans
- 1 c sweet corn canned OR frozen
- Shredded cheese lime wedges, sour cream, chopped tomatoes, cilantro, avocado, tortilla chips. optional, to serve
Instructions
- Heat up a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet, over medium-high heat.
- Throw in the chopped onion and sauté for around 2 minutes then add the minced garlic and ground beef. Cook until the beef is nicely browned.
- Next mix in the yellow peppers and cook for an additional minute.
- Add tomato paste, taco seasoning, salt and pepper to the skillet. Give it a stir. Let it cook for about a minute.
- Now it's time to add the parboiled rice, broth, chunky salsa, black beans and sweet corn. Make sure everything is well mixed together.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer cover it with a lid and reduce the heat. Let it cook for 15 minutes or until everything is fully cooked. If needed you can add broth during this process.
- As a step to make things extra delicious; sprinkle some shredded cheese on top of your dish. Cover it again for another 2 minutes so that the cheese melts beautifully. Serve your creation with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
