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The Ultimate Ground Beef Burrito Bowl Recipe You Need to Try

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Learn how to make delicious ground beef burrito bowl. Easy recipe with step-by-step instructions.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 pound ground beef (85% lean for the best balance of flavor and juiciness)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or rendered bacon fat for cooking
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup cooked brown rice or white rice (leftover rice works beautifully here)
  • 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed (or pinto beans as a substitute)
  • 1 cup fresh corn kernels (frozen is fine, just thaw first)
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 large tomato, diced
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Optional: sliced avocado or a dollop of sour cream for topping

If you’re looking to lighten things up, swap the ground beef for ground turkey or even a plant-based crumbled alternative. And if you can’t find smoked paprika, regular paprika with a pinch of cayenne will do nicely. This bowl is forgiving and made for adapting—just like my Mama Lu’s kitchen.

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil or bacon fat. Once shimmering, toss in the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, careful not to burn it.
  3. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef. Use a wooden spoon to break it up into smaller pieces, cooking until browned and no longer pink, about 7-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
  4. Stir in the cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper, letting the spices toast in the pan for a minute to bring out their full flavor.
  5. Lower the heat to medium and add the black beans and corn kernels. Stir gently to combine and warm through, about 3-4 minutes.
  6. While the beef mixture is simmering, reheat the cooked rice if needed. A quick zap in the microwave or a gentle toss in a dry skillet works well.
  7. To assemble the bowls, start with a base of rice, then spoon over the seasoned beef and bean mixture.
  8. Top with diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, and fresh cilantro. Squeeze lime juice over the top for brightness.
  9. Add sliced avocado or a dollop of sour cream if you like, for extra creaminess and richness.

When Mama Lu taught me to cook, she always said,

“Don’t rush your food; let it tell you when it’s ready.”

That’s why I keep an eye on the skillet, tasting and adjusting as I go, making sure every bite carries that little spark of love and patience.

Find it online: https://claracooking.com/ground-beef-burrito-bowl/