Beef Burrito Bowls Cilantro (Printable)
Vibrant bowl with spiced beef, cilantro lime rice, fresh toppings, and satisfying flavors for any night.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef
01 - 1.1 lb lean ground beef
02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
05 - 1 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
07 - 1 tsp chili powder
08 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
11 - 2 tbsp olive oil
12 - 1/3 cup plus 1 tbsp beef or chicken broth
→ Cilantro Lime Rice
13 - 1 cup long-grain white rice
14 - 2 cups water
15 - 1 tbsp olive oil
16 - 1/2 tsp salt
17 - Zest of 1 lime
18 - Juice of 1 lime
19 - 1/3 cup packed fresh cilantro, finely chopped
→ Toppings
20 - 1 can (14 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
21 - 1 large avocado, sliced
22 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
23 - 1/2 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or thawed frozen)
24 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
25 - 1/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
26 - 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional)
27 - Lime wedges, for serving
# How-To Steps:
01 - Rinse rice under cold water until clear. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, add rice and stir 1 minute. Add 2 cups water and 1/2 tsp salt, bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat; let stand covered 5 minutes. Fluff with fork and stir in lime zest, juice, and cilantro.
02 - Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté onion 2 minutes until softened, add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Add ground beef and cook, breaking up, until browned, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Stir in tomato paste, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper to coat beef evenly. Pour in broth, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes until thickened and flavorful.
04 - Place drained black beans in a small saucepan with a splash of water. Heat over low until warmed through; season lightly with salt if desired.
05 - Divide cilantro lime rice evenly among 4 bowls. Top each with beef mixture, black beans, avocado slices, cherry tomatoes, corn, cheese, and a dollop of sour cream. Garnish with jalapeño slices and extra cilantro if preferred. Serve with lime wedges.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The whole thing comes together in under 45 minutes, which means weeknight dinners actually happen without stress.
- You can customize each bowl with whatever toppings you have on hand, so there's zero waste and everyone eats what they actually like.
- That cilantro lime rice is addictive enough to make plain chicken taste exciting, but here it's just the opening act.
02 -
- Rinsing rice is not optional if you want separate grains instead of a starchy clump—this single step changes everything.
- Don't drain the beef aggressively if there's only a little fat; that fat carries flavor, and a small amount is part of what makes it taste good.
- Cilantro goes in while the rice is still warm so it releases its oils and flavors; add it to cold rice and it stays flat and grassy.
03 -
- Toast the rice in oil before adding water; this creates a subtle nuttiness that plain boiled rice never achieves.
- Taste the spiced beef as it simmers and adjust salt or spices to your preference—some stoves run hotter and cook things faster, so trust your palate.