Beef Burrito Bowls Cilantro (Printable)
Seasoned beef and zesty cilantro lime rice combine with fresh toppings in this vibrant Tex-Mex bowl.
# 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 - Zest and juice of 1 lime
06 - 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
→ Seasoned Beef
07 - 1 pound ground beef (90% lean preferred)
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 crushed tomatoes
18 - 2 tablespoons water
→ Toppings
19 - 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
20 - 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
21 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
22 - 1 avocado, sliced
23 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
24 - 1/4 cup sour cream (optional)
25 - 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional)
26 - Lime wedges, for serving
# Directions:
01 - Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat; add rice and toast for 1 minute. Add 2 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 15 minutes until water is absorbed and rice is tender. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, then stir in lime zest, lime juice, and chopped cilantro.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and sauté 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until browned. Drain excess fat if needed. Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Add tomato sauce and 2 tablespoons water, then simmer 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thickened.
03 - Divide cilantro lime rice evenly among four bowls. Top each with seasoned beef, black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, avocado slices, shredded cheese, and optional toppings such as sour cream, jalapeño slices, and lime wedges.
# Cooking Tips:
01 -
- Everything cooks in under 45 minutes, so you can have dinner on the table without the usual weeknight stress.
- It's endlessly customizable—top it however you like, and it still tastes amazing.
- The cilantro-lime rice alone is bright enough to make you feel like you're cooking something restaurant-worthy.
02 -
- Don't skip rinsing the rice—I learned this the hard way when I tried to save a minute and ended up with gluey, stuck-together grains.
- The secret to flavorful beef is letting it sit in the skillet long enough to brown, not constantly stirring it around.
- Add the cilantro at the very end; cooking it kills what makes it special.
03 -
- Toast your spices in the pan for just a few seconds before adding the rest of the ingredients—it wakes them up and makes them taste fresher and more vivid.
- Lime is non-negotiable; it's what transforms this from a regular rice bowl into something that tastes bright and alive, so don't skimp on it.