Beef Burrito Bowls Cilantro Lime (Print Version)
Spiced beef paired with cilantro lime rice and fresh toppings for a flavorful, easy dish.
# 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 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. Stir in rice for 1 minute. Add 2 cups water and 1/2 tsp salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat, keep covered for 5 minutes. Fluff rice, then mix in lime zest, lime juice, and chopped cilantro.
02 - Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté onion for 2 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add ground beef, breaking it apart, and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Stir in tomato paste, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Pour in broth, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes until sauce thickens and flavors meld.
04 - Place drained black beans in a small saucepan with a splash of water. Heat over low heat until warmed through. Season lightly with salt if desired.
05 - Divide cilantro lime rice evenly among 4 bowls. Layer each with spiced beef, black beans, avocado slices, cherry tomatoes, corn, cheese, and a dollop of sour cream. Garnish with jalapeño slices and extra cilantro if desired. Serve with lime wedges.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Everything comes together in under 45 minutes, so weeknight dinners actually feel doable.
- You can customize each bowl exactly how you like it, which means everyone at the table is happy.
- The cilantro lime rice is so good you'll find yourself making it separately just to eat with other dishes.
- It tastes impressive enough to serve guests but simple enough that you won't stress.
02 -
- Don't skip rinsing the rice—it's the difference between fluffy grains and a starchy paste, and the effort takes 30 seconds.
- The spices need that moment of contact with hot fat to fully release their flavor; adding them dry to the browned beef then immediately adding liquid mutes them.
- Slice your avocado right before assembling or keep it in the skin until the last moment, as exposure to air browns it fast.
- The lime wedges aren't just garnish—they're the final seasoning, and squeezing them over everything ties all the components together.
03 -
- Brown your beef on medium-high heat without crowding the pan—if the temperature drops, the meat steams instead of caramelizing, and you lose a layer of flavor.
- Taste the spiced beef before it goes into the bowl and adjust seasoning if needed; this is your last chance to balance the flavors.