Busy weeknights just got easier (and more delicious!) with this Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet! It’s a one-pot meal, full of Mexican flavors, that will make your whole family want to go back for seconds. Taco seasoning and salsa combine with ground beef, canned corn, black beans, and white rice to form a quick and easy dinner recipe with minimal clean-up!
Our Weeknight One-Pot Mexican Beef and Rice
Weeknights are always a bit hectic, and Tuesdays are the worst.
I have a weekly run group I attend and am lucky to get home by 8:30 PM!
Fortunately, there’s more than one cook in the household. Justin is also the BEST at making quick and easy 30-minute meals… like this one-pot Mexican Beef and Rice recipe! (Check out more of Justin’s Recipes!)
It’s as if you combined taco-seasoned ground beef with the best Mexican rice, tossed in a bit of black beans and canned corn, and then let it all cook up together.
The Mexican flavors? On point.
Healthy AND filling? Oh yes.
Simple ingredients, easy to make, and sure to become a new family favorite? Absolutely.
You can even make this one-skillet dinner as spicy or mild as you’d like, or add on a bit of shredded cheese at the end to take it up another notch in flavor!
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- Ground beef. The best option is an 85/15 or 90/10 blend. You want some of the fat, but still a leaner option. Change it up with ground pork or even ground turkey.
- Onion. A finely diced onion is sautéed to create a rich flavor. A sweet onion is the best balance, but you can opt for yellow or white, as well. (Here’s more info on how to cut an onion.)
- Taco seasoning. Whip up your own homemade taco seasoning, or grab a store-bought jar from the grocery store.
- Rice. Long grain white rice was used to test this recipe. Don’t sub in brown rice or minute rice, the liquid ratio is very different. Remember to rinse the rice first.
- Salsa. A mild or medium jar of salsa works, and you can choose your desired spice level. Or, make your own like this Roasted Tomato Salsa Recipe.
How to Make Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet
Please see the recipe card below for ingredient amounts and more detailed instructions.
1. Brown the Ground Beef
Drizzle the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or skillet and set the stove to medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 6 to 7 minutes. It should no longer be pink.
Use a potato masher to crumble the meat into small pieces. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
2. Sauté the Onion
While the beef is cooking, finely dice the fresh onion. Add the chopped onion to the grease left behind by the beef, and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
3. Add the Remaining Ingredients
Pour the chicken broth into the skillet, then add the uncooked rice, salsa, corn, black beans, cooked beef, taco seasoning mix, and salt to the Dutch oven. Stir everything together with a wooden spoon.
Turn the heat to high and bring to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a lid and let the rice mixture simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. The rice should be tender.
4. Serve with Toppings
After the rice is fully cooked, you’re ready to dig in. Stir the chopped cilantro into the Mexican ground beef skillet and serve with some freshly squeezed lime. You can’t go wrong with your favorite taco toppings, like some chopped green onions, sour cream, diced tomatoes, hot sauce, or even homemade tortilla chips.
FAQs
The best way to season Mexican beef and rice is with taco seasoning, either homemade or store-bought. Of course, don’t forget the fresh cilantro and lime juice.
Yes! Rinsing the rice before cooking removes the extra starch, ensuring the best possible texture.
Recipe Tips
- Rinse first. Hold the rice under running water to remove the extra starch.
- DIY. You can make your own salsa and taco seasoning to ensure the perfect amount of spice.
- Scrape it. Run the spatula over the bottom of the pan to ensure no burnt-on bits remain.
- Some like it hot. Include chili powder, cayenne pepper, or even fresh jalapeño peppers for an added kick.
What to Serve with Mexican Beef and Rice
It’s so easy to dish up a big bowl of this tasty recipe for dinner tonight, but you can also serve any of these flavorful sides.
Serve a salad, like Lemon Arugula Salad or a Massaged Kale Salad.
Add some veggies, like Air Fryer Broccoli, Sautéed Green Beans, or Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts.
More Easy Mexican Recipes
Once you taste this Mexican-inspired dish, I’m sure you’ll be chomping at the bit for more like it!
- Mexican Lasagna
- Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers
- Mexican Rice
- Mexican Breakfast Casserole
- Mexican Quinoa Salad
- Mexican Street Corn Salad
- Corn Tortilla Quesadillas
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Easy Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp. oil avocado or olive
- 1 lb. ground beef 85/15 or 90/10
- 1 small sweet onion finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 ¼ cups long grain white rice rinsed and drained
- 2 cups broth chicken or vegetable, regular sodium
- 15 oz. jar salsa mild or medium
- 15 oz. can corn rinsed and drained
- 15 oz. can black beans rinsed and drained
- 3 Tbsp. taco seasoning mix*
- ½ tsp. salt to taste*
- 1 small bunch cilantro finely chopped
- ½ lime juice
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Add oil to a large Dutch oven over medium heat along with the ground beef. Cook for 6-7 minutes, or until no longer pink. Break the meat apart into smaller crumbles. Remove beef and place on a separate plate until needed.1 Tbsp. oil, 1 lb. ground beef
- Sauté the Onion: While the beef is cooking, prep the onion. Add onion to any grease remaining in the Dutch oven and saute for 2-3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and continue sauteing for another 30 seconds.1 small sweet onion, 3 cloves garlic
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Pour in the rice, broth, salsa, corn, black beans, cooked beef, taco seasoning, and salt. Give it all a good stir. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover the pot with a lid and simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until rice is tender.1 ¼ cups long grain white rice, 2 cups broth, 15 oz. jar salsa, 15 oz. can corn, 15 oz. can black beans, 3 Tbsp. taco seasoning mix*, ½ tsp. salt
- Finish and Serve: Once rice is fully cooked, mix in chopped cilantro and serve with freshly squeezed lime juice. Enjoy!1 small bunch cilantro, ½ lime
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Video
Notes
- Rinse first. Hold the rice under running water to remove the extra starch.
- DIY. You can make your own salsa and taco seasoning to ensure the perfect amount of spice.
- Scrape it. Run the spatula over the bottom of the pan to ensure no burnt-on bits remain.
- Some like it hot. Include chili powder, cayenne pepper, or even fresh jalapeño peppers for an added kick.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
