Beef Burrito Bowl Brown Rice (Printable)
Hearty bowl featuring seasoned beef, brown rice, and fresh toppings with a Mexican flair.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef
01 - 1.1 lbs lean ground beef
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tbsp chili powder
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
08 - ½ tsp dried oregano
09 - ½ tsp salt
10 - ¼ tsp black pepper
11 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
12 - ⅓ cup + 1 tbsp water
→ Brown Rice
13 - 1 cup brown rice
14 - 2½ cups water
15 - ½ tsp salt
→ Toppings
16 - 1 medium avocado, diced
17 - 1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
18 - ¾ cup canned sweetcorn, drained
19 - ¾ cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
20 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
21 - ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
22 - 4 tbsp sour cream
23 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
24 - Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
# How to Make It:
01 - Rinse the brown rice under cold water. In a saucepan, combine rice, 2½ cups water, and ½ tsp salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes until tender and water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
02 - While rice cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
03 - Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.
04 - Mix in chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir in tomato paste and ⅓ cup plus 1 tbsp of water. Simmer for 4 to 5 minutes until the mixture thickens. Adjust seasoning to taste.
05 - Dice the avocado, halve the cherry tomatoes, drain the sweetcorn and black beans, and shred the lettuce and cheddar cheese.
06 - Divide the cooked brown rice evenly among four bowls. Top each with the seasoned beef mixture. Arrange avocado, cherry tomatoes, sweetcorn, black beans, shredded lettuce, and cheddar cheese on top. Add a dollop of sour cream, a lime wedge, and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves.
07 - Serve immediately, allowing each diner to mix their bowl as desired.
# Expert Hacks:
01 -
- It comes together in under 45 minutes without sacrificing flavor or nutrition.
- Everyone at the table gets to build their own bowl, which somehow makes the meal feel more interactive and fun.
- The combination of textures—creamy avocado, crisp lettuce, tender beef, and nutty brown rice—keeps every bite interesting.
- It's naturally gluten-free and easily adaptable to different dietary preferences without losing what makes it delicious.
02 -
- Brown rice needs the full 25 minutes and shouldn't be rushed; underdone rice ruins the whole texture of the bowl, but perfectly tender rice with just a tiny bit of chew transforms everything.
- Don't add the avocado until you're ready to serve, because it will brown within 20 minutes of being cut and exposed to air.
- Drain your canned ingredients thoroughly because excess liquid will make the toppings soggy and dilute the flavors you've built so carefully with the beef.
03 -
- Toast your spices in the hot oil for just 30 seconds before adding anything else, because that bloom releases oils and deepens flavor in a way that changes the whole taste profile.
- If your rice turns out slightly mushy, it's still delicious—just stir it gently and think of it as creamy rather than overcooked, because the texture actually works with the toppings.