Beef Burrito Bowls Cilantro (Printable View)
Seasoned beef with cilantro lime rice and fresh toppings for a vibrant Tex-Mex bowl.
# Ingredient List:
→ 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
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
18 - 2 tablespoons water
→ Toppings
19 - 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
20 - 1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen
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
# How to Make It:
01 - Rinse the rice under cold water until clear. Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, add rice and toast for 1 minute. Add water and salt, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes until tender. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, then stir in lime zest, juice, and chopped cilantro.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook diced onion for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Add ground beef, breaking it apart, and cook 5-7 minutes until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary. Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add tomato sauce and water, simmer for 2-3 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.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It comes together in 45 minutes flat, which means dinner on a busy night without feeling rushed or stressed.
- The cilantro-lime rice is so bright it makes even simple beef taste restaurant-quality.
- You build your own bowl, so everyone gets exactly what they want without anyone feeling left out.
02 -
- Toast the rice before adding water—this single step prevents mushiness and gives you those separate, individual grains that make the whole bowl feel more refined.
- Add cilantro after the rice cools slightly, not boiling hot, because boiling heat turns cilantro muddy and bitter instead of fresh and alive.
- Slice avocado just before serving or it oxidizes and turns gray within 10 minutes, which tastes fine but looks sad.
- Drain and rinse canned beans thoroughly, otherwise the starchy liquid makes the bowl soggy.
03 -
- Make the rice and beef ahead of time and reheat them gently just before serving—this is how you handle weeknight cooking without losing your mind to last-minute chaos.
- If avocado is hard to find or expensive, a dollop of sour cream mixed with lime juice gives you that creamy richness without the waste or cost.