One-Pot Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet with Black Beans
A flavorful one-pot meal combining ground beef, seasoned rice, black beans, and tomatoes, perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner. This mexican-inspired beef ready in about 40 minutes pairs olive oil, ground beef, medium yellow onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 can (10 oz) canned diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- 1 can (15 oz) canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet; sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp smoked paprika; cook for 1 minute to toast the spices.
- Step 4: Add 1 cup long grain white rice, 2 cups beef broth, 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (including juices), 1 can (15 oz) drained black beans, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Step 5: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes until the rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Step 6: Remove skillet from heat and sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes until the cheese melts.
- Step 7: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet with Black Beans take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pot Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet with Black Beans?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet with Black Beans?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pot Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet with Black Beans for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Pot Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet with Black Beans?
Mexican beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
