One-Pot Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet with Tomatoes and Black Beans
A colorful one-pot skillet combining seasoned ground beef, rice, black beans, and tomatoes for a quick and satisfying Mexican-inspired dinner. This mexican-inspired one pot ready in about 40 minutes pairs ground beef, olive oil, yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 1/2 cups, rinsed long grain white rice
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed canned black beans
- 2 1/2 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped, for garnish fresh cilantro
- for serving lime wedges
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook, breaking up with a spoon, for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the beef. Sauté for 3 minutes until onion softens.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 1 1/2 cups rinsed long grain white rice, 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice, 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed black beans, 2 1/2 cups beef broth, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Step 5: Bring mixture to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and cook for 18-20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet with Tomatoes and 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 Tomatoes and 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 ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet with Tomatoes and 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 Tomatoes and 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 Tomatoes and Black Beans?
Mexican one pot 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.
