One-Pot Persian Beef and Green Bean Rice
A comforting one-pot dish combining ground beef, green beans, and fragrant Persian spices with tomato sauce and basmati rice for an easy weeknight meal. This middle eastern-inspired beef ready in about 50 minutes pairs pound ground beef, rinsed basmati rice, tablespoons tomato paste 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 pound ground beef
- 2 cups, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces green beans
- 1 1/2 cups, rinsed basmati rice
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 3 cups water or beef broth
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 2, minced garlic cloves
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large nonstick pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 medium diced onion and sauté for 4 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Step 2: Add 1 pound ground beef and 2 minced garlic cloves, breaking up the meat with a spoon. Cook for 5 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tablespoon curry powder, 1 teaspoon turmeric powder, 3 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; cook for 2 minutes until fragrant and tomato paste darkens slightly.
- Step 4: Add 2 cups trimmed and cut green beans, 1 1/2 cups rinsed basmati rice, and 3 cups water or beef broth; stir to combine.
- Step 5: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 20 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and let the pot sit covered for 10 minutes to steam.
- Step 7: Fluff the rice gently with a fork and serve warm for a hearty Persian-inspired meal.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Persian Beef and Green Bean Rice take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 Persian Beef and Green Bean Rice?
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 pound ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Persian Beef and Green Bean Rice?
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 Persian Beef and Green Bean Rice 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 Persian Beef and Green Bean Rice?
Middle Eastern 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.
