One-Pot Spicy Mexican Rice with Ground Beef and Black Beans
A hearty, one-pot dinner featuring ground beef, black beans, and smoky spices cooked together with rice for easy cleanup. This mexican-inspired beef ready in about 35 minutes pairs ground beef, olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 1 cup, with juice fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 cup, drained and rinsed black beans
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- for serving lime wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until hot. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook, breaking apart with a spoon, until browned and no pink remains, about 6 minutes.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the beef. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion is softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tbsp chili powder and 1 tsp ground cumin, cooking for 1 minute to bloom the spices.
- Step 4: Add 1 cup long grain white rice, 1 cup fire-roasted diced tomatoes with juice, 1 cup drained black beans, and 2 cups beef broth. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Step 5: Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer gently for 18-20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Step 6: Remove from heat, fluff rice with a fork, and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Serve with lime wedges on the side for squeezing.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Spicy Mexican Rice with Ground Beef and Black Beans take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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 Spicy Mexican Rice with Ground Beef 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 Spicy Mexican Rice with Ground Beef 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 Spicy Mexican Rice with Ground Beef 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 Spicy Mexican Rice with Ground Beef and 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.
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