Regional-Spiced Beef and Rice Skillet
A one-pan meal combining aromatic regional spices with ground beef and fluffy rice, perfect for a comforting dinner. This latin american-inspired beef ready in about 40 minutes pairs ground beef, medium, diced onion, minced garlic cloves 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 medium, diced onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- for serving lime wedges
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced onion and sauté for 4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until aromatic. Then add 1 lb ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 6-7 minutes until browned and no pink remains.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook spices with beef for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 1 cup long grain white rice and stir to coat the grains with spices and beef mixture. Pour in 2 cups beef broth and bring to a boil.
- Step 5: Reduce heat to low, cover skillet, and simmer for 18 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let rest covered for 5 minutes.
- Step 6: Fluff rice with a fork and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Serve with lime wedges on the side for squeezing.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Regional-Spiced Beef and Rice Skillet 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 Regional-Spiced Beef and Rice Skillet?
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 Regional-Spiced Beef and Rice Skillet?
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 Regional-Spiced Beef and Rice Skillet 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 Regional-Spiced Beef and Rice Skillet?
Latin American 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.
