Description
This Ground Beef Burrito Bowl is a flavorful and hearty meal featuring seasoned lean ground beef simmered with bell peppers and spices, served over fluffy rice and topped with black beans, corn, fresh tomatoes, shredded cheese, and a zesty jalapeño cilantro sour cream sauce. Perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner, this dish balances bold Mexican-inspired flavors with a fresh and creamy sauce, all ready in about 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Ground Beef Mixture
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 small red bell pepper, diced
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- ¼ cup onions (red or yellow), diced
- ¼-⅓ cup water
Rice
- ½ cup long grain rice, uncooked (use more as needed)
Beans & Veggies
- 1 15 oz can black beans, drained
- 1 15 oz can corn kernels, drained
- ½ cup tomatoes, diced
- ¼ cup shredded cheese (more as needed)
Jalapeño Cilantro Sauce
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- 1 jalapeño, sliced, seeds discarded for mild flavor
- ⅓ cup cilantro
- 1 Tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp cumin
Instructions
- Cook the rice: Start by cooking the long grain rice according to the package instructions, which typically takes about 20 minutes. This will serve as the base for your burrito bowl.
- Brown the ground beef: Heat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat and add the lean ground beef. Cook for about 4 minutes until browned. Use paper towels to soak up any excess grease, discarding the towels afterward. Leaving a little grease is fine as it will add flavor and help thicken the sauce.
- Add seasonings and vegetables: To the skillet with browned beef, add chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Stir in the tomato paste, diced onions, and diced red and green bell peppers. Pour in ¼ to ⅓ cup water or broth. Cover and simmer on low heat for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the mixture is too runny, simmer uncovered to reduce the liquid. Using leaner ground meat may result in a thinner sauce consistency.
- Prepare the Jalapeño cilantro sauce: While the beef simmers, combine sour cream, jalapeño (with seeds removed for milder flavor), cilantro, lime juice, salt, and cumin in a small blender or food processor. Blend until mostly smooth to create a creamy, zesty sauce.
- Assemble the burrito bowls: In individual serving bowls, start with a scoop of cooked rice. Top with the seasoned ground beef and pepper mixture, followed by drained black beans, drained corn kernels, diced tomatoes, and shredded cheese. Drizzle a generous spoonful of the Jalapeño cilantro sauce over the top for added creaminess and spice. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Adjust the spice level by adding more or less jalapeño or cayenne pepper according to your taste.
- Use broth instead of water for deeper flavor in the beef mixture.
- For a lower fat version, use extra lean ground beef or turkey.
- Substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a healthier sauce option.
- Serve with additional lime wedges and fresh cilantro for garnish.
