Beef Burrito Bowl Brown Rice (Printable)
Hearty bowl with seasoned beef, brown rice, avocado, beans, and fresh toppings inspired by Mexican flavors.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Beef
01 - 1.1 lbs lean ground beef
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tbsp chili powder
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
08 - ½ tsp dried oregano
09 - ½ tsp salt
10 - ¼ tsp black pepper
11 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
12 - ⅓ cup + 1 tbsp water
→ Brown Rice
13 - 1 cup brown rice
14 - 2½ cups water
15 - ½ tsp salt
→ Toppings
16 - 1 medium avocado, diced
17 - 1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
18 - ¾ cup canned sweetcorn, drained
19 - ¾ cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
20 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
21 - ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
22 - 4 tbsp sour cream
23 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
24 - Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
# How-To Steps:
01 - Rinse the brown rice under cold water. In a saucepan, combine the rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes until tender and water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
02 - While rice cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
03 - Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
04 - Mix in chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir in tomato paste and water. Simmer for 4 to 5 minutes until the mixture thickens. Adjust seasoning to taste.
05 - Dice the avocado, halve the cherry tomatoes, drain the sweetcorn and black beans, and shred the lettuce and cheddar cheese.
06 - Distribute the brown rice into 4 bowls. Top each with the beef mixture. Arrange avocado, cherry tomatoes, sweetcorn, black beans, shredded lettuce, and shredded cheddar cheese on top. Add a dollop of sour cream, a lime wedge, and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves.
07 - Serve the bowls right away, allowing diners to mix their ingredients as desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It comes together in under 45 minutes, yet tastes like you spent hours layering flavors.
- The warm spiced beef against cool avocado and bright cilantro creates a kind of textural conversation in every bite.
- You can make it once and feed four people, or prep components on Sunday and assemble throughout the week.
02 -
- Don't skip rinsing the brown rice; it makes the difference between fluffy individual grains and a sticky mass.
- The beef needs to actually brown, not just cook through—give it a moment to sit undisturbed in the pan so a slight crust forms and you get real depth of flavor.
- Lime juice on the avocado right before serving prevents browning and adds brightness the dish desperately needs.
03 -
- Toast the dried spices in the hot oil for a full 30 seconds before adding the beef—this blooms their flavor and makes the entire dish taste more intentional and aromatic.
- Don't drain the beef too aggressively; a little of that flavorful fat helps carry the spices throughout the mixture.