Easy Ground Beef and Rice Bowls Recipe

Feb 1

Lately my husband has been completely obsessed with ground beef and white rice. He goes through pounds and pounds of ground beef every week because it is so easy to make, it always turns out good, and it actually satisfies everyone. He is not wrong.

I wanted to put a little spin on that simple combo and turn it into something flavorful that still comes together in 30 minutes or less. This is the kind of meal you can make for your entire family on a busy weeknight, or prep ahead and eat all week long. It is high in protein, filling, and made with simple ingredients.

The flavor inspiration comes from California, where we both grew up. He grew up in San Diego right on the border of Mexico, and Mexican food was a huge part of his diet. I grew up in Southern California too, and those fresh, limey, taco-style flavors are something we both love and grew up eating.

This bowl is inspired by that California-style flavor profile, but made in a way that works for real life, including my two-year-old who is currently obsessed with ground beef. The spice level is totally customizable. I keep it mild for her, but if you love heat, you can easily turn it up.

Why I Love This Easy Ground Beef Recipe

I love recipes that feel like something everyone will actually eat without complaints. These rice bowls are warm, filling, and simple, but still have great flavor. The taco seasoning does most of the heavy lifting, and the lime zest makes it taste fresh and bright instead of heavy.

This is also one of those meals where you can build each bowl exactly how you want it. My toddler is happy with beef, rice, and avocado. My husband adds extra lime, sometimes hot sauce, and occasionally crushed tortilla chips for crunch. I love cilantro on top and a little extra zest because it makes it feel like the “restaurant version” at home.

And most importantly, it is a 30-minute dinner with less dishes. That is always the goal.

You might also like: The Best Loaded Beef Nachos Recipe, Copycat Air Fryer Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme, Easy One-Pot Bean Chili.

Recipe at a Glance

Servings: 4
Total time: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Perfect for: busy weeknights, picky eaters, meal prep, quick lunches

What Makes These Limey Taco Beef Bowls So Good

The rice is super fluffy and just lightly seasoned, and the lime makes it taste so fresh and bright.
The ground beef turns into this really juicy, flavorful taco meat thanks to the tomato paste and a splash of water. It keeps it saucy without being heavy.
That squeeze of lime juice at the end is what really makes it. It gives it that fresh taco-style finish and pulls everything together.
And the avocado is honestly the best part. It makes the whole bowl extra creamy and satisfying, plus it adds those healthy fats that keep you full.

Ingredient Notes and Easy Swaps

I love using Siete taco seasoning for this recipe because it has no added sugar and the flavor is seriously so good. I usually grab the mild packet, especially when I’m making this for my toddler. Siete has a few different seasoning options though, so feel free to use whatever level you like.

Protein Options

This recipe is made with ground beef, but you can absolutely swap in ground turkey or ground chicken if that is what you have on hand. It still turns out flavorful, juicy, and high-protein.

Carb Options

I love using long-grain basmati rice for these bowls because it cooks quickly and stays fluffy. That said, you can use whatever works best for your life.

Microwaveable rice is totally fine for a shortcut
Brown rice also works, just remember the cooking time will vary and it takes longer than white rice

Tomato Paste Substitutions

Tomato paste adds richness without making the beef heavy, and it helps create that lightly saucy texture.

If you do not have tomato paste, you can:

omit it completely, or
swap in ½ cup salsa instead

Lime Substitutions

Lime is what gives these bowls that fresh, California-style flavor, but if you do not have limes, you can easily swap in:

lemon juice, or
lemon zest

Sour Cream Swaps (Optional Topping)

If you like adding sour cream to your rice bowls, you can also swap it for:

Greek yogurt (high-protein and super creamy)
coconut yogurt if you want a dairy-free option

Taco Seasoning Tips (Packet or Homemade)

Taco seasoning adds so much flavor here. If you have a packet, use it and keep it easy. If you do not have taco seasoning, you can make your own blend with pantry spices.

Homemade taco seasoning:

1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp paprika (smoked or sweet)
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp sea salt
½ tsp black pepper

Ingredients You’ll Need

Lime Rice

1 cup long-grain basmati rice
2 cups water
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon avocado oil or olive oil
Zest and juice of 1 lime

Taco Beef

1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
1 lb ground beef (85/15 or 90/10)
1 packet taco seasoning
1 tablespoon tomato paste
¼ cup water
Juice of 1 lime

Toppings and Finish

1 ripe avocado, sliced or cubed
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Lime juice and zest for topping (optional)

How to Make Limey Taco Beef and Rice Bowls

Make the Lime Rice

Place the rice in a stockpot and rinse under cold water 6 to 8 times, until the water runs mostly clear.
Add the cold water, salt, and oil to the pot. Stir to combine.
Place the pot on the stove over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover with a lid.
Let the rice simmer for 10 minutes. This is a great time to work on the taco beef step below!
Turn off the heat. Then add the lime zest directly to the rice.
Fluff with a fork and set aside.

Cook the Taco Beef

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until mostly browned.
Add the taco seasoning, tomato paste and water. Stir well to combine.
Let the beef simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until juicy and lightly saucy, not watery.
Turn off the heat and stir in the lime juice.

Assemble the Bowls

Divide the lime rice between bowls.
Top with the taco beef.
Add avocado and fresh cilantro.
Finish with extra lime zest on top if desired.

Tips and Tricks to Make Your Beef Bowls Even Better

If you are new to cooking rice or you feel like yours always comes out sticky, I promise this one tip changes everything.

Rinse Your Rice

Rinse the rice under cold water 6 to 8 times until the water runs mostly clear. This removes the extra starch and helps you get that fluffy texture.

If you want to go deeper into this, I have a full guide here: How to Make Fluffy Rice.

Zest Before You Juice

Always zest your limes before you cut and juice them. It is so much easier, and it gives you the best flavor.

Taste at the End

Lime and salt are powerful. Taste your beef and rice at the end and adjust slowly. It is easy to add more, but hard to fix if you add too much.

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What to Serve with Ground Beef and Rice Bowls

These bowls are already a complete meal, but if you want to bulk them up or customize them for your family, here are my favorite add-ons:

Tortilla chips or crushed chips for crunch
Diced tomatoes or cherry tomatoes
Corn (fresh or frozen and warmed)
Shredded cheese
Sour cream or Greek yogurt
Salsa or pico de gallo
Hot sauce

My Go-To Kitchen Tools For This Recipe

Sharp chef’s knife (for slicing chicken into cutlets) (Copy)

Same Recipe, Different Meal

Tacos

Spoon the meat mixture into warm tortillas. Add rice if you want, then top with avocado, cilantro, and whatever else you love.

Burrito Bowls

Serve it exactly as written, but add beans, lettuce leaves, corn, or extra veggies like bell peppers.

Burritos

Add rice and beef to a large tortilla, roll tightly, and toast in a pan if you want that crispy outside.

Lettuce Wraps

Skip the rice and spoon the beef into butter lettuce or romaine. It is fresh, crunchy, and still super filling.

Nutrition and Macros (Per Bowl)

Each bowl packs roughly 30 to 35 grams of protein, which makes it super filling and great for meal prep.

Using 85/15 ground beef, each serving is approximately:

Calories: 575
Protein: 35 g
Carbohydrates: 45 g
Fat: 28 g
Fiber: 7 g

Easy Macro Modifications

You can adjust this depending on your goals:

Less rice = lower carb
Leaner beef = lower fat
Extra beef = higher protein

FAQs

Yes, this recipe is perfect for meal prep. I like to portion the lime rice and taco beef into individual containers so it is ready to grab for lunch or an easy dinner later. Store the toppings like avocado and cilantro separately if you can, since they taste freshest added right before eating. Everything reheats really well, and it makes busy weeknights so much easier.
This will last about 3 days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container. If you are making it for the week, I recommend keeping the rice and beef together, and then adding fresh toppings like avocado, salsa, or sour cream right before serving.
Absolutely. This is one of those meals that works really well for picky eaters because it is simple and familiar. I keep the taco seasoning mild for my toddler, and she loves it. You can also serve everything “deconstructed” for little ones, like plain rice, a scoop of beef, and avocado on the side.
Yes, and it is super easy to adjust. If you want more heat, you can use a spicy taco seasoning packet, add red pepper flakes, or finish your bowl with hot sauce. You can also add sliced jalapeños or a spoonful of salsa for extra kick. I usually keep it mild while cooking, then spice up my own bowl at the end.
Yes. Homemade taco seasoning works great here and is a good option if you do not have a packet on hand. It also lets you control the salt and spice level, which is especially helpful if you are cooking for kids. Just mix your seasonings together, add them to the browned beef, and continue the recipe as written.

This Easy Ground Beef and Rice Bowl Recipe is one of those meals that just works. It is fast, high-protein, family-friendly, and made with simple ingredients you can find at any grocery store.

It has the flavor of the California-style tacos we grew up eating, but it is designed for real life and busy weeknights. If you are looking for a great recipe that satisfies the whole family, makes less dishes, and gives you leftovers you will actually want to eat, this is it.

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