Beef Burrito Bowl
Published Jan 29, 2026
Beef burrito bowl made with ground beef, cilantro lime rice, black beans, and corn, a simple build-your-own dinner.
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Make homemade burrito bowls for dinner!
I’m a big fan of bowl dinners, especially ones that work for the whole family, and this beef burrito bowl is a regular in our house. My kids love bowl nights because everyone gets to build their own and leave off whatever they don’t want, which makes dinner a lot more peaceful. My beef burrito bowl starts with cilantro lime rice, then gets topped with taco-seasoned ground beef, beans, corn, and the usual burrito fillings, which is really whatever you like.
Happy Cooking!
– Yumna
Beef Burrito Bowl Ingredients
- Cilantro lime rice: Long-grain white rice cooked in salted water, then finished with lime zest, lime juice, and chopped cilantro. You can skip seasoning the rice (not the salted water) if you don’t have the rest of the ingredients, the beef burrito bowl will still be yummy with the addition of all the other toppings.
- Ground beef: I prefer lean ground beef; if you have a higher-fat variety, just be sure to drain it well. Onion and garlic cook with it for flavor, while tomato paste, taco seasoning, and a splash of water make it saucy instead of dry.
- Bowl toppings: Black beans, corn, tomatoes, and shredded lettuce are the core toppings. They’re all easy to prep ahead and let everyone customize their bowl.
- For serving: Guacamole and lime wedges are optional, but they add a lot with very little effort. Homemade salsa is amazing on top.
How to Make Beef Burrito Bowls
Beef Burrito Bowl Recipe
Beef burrito bowl with cilantro lime rice, seasoned ground beef, beans, corn, and fresh toppings.
Ingredients
For the Cilantro Lime Rice
- 1 cup long-grain white rice rinsed
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 lime zest and juice
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
For the Ground Beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- ¼ cup water
For the Bowls
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels thawed
- 1 cup chopped tomatoes
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- Guacamole for serving
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- In a small saucepan over high heat, add the rice, salt, and water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes. Uncover, fluff with a fork, then stir in lime zest, lime juice, and cilantro.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant. Add the ground beef, and cook, breaking it apart, for 7 minutes, until browned.
- Stir in the tomato paste and taco seasoning. Pour the water and cook for 2–3 minutes until everything is well combined and the beef is saucy.
- Assemble the bowls by dividing the cilantro lime rice among 4 bowls. Top with the seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, tomatoes, and lettuce.
- Add a generous scoop of guacamole on top and serve with lime wedges.
Notes
- My Top Tip: Rinse your rice. It washes off the starch, which makes the rice nice and fluffy.
- Storage: The cooked rice and cooked ground beef will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days. Reheat in the microwave until warmed through.
Nutrition
Serving: 1bowl, Calories: 569kcal, Carbohydrates: 72g, Protein: 35g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 74mg, Sodium: 549mg, Potassium: 1114mg, Fiber: 11g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 722IU, Vitamin C: 21mg, Calcium: 91mg, Iron: 6mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Did You Make This Recipe?
Recipe Variations
- Give it a smoky flavor: When you stir in the tomato paste, add a chipotle pepper in adobo sauce for even more flavor. You can find them in small cans at most grocery stores.
- Top it with cheese: You can’t go wrong with a shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese blend.
- Add a briny bite: Top the burrito bowls with pickled red onions or pickled jalapeño peppers.
Recipe Tips
- Drain and rinse the beans well. The liquid in the can is starchy and salty, and you don’t want that in the burrito bowls.
- Zest the lime before you juice it. You’ll get the most fragrant oils from the zest if you do it before you cut the lime.
Serving Ideas
- Salsa: Homemade Salsa, Black Bean Salsa, Peach Salsa
- Sides: Corn Tomato Avocado Salad, Avocado Deviled Eggs, Bell Pepper Nachos
- Stuffed peppers: Chicken Fajita Stuffed Peppers, Taco Stuffed Peppers, Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
