Regular beans and rice are a hearty meal and a timeless combination that forms the foundation of countless dishes across the globe. But today, we’re taking that simple classic and transforming it into a flavor-packed, satisfying meal: Beefy Beans & Rice. This recipe builds on the familiar base of my Spanish Rice, ground beef, hearty black beans, and spices, to create a dish that’s as delicious as it is versatile. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a dish to wow your family, this one-pot wonder delivers.
This simple dish starts with browning ground beef then season it with a blend of warm spices like cumin, paprika, and chili powder, transforming the simple ingredients into something deeply aromatic and flavorful. Next comes the star ingredient: your favourite salsa. Similarly to our Quick & Easy Chili recipe, salsa plays a starring role in the Beefy Beans and Rice, and a good salsa is key to the perfect meal. From there, we add broth, or bouillon and water, the rinsed rice, and the hearty black beans. It’s so quick and easy to put together!
The best part? This recipe is endlessly customizable. Want to dial up the spice? Toss in some diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper. Prefer a vegetarian version? Simply skip the beef and double up on the beans, or add in some sautéed veggies like zucchini or bell peppers. Try different salsas to really change things up. It’s a dish that welcomes creativity, so you can make it your own with ease. Serve it as a hearty main course, spoon it into tortillas for burritos, or use it as a side dish for tacos or enchiladas.
Beefy Beans & Rice is a dish that proves you don’t need complicated techniques or a long list of ingredients to create something truly special. With just some normal pantry staples and a little love, you’ll have a meal that’s big on flavor, easy on effort, and sure to become a new family favorite.
Beefy Beans & Rice
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs lean ground beef
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion diced small
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp cumin
- 1½ cups salsa preferred style and heat
- 1 tbsp Better than Bouillon Beef Flavour see notes
- 4 cups water see notes
- 2 cups long grain white rice
- 1 can black beans 15oz can, drained and rinsed
- shredded cheese as desired
Instructions
- Brown 1½ lbs lean ground beef over medium heat in a large pot, then drain.
- Add 1 tbsp vegetable oil to same pot, then 1 medium onion and cook until onions are softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the ground beef back into to the pot with the onions, then add 1 tsp chili powder, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp dried oregano, ½ tsp smoked paprika, and ½ tsp cumin. Mix well.
- Pour in 1½ cups salsa, plus 1 tbsp Better than Bouillon Beef Flavour and 4 cups water, stir.
- Add 2 cups long grain white rice (rinsed) and 1 can black beans (rinsed and drained), and stir.
- Cover with led, turn heat to medium high, and allow the contents to start bubbling.
- Turn heat to low, so that the liquid is just simmering, and cook, covered, for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
- If the rice isn't tender before the liquid is absorbed, add a ½-1 cup water and allow to cook for a few more minutes.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately with shredded cheese.
Notes
Nutrition
Authentic Recipes
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