Craving the vibrant flavors of Mexico but short on time? You’re in the right place! This Mexican ground beef skillet recipe is your answer to a quick, flavorful, and incredibly versatile meal. Using simple hamburger meat (ground beef), we’ll transform everyday ingredients into a fiesta of flavors in just one pan. Get ready to discover how easy it is to bring authentic Mexican taste to your table any night of the week.
Mexican ground beef recipe skillet.
Why You’ll Love These Mexican Ground Beef Recipes
Mexican ground beef is a true culinary workhorse, perfect for busy weeknights, casual gatherings, or even meal prepping for the week ahead. This recipe shines because it’s:
- Quick and Easy: From prep to plate in about 30 minutes – ideal for those evenings when time is of the essence.
- One-Pan Wonder: Minimal cleanup is a major win! Everything cooks together in a single skillet, making your post-dinner routine a breeze.
- Packed with Flavor: Taco seasoning infuses the ground beef with authentic Mexican spices, creating a dish that’s far from bland.
- Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy it as is, in bowls, tacos, nachos, burritos, or even stuffed vegetables – the possibilities are endless!
- Family-Friendly: A guaranteed crowd-pleaser, even picky eaters will love the savory flavors and melted cheese.
- Healthy and Hearty: Loaded with vegetables, protein-rich ground beef and beans, and just the right amount of cheese for comfort.
This Mexican beef skillet recipe is your secret weapon for creating delicious and effortless meals. Let’s dive into what you’ll need and how to bring this flavorful dish to life.
Ingredients You Need for Mexican Ground Beef Skillet
To create this flavorful Mexican ground beef skillet, gather these simple and readily available ingredients:
- Olive Oil: For sautéing the vegetables and adding a touch of healthy fat.
- Red Onion: Adds a sweet and pungent base flavor. Yellow onion works as a substitute if needed.
- Garlic: Essential for authentic Mexican flavor. Fresh cloves are highly recommended for the best taste.
- Bell Peppers: Choose your favorite colors! Red and yellow bell peppers offer sweetness, while green adds a slightly bitter note. Poblano peppers can also be used for a mild kick.
- Ground Beef: The star of the show! Opt for good quality ground beef, ideally 85/15 or 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio. The fat enhances the flavor and keeps the dish moist.
- Taco Seasoning: Your shortcut to authentic Mexican spices. Use your favorite store-bought blend or homemade taco seasoning.
- Tomato Sauce: Adds a subtle tomato base and moisture to the skillet.
- Tomato Paste: Concentrated tomato flavor that adds depth and richness to the sauce.
- Green Chiles: Canned green chiles provide a mild heat and authentic Southwestern flavor.
- Black Beans: A staple in Mexican cuisine, black beans add protein, fiber, and a creamy texture. Pinto beans are a great alternative.
- White Rice: Quick-cooking white rice is perfect for skillet meals. It cooks directly in the dish, absorbing all the delicious flavors.
- Broth: Beef or chicken broth provides the liquid needed to cook the rice and adds another layer of flavor. Water can be used in a pinch.
- Black Olives: Sliced black olives are optional but add a briny and salty pop.
- Cheese: The glorious melted cheese topping! Sharp cheddar or a Mexican cheese blend are excellent choices. Adjust the amount to your cheesy preference.
- Fresh Cilantro: A must-have garnish for fresh, vibrant flavor and a beautiful finishing touch.
Ground beef Mexican recipe with beans, rice, peppers and melted cheese.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions for Mexican Ground Beef Skillet
This one-pan Mexican ground beef recipe is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps to create a delicious and satisfying meal:
- Sauté the Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped red onion, minced garlic, and bell peppers. Sauté until the vegetables begin to soften, about 3-5 minutes.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet and add the ground beef to the empty space. Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon or spatula, until browned and cooked through.
- Combine and Season: Stir the browned ground beef and sautéed vegetables together. Add taco seasoning, tomato sauce, tomato paste, green chiles, and black beans. Mix everything well and cook for another 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Add Rice and Broth: Stir in the white rice and broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid.
- Melt the Cheese: Remove the lid and sprinkle sliced black olives (if using) and grated cheese evenly over the top of the skillet. Cover again and cook for a few more minutes until the cheese is melted and gooey.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish generously with fresh cilantro. Serve hot and enjoy!
And that’s it! You’ve created a delicious and healthy Mexican ground beef skillet with minimal effort and cleanup.
Serving Ideas & Variations for Your Mexican Beef Skillet
The beauty of this Mexican ground beef recipe lies in its versatility. Here are some exciting serving suggestions to keep your meals interesting:
- Classic Bowls: Serve generous scoops of the Mexican ground beef skillet in bowls. Enjoy it as is for a simple, satisfying, and wholesome meal.
- Loaded Bowls: Take your bowls to the next level with toppings! Add guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, a squeeze of fresh lime juice, or your favorite salsa like a vibrant pineapple habanero salsa.
- Nachos Fiesta: Transform this skillet into a nacho extravaganza! Pile tortilla chips on a platter and spoon the Mexican ground beef mixture over the top. Load up with extra cheese and your favorite nacho toppings for a game-day worthy treat. It might even rival carne asada nachos!
- Taco Night Upgrade: Turn this skillet into taco filling! Since it’s already seasoned with taco spices, it’s the perfect base for flavorful ground beef tacos. Warm up your favorite tortillas and let everyone build their own tacos with desired toppings.
- Burrito Bliss: Roll the Mexican ground beef skillet into large burrito-sized tortillas for hearty and satisfying burritos. Add rice, beans, and other fillings for a truly customizable meal that’s even better than takeout.
- Stuffed Vegetable Delight: Get creative and use this recipe as a stuffing for vegetables. Hollow out zucchini (round zucchini work particularly well), bell peppers, or even onions and fill them with the flavorful ground beef mixture. Bake until tender for a unique and healthy twist.
With so many serving options, this Mexican ground beef skillet is perfect for meal prepping. Cook once and enjoy different variations throughout the week!
Melted cheese on top of a Mexican ground beef skillet.
Storing and Meal Prepping Tips for Mexican Ground Beef
This Mexican ground beef skillet is ideal for making ahead and enjoying later. Here’s how to store it properly:
- Refrigerating: Allow the skillet to cool to room temperature completely before storing. Transfer the mixture to airtight containers and refrigerate for up to a week.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the cooled mixture in airtight, freezer-safe containers for up to 2-3 months.
Just like ground beef stir fry, this Mexican skillet is a meal prep champion! Prepare a large batch on the weekend and enjoy quick and easy lunches or dinners throughout the week.
FAQs About Cooking Mexican Ground Beef
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, you can substitute brown rice or other grains like quinoa, millet, or couscous. However, cooking times and liquid ratios will need adjustment. Brown rice takes significantly longer to cook than white rice. For quick skillet meals like this, white rice is generally the most convenient choice.
Can I use other types of ground meat?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with other ground meats. Ground turkey, chicken, pork, lamb, bison, venison, or elk would all work well.
How can I make this recipe vegetarian?
To create a plant-based version, simply omit the ground beef. Double the amount of black beans for added protein and heartiness. You can also incorporate quinoa in place of rice for an extra protein boost. Alternatively, consider trying a dedicated Mexican vegetable soup recipe for a fully vegetarian option.
Is this recipe spicy?
The spiciness level primarily depends on the taco seasoning you choose. Be sure to check the label of your taco seasoning to understand its heat level. This recipe doesn’t include additional spicy peppers, making it easy to control the spice. If you prefer a spicier dish, add a chopped jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
More Delicious & Healthy Ground Beef Recipes
Looking for more inspiration for healthy ground beef recipes? Check out these other flavorful options:
- Easy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet
- Spicy Udon Noodle Skillet
- Burger In a Bowl
- Healthy Sloppy Joes
- Beef Kafta
Enjoy exploring these recipes and bringing more delicious and easy meals to your table!
Mexican Ground Beef Skillet Recipe
By: Gina Matsoukas
Servings: 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Print Recipe
Mexican ground beef recipe.
An easy and healthy ground beef recipe that’s made in one-pan in just 30 minutes. Enjoy this Mexican ground beef skillet as a simple weeknight meal or serve with chips for game day!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium red onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 bell peppers, or poblano peppers, chopped
- 1 pound 85% lean ground beef
- 1 package taco seasoning, about 3 tablespoons
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 ounce can green chiles
- 15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup white rice
- 1 cup beef or chicken broth
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 1 cup grated cheese, cheddar or Mexican blend
- freshly chopped cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Pour the olive oil into a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the onion, garlic and bell peppers. Sauté until slightly softened, about 3-5 minutes then push to one side of the pan.
- Add the ground beef to the empty side of the skillet and break into small pieces using a spatula until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
- Mix the ingredients in the pan together then add the taco seasoning, tomato sauce, tomato paste, green chiles and beans. Stir until everything is well combined and let cook for 2 minutes.
- Add the rice and broth. Stir until mix mixed and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a low simmer, cover the skillet with a lid and cook until the rice is tender and fully cooked, about 12-15 minutes.
- Remove the lid, add the olives and scatter the cheese over the top of the skillet. Cover again for just a couple of minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Garnish with cilantro before serving.
Notes
You’ll need at least a 12″ skillet for this recipe. If you have a large sauté pan with straight sides, that will also work well.
Nutrition
Serving: 1SERVINGCalories: 822kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 65gFat: 42gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 20gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 179mgSodium: 1394mgFiber: 12gSugar: 6g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: Mexican
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Gina Matsoukas
Founder and Writer at Running to the Kitchen | About
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
