Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet

5 from 9 votes
14 Comments

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This Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet is an easy, delicious one pot meal for any night of the week. Have dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes!

Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet in a large pan
Featured with this recipe
  1. Ingredients for Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet
  2. What is the Difference Between Spanish Rice and Mexican Rice?
  3. Substitutions and Additions for Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet
  4. Recipe Tips
  5. Frequently Asked Questions for Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet
  6. Gluten Free Recipe
  7. Easy Rice Recipes to Try
  8. How to Make Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet
  9. Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet Recipe

One pot meals are always a favorite go-to dinner in our family. This Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet is the perfect family meal that everyone will love! The meal is filled with meat, cheese, tomatoes, and onions. All the hearty ingredients with all the flavor! It’s a simple large skillet meal that can have added ingredients to make it even more hearty and nutritious with several variations. Create the best meal for your family that you will have on repeat each week!


Ingredients for Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet

This Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet was a solid rotation meal when we were growing up. I am pretty sure it was slightly different every time, though, because our mom rarely followed a recipe. It is a family favorite! Here’s all you need:

  • Ground beef – lean ground beef is best when cooking. Once finished browning, drain the access grease, if any.
  • Onion – I used a yellow onion but a red onion or white onion will work with more flavoring.
  • Rice – long grain white rice has a fluffy texture when cooked rather than soft and clumpy.
  • Black Beans – beans make this a more filling and nutritious dish.
  • Taco Seasoning – use store bought or make your own.
  • Chicken broth – this is a thin substance that will add more flavor compared to chicken stock.
  • Diced tomatoes – great blend of flavor and tomatoes with a little heat.
  • Tomato sauce – add in tomato flavor with herbs and delicious seasoning to your rice.
  • Salt and Pepper – great for taste!
  • Cheese – you can shred your cheese or purchase it already shredded to save you time.
Rice, beef, beans, and tomatoes with spices in a skillet



What is the Difference Between Spanish Rice and Mexican Rice?

Mexican and Spanish rice only have a few differences! Spanish rice is known to be firmer, stronger aroma, and usually is added to dishes that cook for a longer time frame. The seasoning is more of a southwestern style rice.

Mexican rice is softer, has a milder aroma, and is known to be more delicate. Mexican rice is usually made with tomato sauce that gives it that orange coloring. It also uses more saffron or cumin giving it other tints of brown or yellow in the rice. Here is an easy Mexican rice recipe that our family loves!

A scoop of rice, beans, and veggies topped with melted cheese

Substitutions and Additions for Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet

As mentioned above, there are SO many variations you can make from this beef and rice recipe. Consider this a “base” recipe and then go crazy!

  • You can add corn, pinto beans, refried beans, carrots, peas, and/or bell peppers to give it more of a Southwestern flare.
  • You can even add some corn chips to the top to make it like a Southwestern Rice Bowl.
  • If you want less of a Southwestern-y flare, you can swap out the tomatoes and chiles (aka Rotel) for some petite diced tomatoes.
  • Add in chilis, chili powder, or cloves garlic to add more flavoring!
  • Create enchiladas, burritos, tacos, or rice bowls using this Spanish rice as a base.
  • Top this easy Spanish Rice with cheddar, pepper jack, or Monterrey cheese. Use whatever you have on hand!
Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet topped with cheese and cilantro

Recipe Tips

  • Make sure there is enough liquid in the pan so the rice doesn’t stick to the pan.
  • Constantly stirring the large skillet with the ingredients to make sure it is cooked evenly.
  • Do not pre-cook the rice. The rice will cook in the skillet with the liquid and will absorb all the liquid and even the flavors from other ingredients.

“The easiest meal to make for a busy night! The whole family devoured it!”

-Suzy

Frequently Asked Questions for Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet

What goes well with Mexican Beef and Rice?

You can switch up the beef in this recipe with protein like chicken, ground pork or shrimp. Add in grilled vegetables, mushrooms, or using it as a side dish with chips and salsa.

Can you spaghetti sauce instead of tomato sauce?

Yes! Spaghetti sauce can add more flavor and even a bit more spice to this mild rice recipe. It’s all about preference.

Which topping ingredients are best for this skillet meal?

I love to add lettuce, bell peppers, more chopped onions, cilantro, and chilis for an extra kick.

Can you store Mexican Beef and Rice?

Yes! Store the rice dinner in an airtight container in the fridge for 5 to 6 days. Reheat in the microwave for a few minutes at a time or on the stove top at medium high heat until warmed through.

Can you freeze this Mexican Beef and Rice skillet?

Yes, simply add the rice dinner to an airtight container for 4 to 6 months in the freezer. When ready to reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat in the microwave or stove top.

Can you use instant rice instead of long grain rice?

No, unfortunately not. Long-grain white rice is the best rice for this and will cook easily in this one pot meal.

READ MORE: Easy Ground Beef Recipes

Gluten Free Recipe

Guess what? This easy beef and rice meal is completely gluten free! Just make sure your taco seasoning is gluten free. You don’t need to make any special substitutions or anything. Make it as-is and you are good to go. Even if you make additions like corn, beans, or corn chips, it will STILL be gluten free.

Easy Rice Recipes to Try

Rice is the perfect side dish to add for any dinner. It is light, fluffy, and so easy to make!

How to Make Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet

Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet topped with cheese and cilantro

Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet

5 from 9 votes
Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet is an easy, delicious one pot meal for any night of the week. Have dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Mexican/Spanish
Servings 6

Video

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a large, deep walled skillet, cook onions and beef together over medium-high heat until beef is browned. 
    Ground hamburger meat and onions cooking in a skillet
  • Add rice and taco seasoning, and cook an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly so the rice doesn't stick to the pan.
    Beef, rice, onions, rice, and spices in a skillet
  • Add chicken broth, beans, tomatoes with chiles, and tomato sauce. Stir well to combine. Bring to a boil, cover with lid, and reduce heat to low. 
    A large pan full of veggies, meat, and broth
  • Lightly simmer for 20 minutes, keeping the lid in place. Remove lid and fluff rice with a fork. Season with salt and pepper.
    Rice, beef, beans, and tomatoes with spices in a skillet
  • Top with cheese, then cover again for another 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve.
    Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet topped with cheese and cilantro

Notes

How to Store Spanish Rice Leftovers 

  • Store the rice dinner in an airtight container in the fridge for 5 to 6 days. Reheat in the microwave for a few minutes at a time or on the stove top at medium high heat until warmed through.
  • To freeze, simply add the rice dinner to an air tight container for 4 to 6 months.
  • I love to add lettuce, bell peppers, more chopped onions, cilantro, and chilis for an extra kick.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 413kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 30gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 466mgPotassium: 852mgFiber: 7gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 490IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 195mgIron: 4mg

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About the author

Erica Walker

Erica lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, Jared, an attorney, and her three beautiful girls. Beyond the world of recipes, she loves adventuring with everything from kayaking, to cruising, to snowboarding and taking the family along for the thrill ride.

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Comments

  1. Does this freeze well? I am on my own and looking for freezer type meals, getting lazy in my older years, cook once eat 4 times!

  2. Thanks for this! I added corn, black beans, and a packet of taco seasoning. My 7-year-old couldn’t get enough!

    1. We just have an 8-quart Instant Pot and I am sure it would work just fine in that. Hope this helps!