Prep: 10 mins | Cook: 10 mins | Total: 20 mins
Serves: 4 | Best for: busy weeknights + meal prep

If you want a dinner that’s fast, filling, and easy to customize, this ground beef burrito bowl is the kind of recipe you’ll make on repeat. It has everything you love about a burrito—seasoned beef, rice, beans, and toppings—but in a bowl that’s easier to build, easier to portion, and perfect for meal prep.

This is also one of those “save-the-day” recipes. On nights when you don’t want to think, you can cook the beef once, heat your rice, open a can of beans, and let everyone top their bowl the way they like. Some people want extra salsa, others want cheese and sour cream, and someone always wants more lime. It’s flexible, family-friendly, and it doesn’t require fancy ingredients.

Looking for more quick weeknight dinners? Check my Best Ground Beef Recipes for Easy Weeknight Dinners hub.
Best Ground Beef Recipes for Easy Weeknight Dinners

Why You’ll Love This Burrito Bowl

• Ready in about 20 minutes
• Great for meal prep and leftovers
• Budget-friendly and filling
• Easy to customize with toppings
• Works with simple pantry ingredients

Quick Tips Before You Start

These small tips make the bowl taste better and reheat better:

• Use 80/20 ground beef for the juiciest flavor. If you use lean beef, add a small splash of broth when reheating.
• Simmer the seasoning with a little water (or broth) for 2–3 minutes. This keeps the beef moist and helps the spices blend into a “saucy” coating instead of dry crumbles.
• For meal prep, keep fresh toppings separate (lettuce, tomatoes, avocado). Add them after reheating so they stay crisp.
• If you’re short on time, use store-bought salsa and frozen corn. You’ll still get a great bowl.

Ground Beef Burrito Bowl

A quick and customizable ground beef burrito bowl made with rice, beans, corn, and fresh toppings. Perfect for busy weeknights and easy meal prep.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 4 people

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Mexican

Calories: 580

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the beef

• 1 lb 450–500 g ground beef (80/20 recommended)
• ½ small onion finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tbsp taco seasoning
• ¼ cup water or beef broth
• ½ tsp salt adjust to taste
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp smoked paprika optional

For the bowls

• 2 cups cooked rice white or brown
• 1 can 15 oz black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn canned, frozen, or fresh
• 1 cup salsa

Toppings (optional)

• Shredded lettuce or cabbage
• Diced tomatoes
• Sliced jalapeños
• Avocado or guacamole
• Shredded cheese
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt
• Lime wedges
• Chopped cilantro

Equipment

• 1 Large skillet
• 2 Cutting board
• 3 knife
• 4 Measuring cups
• 5 Spoon or spatula

Method

 

Brown the beef

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until well browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Let it get some color for extra flavor. Drain excess grease if needed.

Add onion and garlic

1. Add the chopped onion and cook for 2 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 20–30 seconds until fragrant.

Season and simmer

1. Add taco seasoning, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika (if using). Pour in the water or broth and simmer for 2–3 minutes until the beef is juicy and well coated.
   

Build the bowls

1. Divide the cooked rice between four bowls. Top with black beans, corn, and the seasoned ground beef.

Add toppings and serve

1. Finish with salsa and your favorite toppings. Squeeze fresh lime on top and garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.

Notes

For best flavor, use 80/20 ground beef. If using lean beef, add a small splash of broth when reheating to keep it juicy.

For meal prep, store the cooked beef, rice, and beans separately from fresh toppings. Add lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, and salsa after reheating.

This burrito bowl is easy to customize. Swap white rice for brown rice or cauliflower rice, and use black or pinto beans based on preference.

Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days in airtight containers.

Topping Combos

• Classic: salsa + cheese + sour cream + lettuce
• Fresh: pico + avocado + lime + cilantro
• Spicy: jalapeños + hot salsa + extra lime
• Meal prep: keep toppings separate, add after reheating

If you like bowl dinners, try my Korean-Inspired Ground Beef Rice Bowl (20-Minute Dinner) next.
Korean-Inspired Ground Beef Rice Bowl (20-Minute Dinner)

Storing and Reheating

Fridge: Store beef, rice, and beans in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Warm beef + rice first, then add fresh toppings after reheating.
Freezer: Freeze cooked beef (alone) up to 2 months for best texture.

External link #1 (only external link):
For official food safety guidance, visit FOOD SAVETY

FAQ

Can I make a ground beef burrito bowl ahead of time?

Yes. Cook the beef and rice, portion into containers, and keep toppings separate. It’s one of the easiest meal prep dinners.

What rice works best?

White rice is classic and reheats well. Brown rice is great too, especially if you want a heartier meal prep option.

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes—season it the same way. It will be lighter, but still flavorful. You may want a splash of broth while reheating to keep it juicy.

How do I keep the beef from drying out?

Simmer the seasoning with water/broth, and reheat with a small splash of water. That’s the biggest trick.

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