Description
Taco Rice is a flavorful one-skillet Mexican-inspired dish combining seasoned ground beef or turkey with rice, cheese, and fresh toppings like green onions, cilantro, sour cream, and avocado. It’s a quick and easy meal perfect for weeknights or meal prep, offering cheesy, savory Tex-Mex flavors in a single pot.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning (or 1 packet)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken or beef broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup salsa or diced tomatoes
Garnishes (Optional)
- Chopped green onions
- Cilantro
- Sour cream
- Avocado slices
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef or turkey and cook until browned, breaking up the meat with a spoon for about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until they soften and become fragrant.
- Add Seasoning and Tomato Paste: Stir in taco seasoning and tomato paste, mixing thoroughly to coat the meat evenly with the spices and tomato flavor.
- Toast the Rice: Add the uncooked rice to the skillet and stir for about 1 minute to lightly toast the grains, enhancing their flavor.
- Cook Rice: Pour in the chicken or beef broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer gently for 18–20 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
- Finish with Cheese and Salsa: Remove the skillet from heat and fluff the rice with a fork. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese and salsa or diced tomatoes. Cover and let it sit for 5 minutes to allow the cheese to melt.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the taco rice warm, topped with chopped green onions, fresh cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, and slices of avocado if desired.
Notes
- This one-skillet dish is ideal for easy weeknight dinners and meal prep.
- For a healthier variation, substitute white rice with brown rice, and increase the broth to 2 ½ cups and cooking time to about 40-45 minutes accordingly.
- Use ground turkey for a leaner protein option.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, adding more salsa or cheese if desired.
