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Budget Beef and Bean Taco Skillet

Mexican

Budget Beef and Bean Taco Skillet

Ground beef, black beans, rice, tomatoes, corn, and taco spices cook together in one skillet for a hearty family dinner made with affordable pantry staples. It is filling, easy to customize, and makes excellent leftovers.

By Core Pantry ·

Total
40 min
Servings
6
Difficulty
easy
Cuisine
Mexican

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Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1/2 cup salsa
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, optional
  • Lime wedges, for serving

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Instructions

  1. Heat a large deep skillet with a fitted lid over medium-high heat.

  2. Add the ground beef and diced onion.

  3. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking the beef into small crumbles, until the beef is browned and the onion has softened.

  4. Drain excess grease if necessary.

  5. Add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper.

  6. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until the spices are fragrant.

  7. Stir in the uncooked rice, black beans, diced tomatoes with their juices, corn, beef broth, and salsa.

  8. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

  9. Reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet.

  10. Simmer for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.

  11. Stir the mixture gently and check the rice for doneness. If needed, add a small splash of broth and cook for another few minutes.

  12. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top.

  13. Cover for 2 to 3 minutes, until the cheese melts.

  14. Remove from the heat.

  15. Garnish with green onions, cilantro, and lime wedges before serving.

  16. Recipe Notes:

  17. Rice varieties absorb liquid differently, so check the skillet toward the end of cooking and add a small amount of broth if necessary. For freezing, cool completely before transferring portions to freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

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