Beef Up Your Rice
One-pan spiced ground beef and rice skillet
40 minutes
Serves 4
DinnerAmerican
Herb's take
Inspired by a global pantry and a nearly empty fridge, this one-pan dinner transforms humble rice and ground beef into a flavor-packed meal. Along the way, you’ll learn the fine art of blooming spices for maximum aroma and how to get perfectly fluffy rice with no fancy gadgets.
Ingredients
Yield
4
Instructions
- 01Heat the oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- 02Add the ground beef. Cook, breaking up with a spatula, until browned and no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- 03Push the beef to one side of the pan. Add paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and chili powder to the empty side. Stir spices in the oil for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- 04Mix the beef with the bloomed spices thoroughly.
- 05Add the uncooked rice to the pan. Stir to coat the grains in the beef and spice mixture.
- 06Pour in 3 cups water. Season generously with salt (start with 1 1/2 teaspoons) and pepper. Stir, scraping any browned bits off the bottom.
- 07Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 18–20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- 08Remove from heat. Let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes to finish steaming.
- 09Fluff with a fork and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot.
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