Name: Mexican Ground Beef Skillet Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; 1 medium red onion, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 bell peppers or poblano peppers, chopped; 1 pound 85% lean ground beef; 1 package taco seasoning (about 3 tablespoons); 8 ounces tomato sauce; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 4-ounce can green chiles; 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed; 1/2 cup white rice; 1 cup beef or chicken broth; 1/2 cup sliced black olives; 1 cup grated cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend); Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish

Jump to Recipe

Get ready for a dinner with serious wow-factor! This Mexican Ground Beef Skillet is your answer to a hearty, one-pan meal packed with bold flavor, creamy cheese, and vibrant pops of color. It’s loaded with tender beef, colorful veggies, filling rice and beans, and just the right hit of spices. This is the kind of recipe where every forkful feels comforting and fresh at the same time, and I find myself making it over and over because it always disappears fast. If you need something fast, fuss-free, and universally loved on your table tonight, keep reading – this Mexican Ground Beef Skillet never lets me down!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this skillet is in its straightforward, everyday ingredients: each one plays a starring role, whether it’s building big flavor, boosting nutrition, or creating the perfect melty finish on top. Here’s what you’ll need, and a few tips to make every bite even better.

Extra virgin olive oil: Adds a touch of richness and helps the veggies caramelize beautifully for flavor depth.
Red onion (chopped): Brings a gentle sweetness and pretty color to the base of the skillet.
Garlic (minced): Infuses every bite with that irresistible, aromatic punch.
Bell peppers or poblano peppers (chopped): Pick your favorite here – bell peppers keep it mild, while poblanos bring a subtle smokiness.
85% lean ground beef: Gives just enough fat for flavor, but stays balanced and not greasy.
Taco seasoning (about 3 tablespoons): The magic mix that turns simple beef into a flavor-packed fiesta; use homemade or store-bought.
Tomato sauce: Binds everything together with rich, tangy depth.
Tomato paste: Concentrated flavor booster for juicy, savory undertones.
Green chiles (4-ounce can): Adds gentle heat and a little zing without overwhelming the dish.
Black beans (drained and rinsed): Boosts fiber, texture, and hearty satisfaction.
White rice: Cooks up perfectly in the skillet, soaks up all those savory juices, and makes the dish super filling.
Beef or chicken broth: Deepens flavor and helps the rice cook to fluffy perfection.
Sliced black olives: For a little saltiness and umami, plus a retro-taco-night twist I secretly love!
Grated cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend): Melts right on top to crown your skillet in gooey, stretchy deliciousness.
Freshly chopped cilantro for garnish: Adds fresh fragrance and a pop of vibrant green.

How to Make Mexican Ground Beef Skillet

Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables

Start by heating that olive oil in your biggest skillet over medium heat. Add your chopped onion, minced garlic, and bell or poblano peppers — let them sizzle and soften for about 3 to 5 minutes. The goal is to get them just tender and fragrant (but not browned), which will lay a super flavorful foundation for the Mexican Ground Beef Skillet. Once soft, scoot them to one side of the pan so you can brown the meat without steaming it.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

To the empty half of your skillet, tumble in the ground beef. Break it up with a spatula and let it brown, stirring occasionally, until it loses its pink color and develops a little bit of crispy, flavorful edge — about 5 to 7 minutes. The sizzling beef mixed with veggie aromatics is a smell that never gets old!

Step 3: Build the Flavor Base

Once the beef is browned, stir everything in the skillet together so your veggies and meat are best friends. Sprinkle in the taco seasoning, pour over your tomato sauce and tomato paste, and add those green chiles and black beans. Stir well and let everything mingle over the heat for 2 minutes to let the flavors start mingling — this is when the signature taste of a great Mexican Ground Beef Skillet starts to shine.

Step 4: Simmer with Rice and Broth

Time for the big transformation: Add the white rice and your broth (beef for an extra savory kick or chicken for lightness). Stir so everything is evenly combined, then turn the heat up to bring the mixture to a boil. As soon as it’s bubbling, lower the heat and pop a lid on the skillet. Let it gently simmer, covered, for about 12 to 15 minutes until the rice is tender, has absorbed all those spicy juices, and the whole mixture is thick and hearty.

Step 5: Add Olives and Melt the Cheese

Lift the lid and scatter the sliced olives over the top — this adds that little briny punch. Generously sprinkle the grated cheese all over, cover again, and let it melt for a couple more minutes. This is the moment your Mexican Ground Beef Skillet gets irresistibly gooey and ready for a big family scoop!

Step 6: Finish with Fresh Cilantro

Right before serving, shower the skillet with chopped cilantro for a hit of freshness and a beautiful burst of color. That’s it — dig in and enjoy every comforting, cheesy, beefy bite!

How to Serve Mexican Ground Beef Skillet

Mexican Ground Beef Skillet Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

The best part of a Mexican Ground Beef Skillet is putting your own spin on it with the finishing touches. Beyond cilantro, I love adding slices of fresh jalapeño for heat, a dollop of sour cream for cool creaminess, diced avocado or guacamole for richness, and a handful of green onions for crunch. Don’t be shy with the lime wedges — a spritz of fresh citrus wakes everything up beautifully!

Side Dishes

While this skillet can easily be a meal on its own, it pairs like magic with a simple green salad, some warm tortillas, or a basket of crunchy tortilla chips for scooping. Spanish rice or a side of sautéed corn makes the meal even more festive. I even love serving it with quick pickled onions or a side of refried beans if I want to amp up the fiesta vibes.

Creative Ways to Present

Try spooning your Mexican Ground Beef Skillet into crispy taco shells, wrapping it up in burritos, or stuffing it inside bell peppers for a fun twist. It’s also fantastic served on top of baked potatoes or even in lettuce cups for a lighter option. Leftovers make killer quesadillas, nachos, or even a spicy breakfast scramble!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your skillet fresh, transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. It will stay delicious for up to 4 days, making it a lifesaver for quick lunches or dinner later in the week.

Freezing

Mexican Ground Beef Skillet freezes beautifully. Let it cool completely, then portion into freezer-safe containers. The rice, beef, and beans all hold up well, though I recommend adding fresh garnish after reheating. It keeps well in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Reheating

Warm individual servings in the microwave or reheat larger portions on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water to loosen it up if needed. Top with fresh cheese and cilantro after reheating to recapture that just-cooked freshness.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Absolutely! Ground turkey works like a charm in this Mexican Ground Beef Skillet recipe and still soaks up all the vibrant flavors. If you do swap, I recommend adding a touch of extra olive oil to keep things moist and flavorful.

Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Definitely! Replace the ground beef with plant-based crumbles or extra beans and use vegetable broth. You’ll still get the bold, satisfying Mexican flavors in every bite without any meat.

What type of rice should I use?

Stick with standard white rice for best, evenly cooked results in the skillet. Brown rice has a much longer cook time and may not soften up enough unless you adjust the liquid and timing significantly.

Can I add more veggies?

Go for it! Corn, zucchini, or even spinach can all be tossed in — just add them when you sauté the peppers and onions so they soften nicely. The Mexican Ground Beef Skillet is flexible and a great way to use up veggies from your fridge.

Is this dish spicy?

It’s flavorful with a mild heat from the green chiles and taco seasoning, but not overwhelmingly spicy. For more kick, stir in diced jalapeños or a little hot sauce; for less heat, use mild taco seasoning and skip the peppers.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving something easy, hearty, and guaranteed to make everyone happy, I hope you’ll give this Mexican Ground Beef Skillet a try. It’s pure comfort in a pan, simple to customize, and perfect for busy weeknights or casual get-togethers. Enjoy every cheesy, zesty bite!

Mexican Ground Beef Skillet Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 22 reviews

Author: Ethan
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

Print Recipe

Description

This Mexican Ground Beef Skillet is a hearty and flavorful one-pan meal that combines seasoned ground beef, rice, beans, and veggies topped with melted cheese and fresh cilantro. It’s a quick and easy dinner option that the whole family will love.

Instructions

Saute Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and bell peppers. Saute for 3-5 minutes until slightly softened.
Cook Ground Beef: Push the veggies to one side and add the ground beef to the skillet. Break into small pieces and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
Combine Ingredients: Mix everything in the pan, then add taco seasoning, tomato sauce, tomato paste, green chiles, and beans. Stir well and cook for 2 minutes.
Add Rice and Broth: Stir in rice and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Cover and cook for 12-15 minutes until rice is tender.
Finish with Cheese: Uncover, add olives, and sprinkle cheese over the skillet. Cover briefly until cheese melts.
Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Skillet
Cuisine: Mexican