Browned ground beef and onion form the base of this taco rice, with black beans, diced tomatoes and taco seasoning in the same pan. The rice cooks in beef broth under a lid, then rests before cheddar is melted over the top.
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Why you will like this recipe
- Beef and onion browned first. Cook the ground beef with onion before stirring in the taco seasoning and rice.
- Rice, beans and tomatoes in one pan. The uncooked rice absorbs beef broth while simmering with black beans and diced tomatoes under a lid.
- Cheddar melted under the lid. After resting and fluffing the rice, scatter the cheese on top and cover briefly to melt it.
Substitutions
Use ground turkey and cook it to 165°F (74°C), or use a plant-based crumble according to its package directions.
Ingredient choices and cooking cues
Long-grain white rice gives this one-pot meal a separate-grained texture beneath the melted cheddar. Rinse it and drain well before adding it. The diced tomatoes contribute liquid as well as flavour, whereas the black beans are drained: confusing those two preparations can upset the moisture balance. Brown rice, quick-cooking rice and standard long-grain white rice do not behave interchangeably in the stated cooking sequence.
Browning the beef and onion builds a savoury base before the rice is covered. Break up large clumps so the meat distributes evenly through the dish, then remove excess fat as directed. Taco seasoning can contain quite different amounts of salt and chilli depending on the brand. Because the broth and cheddar add seasoning too, avoid assuming every blend needs additional salt.
Once the pot is covered, keep the heat low enough for a gentle simmer. A rapid boil can exhaust the liquid near the bottom before the upper grains have softened. The off-heat rest is part of the cooking process: steam continues to settle through the rice, and the mixture becomes easier to fluff. Confirm the beef reaches 160°F (71°C), then add the cheddar so it melts over the finished rice.
Storage and reheating
Cool quickly in shallow portions, ideally within 1 hour, then refrigerate and use within 24 hours. Reheat only once, until steaming hot throughout.
Serving ideas
After the covered rice rest, let the cheddar melt under the lid and divide the dish into six portions. Finish with the optional cilantro and lime wedges at serving.
Recipe card
One-Pot Taco Rice
Ingredients
Method
- Cook the beef and onion in a deep skillet over medium-high heat, breaking up the meat, until no pink remains. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in the taco seasoning and rice. Add tomatoes, beans, and broth. Bring to a boil.
- Cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 18 minutes. Remove from the heat and rest, covered, for 5 minutes.
- Confirm the ground beef has reached at least 160°F (71°C). Fluff the rice, scatter cheese over the top, and cover for 2 minutes to melt. Serve with cilantro and lime.
Estimated nutrition per serving
| Nutrient | Per serving |
|---|---|
| Energy | 404 kcal |
| Protein | 26.2 g |
| Fat | 14.9 g |
| Saturated fat | 6.7 g |
| Carbohydrate (including fiber) | 39.6 g |
| Fiber | 5.1 g |
| Sugar | 2.9 g |
| Sodium | 698 mg |
Estimates are calculated from the ingredient amounts and standard food composition references, divided into the stated number of equal servings. They are not laboratory measurements. Brands, substitutions, optional additions and portion sizes can change the result. Optional toppings, extra side dishes and unspecified added salt are excluded from the base estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the rice still firm after the covered stage?
Heat level, a loose lid and frequent checking can all change how much steam stays in the pot. Check whether liquid remains before deciding what went wrong. Avoid scraping and stirring a dry pot aggressively, which can mix a scorched bottom layer throughout the meal.
Can I use another type of bean?
Drained canned pinto beans are a reasonable flavour match. Choose cooked beans that hold their shape, and drain them as you would the black beans. Dry, uncooked beans cannot replace canned beans in this recipe’s timing or liquid allowance.
More recipes to try: One-Pot Chili Mac and Cheese · Sesame Ground Beef Noodles.
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