• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Travel Palate
  • Recipe Index
  • Latest Recipes
  • About Me
  • Meal Plan
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • Latest Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About Me
Text overlay recipe image.
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Latest Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About Me
Text overlay recipe image.
×
Home ≫ Main Dish

Ground Beef Salsa Rice

By Nikole Berg Oct 25, 2024 · Updated: Apr 22, 2025

85 shares
  • Facebook
Pin Recipe Jump to Recipe
Text overlay recipe image.

This ground beef salsa rice is a delicious mix of those satisfying Tex Mex flavors we can't get enough of. This easy recipe is a complete meal you can throw together in one pan. The whole family will ask for this one-skillet dinner again and again and your taco Tuesday will never be the same.

Ground beef salsa rice prepared in a skillet with garnishes.

Email me the recipe!

Enter your email and I'll send it to your inbox!

Plus get all our new recipes too!


We love two things at my house: Mexican flavors and an easy dinner recipe. So when the two come together, like this ground beef salsa rice, we know we have a winning recipe for busy weeknights. 

The name of this dish just about says it all--savory ground beef and rice cooked in a flavorful tomato salsa. You can think of this meal as a cheesy ground beef Spanish rice or maybe a taco rice. Whatever you call it, the entire family is going to gobble it up, even those picky eaters!

It's hard to believe that a dish with a few simple ingredients can taste so good! If you think this recipe sounds delicious try my Ground Turkey Enchilada Skillet next!

Ingredient notes

​This is an overview. Please scroll to the bottom of the post for exact amounts and printable recipe card.

​Ground beef - I like using a lean ground beef so there's less grease to drain off. Ground turkey and ground chicken can also be used.

Taco seasoning - a packet of taco seasoning keeps this simple and easy. I always have my homemade taco seasoning made up and used that. 

Onions and garlic - I always choose yellow onions and fresh garlic cloves.

​Corn - I used frozen corn, but fresh cut corn from the cob or canned corn also works.

Jar of salsa - keeps this recipe easy and quick to make. I like chunky Pace because it has some nice green bell pepper and tomato pieces. You should choose one you know you like since some of the flavor will come from the salsa. If you like Rotel, you can use that too. Canned fire-roasted tomatoes, diced tomatoes, or even tomato sauce can be used as well.

Beef broth - low sodium works best for this recipe especially if you're using packaged taco mix, which has a good amount of salt. You could use chicken broth if you want a lighter taste.

Rice - I used uncooked long grain white rice. I have not tested this with brown rice, so if you use it, you'll need to adjust the cooking time as it will need longer. You could make it separately or use some leftover rice. You will just stir it in, let it simmer for 5 minutes then top with cheese.

Cheddar Cheese - or a Mexican blend, Monterey Jack, 

Optional toppings - sour cream, sliced green onions, chopped fresh cilantro, jalapeños, pico de gallo, sliced black olives, sliced avocado or guacamole. Corn chips like Fritos are also really good. You can serve some tortilla chips on the side.

Ingredients to make the recipe.

Directions

1) Add a little oil or cooking spray to a large (12 inch) non-stick skillet. Brown ground beef over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain off fat if desired.

2) Reduce to medium heat. Add taco seasoning to cooked beef and stir into the meat until combined. Add the chopped onions, garlic, unthawed corn, salsa, and beef broth to the meat mixture. Stir until combined. 

3) Bring mixture to a boil. Once boiling, add uncooked rice. Stir well. Reduce heat to low or simmer and cover pan with a tight fitting lid. Cook for 20 minutes or until rice is tender. Turn off heat, top with shredded cheese and serve when cheese is melted.​ Top with desired garnishes.

Cooking ground beef.
Adding ingredients to the ground beef.
Adding shredded cheese to the cooked rice.
The melted cheese on the rice.

Tips

Be sure you have a large non-stick skillet with a lid for best results.

Serve with your favorite taco toppings like shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, and sliced avocado.

Spread some refried beans on heated burrito sized flour tortillas and add the ground beef salsa rice and roll up. Serve with hot sauce.

​Add a can of drained and rinsed black beans or pinto beans instead of corn.

Try jasmine rice for added flavor.

How to store

Store tightly covered or in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. 

Reheat covered in the microwave at reduced power to prevent the rice from drying out.

Freeze in freezer safe containers or freezer bags for a month or two. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave.

More easy one pan recipes

  • Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Pasta Copycat
  • Turkey Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy
  • Baked Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Noodle Casserole
  • American Chop Suey
The completed meal.

📖 Recipe

Email me the recipe!

Enter your email and I'll send it to your inbox!

Plus get all our new recipes too!

Ground beef salsa rice skillet meal.

Ground Beef Salsa Rice

Recipe by Nikole Berg
Ground Beef Salsa Rice is a simple one pan meal you can put together on a busy weeknight.
No ratings yet
Prevent your screen from going dark
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Mexican/Tex-Mex
Servings 4
Calories 482 kcal

Equipment

12 inch non stick skillet with lid

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 teaspoon oil or cooking spray
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 pkg taco seasoning
  • ¼ cup onion chopped
  • 2 teaspoon garlic minced
  • 1 cup frozen corn canned
  • 16 oz salsa chunky
  • 2 cups beef broth low sodium
  • 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice

Optional toppings:

  • sour cream, black olives, shredded lettuce, sliced avocado, guacamole
US Customary - Metric

Instructions
 

  • Add a little oil or cooking spray to a large (12 inch) non-stick skillet. Brown ground beef over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain off fat if desired.
  • Reduce to medium heat. Add taco seasoning to cooked beef and stir into the meat until combined. Add the chopped onions, garlic, unthawed corn, salsa, and beef broth to the meat mixture. Stir until combined.
  • Bring mixture to a boil. Once boiling, add uncooked rice. Stir well. Reduce heat to low and cover with a tight fitting lid. Cook for 20 minutes. Turn off heat, top with shredded cheese.
  • Once cheese has melted, serve with toppings of choice.

Nutrition

Calories: 482kcalCarbohydrates: 61gProtein: 31gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 74mgSodium: 1976mgPotassium: 916mgFiber: 6gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1367IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 72mgIron: 5mg
Keyword mexican rice, spanish rice, taco seasoning
Tried this recipe?Click here to leave a helpful tip!

more Main Dish recipes

  • Stuffed zucchini with ground beef and melted cheese.
    Stuffed Zucchini with Ground Beef and Rice
  • Greek chicken pasta salad.
    Greek Chicken Pasta Salad
  • Crockpot chicken and rice casserole.
    Easy Crockpot Chicken and Rice Casserole
  • Easy Chicken Dorito Casseorle.
    Easy Chicken Dorito Casserole

About Nikole Berg

Nikole is the creator and photographer behind The Travel Palate, a food and travel blog featuring quick and flavorful recipes and getaway guides. Nikole hopes to inspire your inner foodie whether you're in the kitchen or traveling on your next adventure.

Reader Interactions

Comments

No Comments

Did you make the recipe? Share a tip here! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Text overlay recipe image.
a young lady with a hat on smiling

Welcome! I'm Nikole, the blogger, photographer, and recipe developer dedicated to bringing you recipes that maximize flavor with minimal effort.

More about me →

Trending

  • Stuffed zucchini with ground beef and melted cheese.
  • Greek chicken pasta salad.
  • Crockpot chicken and rice casserole.
  • Easy Chicken Dorito Casseorle.
See more Main Dish →

Footer

Text overlay recipe image.

↑ back to top

About

  • About
  • Privacy Policy

Subscribe

  • Sign Up! for the latest recipes delivered via email

Connect

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

As an Amazon Affiliate I may earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support.

Copyright © 2018-2025 The Travel Palate

All Rights Reserved

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required