Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb Ground Beef (80/20 or lean)
- 1.5 cups Long-Grain White Rice (uncooked)
- 1 medium Yellow Onion, diced
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 3 cups Beef Broth (or 3 cups water + beef bouillon)
- 1 cup Frozen Peas and Carrots
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- Salt and Black Pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil (if using extra lean beef)
Instructions
- Place a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion to the pan. Use a wooden spoon to break the meat into small crumbles as it cooks. Sauté until the beef is fully browned and the onions are translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the pan to keep the dish light, but leave about a tablespoon for flavor. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 60 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the uncooked white rice directly into the skillet with the beef and onions. Stir the rice constantly for 2 minutes. This “toasting” step coats the grains in the beef fat and prevents them from becoming mushy later. Sprinkle in the smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and pour in the Worcestershire sauce. Mix well so the rice is evenly coated with the spices.
- Pour the beef broth into the skillet and stir to scrape up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the liquid to a rolling boil. Once boiling, turn the heat down to low and cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid. Let the mixture simmer undisturbed for 15 to 18 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this time, as the steam is essential for making the rice fluffy.
- Once the liquid is fully absorbed and the rice is tender, remove the skillet from the heat. Quickly stir in the frozen peas and carrots. The residual heat from the rice will steam the frozen vegetables to perfection in about 2 minutes without overcooking them. Use a fork to fluff the rice, mixing the vegetables and beef thoroughly. Season with additional salt or pepper if needed.
- Scoop generous portions of the beef and rice into bowls. This dish is a complete meal on its own, but you can garnish it with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or a dash of hot sauce if you have some on hand. Serve immediately while hot and fluffy.
- Cook Time: 35 minutes