Cuban-Inspired Ground Beef and Rice

Name: Cuban-Inspired Ground Beef and Rice (20-Minute)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Cuban-inspired
Ingredients: 1 cup jasmine rice; 2 cups boiling water; 2 tbsp olive oil, divided; 1 tbsp chicken bouillon powder; 1 red bell pepper, diced; 1 white onion, diced; 1 lb ground beef; salt, to taste; black pepper, to taste; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1 tsp paprika; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup chicken stock; 1/2 cup pimento-stuffed green olives, chopped; 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, plus more for garnish

Cuban-inspired ground beef combines seasoned ground beef, sautéed bell peppers, onions, and olives served over fluffy jasmine rice for a complete high-protein meal in just 20 minutes.

🌍Cuban-inspired 🏷️Ground beef 🏷️Picadillo 🏷️20-minute meal 🏷️Weeknight dinner Rice bowl

🏷️

-0:00

thegoldenbalanceonTikTok

Total

20 min

Servings

2

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$31–$51

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by thegoldenbalance

-0:00

thegoldenbalanceonTikTok

Ingredients

1 cup jasmine rice
2 cups boiling water
2 tbsp olive oil, divided
1 tbsp chicken bouillon powder
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 white onion, diced
1 lb ground beef
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chicken stock
1/2 cup pimento-stuffed green olives, choppedoptional
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, plus more for garnish

17 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Measure and rinse the jasmine rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear.
2
In a medium pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the rinsed rice and toast for about a minute, stirring constantly.
3
Stir in the chicken bouillon powder, then pour in 2 cups of boiling water. Bring to a simmer, then cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the water is absorbed.
4
While the rice is cooking, dice the red bell pepper and white onion.
5
Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced pepper and onion and sauté until they begin to soften.
6
Add the ground beef to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Break up the meat with a spoon and cook until browned.
7
Once the beef is almost cooked through, stir in the tomato paste, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook for another 2 minutes, stirring to combine.
8
Mince the garlic cloves and add them to the skillet along with the chicken stock. Stir everything together.
9
Roughly chop the green olives and add them to the beef mixture. Stir to incorporate.
10
Stir in the chopped fresh cilantro.
11
Serve the ground beef mixture over the cooked jasmine rice. Garnish with additional fresh cilantro if desired.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Use chicken bouillon powder to dissolve in boiling water before cooking rice for deeper seasoning throughout the grains.
Brown the ground beef fully and break it into small, uniform pieces for even cooking and better sauce absorption.
Add tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes to remove the raw edge and deepen the savory flavor.
Reserve about 2 tbsp of the olive oil for the final beef mixture to ensure it coats evenly and looks glossy when plated.

Substitutions

Jasmine rice → Long-grain white rice or basmati (same cooking method)
Ground beef → Ground turkey or ground chicken (watch timing; cook slightly longer to ensure doneness)
Red bell pepper → Yellow or orange bell pepper, or diced tomatoes for acidity
Chicken bouillon powder → Beef bouillon or vegetable bouillon cube, crushed

Storage & make-ahead

Store cooked beef and rice separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days; reheat gently in a skillet or microwave and combine just before serving.