Name: Taco Rice Skillet Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Tex-Mex / American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey); 1 tablespoon olive oil (if needed); 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tablespoons homemade blend); 1 cup uncooked long-grain rice; 2 1/2 cups chicken broth (or beef broth); 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (with juices); 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained; 1 cup frozen corn (optional); 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese; Toppings: sour cream, salsa, jalapeños, avocado, cilantro

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If you’re on the hunt for a hearty, flavor-packed dinner that comes together in a single pan, look no further than this Taco Rice Skillet. It’s everything you love about taco night — zesty seasoned meat, fluffy rice, melty cheese, and plenty of colorful toppings — transformed into a downright irresistible weeknight skillet meal. Bursting with Tex-Mex flair and ready in just 30 minutes, this dish has quickly become a family favorite at our table, and I’m sure it’ll earn a spot in your regular dinner rotation, too!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Taco Rice Skillet is in its simple but perfectly chosen ingredients. Each one plays an important role, adding flavor, texture, or a pop of color that brings everything together into a crave-worthy meal. Here’s what you’ll need and why:

Ground beef (or ground turkey): The savory, protein-packed base that gives the dish its classic taco flavor, but you can lighten things up by swapping in ground turkey or chicken.
Olive oil (if needed): A dash helps brown leaner meats or keeps things from sticking if your skillet needs a little extra love.
Taco seasoning (packet or homemade): The magical blend that infuses the whole skillet with bold, smoky, and spicy notes—pure taco goodness in every bite.
Uncooked long-grain rice: Rice soaks up all the flavors and becomes deliciously tender, making this meal filling and satisfying.
Chicken broth (or beef broth): Adds depth and ensures the rice cooks up moist and flavorful, not bland or dry.
Diced tomatoes (with juices): Brings a touch of acidity and moisture, balancing the richness of the cheese and beef.
Black beans: A Tex-Mex classic, these beans add a boost of protein and a creamy, hearty texture.
Frozen corn (optional): Corn pops with juicy sweetness and sunny color—just toss it in straight from the freezer.
Shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese: Cheesy magic—melts over everything for that irresistible, bubbly topping.
Toppings (sour cream, salsa, jalapeños, avocado, cilantro): Finish your Taco Rice Skillet with your favorite taco fixings for flavor and freshness galore!

How to Make Taco Rice Skillet

Step 1: Brown the Beef

Begin by heating a large skillet over medium heat. Add your ground beef (or turkey), and cook it, breaking it up into small crumbles as you go. You want it to become beautifully browned for that extra layer of flavor. If you’re using extra-lean meat, drizzle in a touch of olive oil to help things along. Once browned, drain any excess grease to keep your Taco Rice Skillet from getting too heavy.

Step 2: Add Seasonings and Goodies

Sprinkle the taco seasoning evenly over the meat, then pour in your uncooked rice, the chicken or beef broth, diced tomatoes (don’t forget the juices!), black beans, and frozen corn if you’re using it. Give everything a good stir so the ingredients are well combined—this is what’s going to infuse every grain of rice and bean with that signature Tex-Mex flavor.

Step 3: Simmer and Steam

Turn up the heat and bring the skillet to a boil, then immediately drop the heat to low. Cover the skillet tightly (a lid or even foil works), and let it all simmer for 18 to 20 minutes. The rice will gently soak up all those flavors, and the beans will become wonderfully tender. You’ll know it’s ready when the rice is soft and most of the liquid has disappeared.

Step 4: Melt the Cheese

Take the skillet off the heat and stir in about a cup of your shredded cheese, letting it get melty and creamy throughout the mixture. Sprinkle the rest on top, then cover the skillet again for just a couple more minutes. The cheese melts into a gorgeous, gooey topping—that’s when you know your Taco Rice Skillet is just about ready to wow everyone at the table.

Step 5: Toppings and Serve

Once your cheese is perfectly melty, it’s time for the fun part: toppings! Scoop generous servings onto plates or bowls and let everyone customize with sour cream, a spoonful of salsa, a sprinkle of jalapeños for heat, creamy avocado, or bright cilantro. Dinner is served—and guaranteed to be devoured.

How to Serve Taco Rice Skillet

Garnishes

Your Taco Rice Skillet is the ultimate canvas for creativity, and the right toppings make all the difference! A dollop of sour cream adds cool creaminess, fresh cilantro gives a pop of color and zest, and sliced jalapeños bring a gentle (or fiery!) kick. Try diced avocado for rich smoothness or a spoonful of salsa for extra zing—taco night never looked so good!

Side Dishes

If you want to turn your Taco Rice Skillet into a full-on fiesta, pair it with crunchy tortilla chips, a fresh green salad with a limey vinaigrette, or even charred street corn. A side of refried beans or roasted veggies also rounds things out nicely, soaking up every last bit of saucy goodness.

Creative Ways to Present

While it’s delicious scooped right out of the skillet, you can have fun with the presentation, too. Stuff the cheesy rice into taco shells or crisped tortillas for hand-held treats, pile it onto a bed of salad greens for a taco salad twist, or fill bell pepper halves and bake briefly for a colorful, make-ahead meal. However you serve it, this Taco Rice Skillet loves a little improvisation!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Thankfully, Taco Rice Skillet makes some of the best leftovers around! Let any remaining skillet cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container. It’ll keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days, perfect for a quick lunch or a stress-free second dinner. The flavors actually meld and deepen overnight, so it’s still delicious the next day.

Freezing

If you’d like to stock your freezer, Taco Rice Skillet is a total winner. Portion cooled servings into freezer-safe containers, leaving a little room for expansion. It’ll keep well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating—or zap in the microwave directly from frozen, stirring occasionally for even heat.

Reheating

When you’re ready to revisit those cozy, cheesy flavors, simply reheat portions in the microwave (cover with a damp paper towel for best texture) or rewarm gently in a skillet with a splash of broth. Add fresh toppings to revive the colors and textures, and it’ll taste just as fabulous as the day you made it!

FAQs

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Absolutely! Brown rice brings a nutty flavor and extra fiber, but you’ll want to add an extra 1/2 cup of broth and increase the simmering time until the rice is truly tender, which may take another 10 to 15 minutes.

Is Taco Rice Skillet gluten-free?

Yes, Taco Rice Skillet can easily fit a gluten-free diet if you make sure to use a gluten-free taco seasoning and check the labels on your broth and beans. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free!

How can I make this vegetarian?

No problem—just skip the ground beef and bump up the beans (try adding pinto or kidney beans, too) for plenty of hearty texture. Swap the broth for vegetable broth, and you’re all set for a meatless meal.

Can I make Taco Rice Skillet ahead of time for meal prep?

This recipe is perfect for meal prep! Make the full skillet, let it cool, and portion it into lidded containers. It reheats beautifully, and you can freshen things up with toppings right before serving.

What’s the best cheese for this dish?

Both cheddar and a Mexican blend cheese melt beautifully and bring classic flavor, but you can play around with Monterey Jack or even pepper Jack for a little heat. If you’re dairy-free, shredded plant-based cheeses work well, too.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been craving a quick, crowd-pleasing meal that delivers big flavor and even bigger comfort, give this Taco Rice Skillet a spot in your dinner lineup. It’s one of those magical recipes that’s just as fun to make as it is to eat, and it’s sure to keep everyone at the table smiling. Can’t wait for you to try it and make it your own!