Our Hamburger Rice Recipe is made with savory ground beef, fluffy white rice, shallots, colorful bell pepper and cabbage in a savory sauce, all in one skillet.
This dish is for you if you're a busy parent or just craving a comforting dish without the fuss.
This recipe was inspired by my son's pre-workout. It's satisfying, light, and eventually became a family favorite for lunch and dinner... a total win.
It pairs well with roasted vegetables like Crispy Oven Roasted Broccolini. For a heartier dish, serve it alongside a protein of your choice - crispy chicken thighs, London Broil, or Panko Chicken Breast are great options. The possibilities are endless; so however, you choose to enjoy this quick and easy hamburger rice dish, I guarantee it will hit the spot.
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Ingredients
This recipe calls for ingredients you may already have on hand. You'll need:
- Avocado oil (grapeseed or extra virgin olive oil will work too)
- Ground beef
- White rice
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Kosher salt
- Parsley (optional)
- Shallot (or yellow or sweet onion)
- Red bell pepper (yellow or orange will work too)
- Lime
- Beef broth
- Low-sodium soy sauce
- Shredded coleslaw or cabbage
- Green onion
Ingredient Notes
The shredded cabbage not only adds texture, but also requires no cooking or stir-frying. By simply adding it to the dish, the residual heat will wilt it down, providing the perfect crunch.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Hamburger Rice
Now, let's dive into the simple steps to making this simple weeknight dinner recipe. From browning the ground beef to sauteing the ingredients to adding the savory sauce which brings everything together.
- First, start out by steaming white rice
- Brown the ground beef
- Add chopped vegetables and toss in the seasoning
- Mix all the ingredients together
- Toss in the cooked rice and cabbage and gently stir until all the ingredients are combined.
- Then, pour in the sauce and gently stir until all the ingredients are combined.
Add-ins
You can customize this recipe by adding other veggies like frozen peas and carrots. For a twist, you can also incorporate a scramble egg similar to fried rice.
Substitutions
Ground beef can easily be substituted for ground chicken or turkey in this recipe. Regardless of your choice of meat, I recommend aiming for 85% lean and 15% fat ratio. This ensures flavorful meat that will elevate your dish.
Shallots can be substituted for yellow or sweet onion if that's what you have on hand.
Although yellow, orange, and green bell peppers can be substituted for red, I personally favor red for their subtle sweetness.
We prefer long grain white rice, Jasmine or Basmati, but if that's not your thing, you can opt for brown. Keep in mind that brown rice will require more liquid and a longer cooking time compared to white rice.
Equipment
For this recipe I used a stainless steel skillet but feel free to use whatever you have on hand. A Dutch oven, cast iron skillet, or braiser all work well when making this hamburger rice recipe.
The key is to use a heavy bottom pan that can evenly distribute heat for optimal cooking results.
Store and Reheat
Store
To store any leftovers, simply place in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid and store in the fridge for up to 3 days for optimal freshness.
Reheat
For reheating, wrap the leftovers in foil and place in a preheated oven set to 375 degrees. Heat until warmed throughout and enjoy.
Top Tips
- Prep ahead by measuring out the ingredients and chopping the vegetables to streamline the cooking process.
- Aim for ground meat with an 85% lean and 15% fat ratio (or 80% lean and 20% fat ratio) for the most flavorful meat.
- Feel free to customize the seasoning and sauce to suite your taste buds.
- Experiment with different types of rice (I also love Jasmine and Basmati).
- Feel free to swap out vegetables with what you may already have on hand.
FAQs
Sure can. Keep in mind that brown rice requires more liquid (refer to the instructions on the packaging) and has a longer cooking time compared to white rice.
Yes, you can. Although this recipe calls for ground beef, you can use ground turkey, chicken, or pork. Ground turkey and chicken are naturally more bland compared to ground beef, so I suggest that you do not skimp on the seasoning. Before adding your other ingredients, do a taste test to see if you need to add any additional seasoning or kosher salt.
Of course. Follow the instructions then allow it to cool. Then, store in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid and place in the fridge for up to 3 days for optimal freshness.
Related Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
The BEST Cajun Red Beans and Rice
Pairing
For a complete lunch or dinner experience, you can also pair this recipe with a crisp and refreshing salad. Try our Fresh Spring Mix Salad or Simple Italian Cucumber Salad for a tasty combo.
📖 Recipe
Simple One Skillet Hamburger Rice Recipe
Simple One Skillet Hamburger Rice RecipeEquipment
- 1 Skillet Braiser, cast iron skillet, or any heavy bottom pan
- 1 Knife
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 measuring cup
- 1 large spoon
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground beef
- 3 cups Long grain white rice (Jasmine or Basmati rice are great options too. Rice is measured using a rice measuring cup. )
- ½ tablespoon Garlic powder
- ½ tablespoon Onion powder
- ½ tablespoon Kosher salt
- ½ tablespoon Parsley (Optional)
- 1 whole Shallot (Or, ½ small onion. Yellow or sweet onion works great too.)
- 1 whole Red bell pepper (Yellow or orange will work too)
- 1 whole Lime
- ¼ cup Beef broth
- ¾ cup Low-sodium soy sauce
- 5 cups Shredded coleslaw or cabbage
- ¼ cup Green onion (preferably the green part)
- 2 tablespoon Avocado oil (grapeseed or extra virgin olive oil will work also)
Instructions
- Start by making your rice first. I use a rice cooker but feel free to make your rice on the stove top if that's what you prefer. Set aside.
- Finely chop the shallot (or onion) and red bell pepper. Slice the green onions thinly. I tend to use only the green parts for this recipe. Set aside. Use a measuring up to measure out the soy sauce and beef broth to make the sauce. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the avocado oil when it begins to shimmer, add the ground beef. Cook until browned and no longer pink, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks.
- Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and dried parsley over the cooked ground beef. Stir well to evenly distribute the seasoning. Add the chopped shallot (or onion) to the skillet with the seasoned ground beef. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Turn off heat.
- Toss in the cooked white rice and stir to combine with the meat and vegetables. Then, stir in the shredded coleslaw or cabbage.
- Pour in the beef broth and low-sodium soy sauce, stirring well to combine. Squeeze the juice of half a lime over the rice and meat mixture.
- Sprinkle sliced green onions over the top of the dish for added freshness and color. Serve hot and enjoy.
Notes
- Prep ahead by measuring out the ingredients and chopping the vegetables to streamline the cooking process.
- Aim for ground meat with an 85% lean and 15% fat ratio (or 80% lean and 20% fat ratio) for the most flavorful meat.
- Feel free to customize the seasoning and sauce to suite your taste buds.
- Experiment with different types of rice (I also love Jasmine and Basmati).
- Feel free to swap out vegetables with what you may already have on hand.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. For the most accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information using the specific ingredients and brands you use.
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