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Quick Garlic Butter Ground Beef and Rice Skillet

garlic butter ground beef and rice skillet - featured image

A quick and easy one-pan meal combining savory garlic butter, ground beef, and fluffy rice, ready in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights and comforting dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20 recommended)
  • 1 cup (190 g) long-grain white rice, rinsed
  • 2 ½ cups (600 ml) beef broth, low sodium
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Mince the garlic cloves finely, dice the onion, and rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear (about 30 seconds). Set aside. (5 minutes)
  2. Heat your skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with your spoon, until browned and no longer pink (about 6-8 minutes). Drain excess fat if desired. (8 minutes)
  3. Push the beef to one side of the skillet. Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the empty side, then toss in the diced onion. Sauté until translucent and soft, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant. (4 minutes)
  4. Stir the beef, onions, and garlic together. Sprinkle smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper evenly over the mixture. Pour in the rinsed rice, stirring well to coat each grain. (2 minutes)
  5. Pour in the beef broth, stirring to combine. Bring the skillet to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover with the lid and let it simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Avoid lifting the lid too often. (20 minutes)
  6. Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter until melted and well incorporated. Taste and adjust salt or pepper as needed. (2 minutes)
  7. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top for color and freshness. Serve warm straight from the skillet. (2 minutes)

Notes

Do not rush browning the beef to develop a nice crust. Add garlic near the end of sautéing onions to prevent burning. Use low sodium broth for better control of salt. Keep the lid closed during simmering to cook rice evenly. If rice is undercooked after 20 minutes, add a splash more broth or water and cover again for 5 more minutes. Butter added at the end creates a rich, glossy finish.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter, ground beef, rice skillet, quick dinner, easy recipe, one-pan meal, weeknight dinner, comfort food