Chimichurri Ground Beef Bowls (Printable)

Seasoned ground beef with zesty chimichurri over rice and crisp vegetables

# What You’ll Need:

→ Seasoned Ground Beef

01 - 1 pound ground beef
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
08 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Fresh Chimichurri Sauce

10 - 1 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
11 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
12 - 2 tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped
13 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
14 - 1/2 cup olive oil
15 - 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
16 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
17 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
18 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Bowl Base and Fresh Toppings

19 - 3 cups cooked rice
20 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
21 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
22 - 1 ripe avocado, sliced
23 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
24 - Fresh lime wedges for serving

# Directions:

01 - Combine parsley, cilantro, oregano, garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Whisk thoroughly until emulsified. Set aside at room temperature for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3 minutes until translucent and softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
03 - Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if desired. Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking for 2 minutes to meld spices.
04 - Divide warm cooked rice evenly among 4 serving bowls. Arrange seasoned ground beef over the rice. Top with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, avocado slices, and red onion. Drizzle generously with prepared chimichurri sauce. Garnish with fresh lime wedges and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The chimichurri transforms even the simplest ground beef into something that feels restaurant special
  • Everything comes together in under 40 minutes but tastes like you took your time
  • The fresh, bright flavors make weeknight dinners feel exciting again
02 -
  • The chimichurri tastes even better after sitting for a few hours or overnight
  • Do not cook the herbs in the beef sauce, that brightness needs to stay raw
  • Warm beef and cold vegetables is the contrast you want here
03 -
  • Finely chopping the herbs by hand gives you a better texture than a food processor
  • Let the chimichurri sit at room temperature while the beef cooks
  • Taste and adjust the chimichurri acidity before serving

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