Chipotle Beef Bowl
Get ready to meet your new weeknight obsession: the Chipotle Beef Bowl. It’s smoky, spicy, savory, and built for piling high with your favorite toppings. Think of it as your own custom burrito bowl—minus the wrap, but packed with bold flavor.
We’re talking juicy ground beef spiced with chipotle chili powder, cumin, and smoky paprika, served over rice (or quinoa, or cauliflower rice—your call), and finished off with all the toppings your heart desires. Whether you’re meal prepping or feeding a hungry crew, this bowl’s got you covered.
It’s quick, satisfying, and totally customizable. Trust me, this one’s about to become a regular in your rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Smoky and bold flavors with just the right kick of heat
- Quick and easy – ready in 30 minutes or less
- Perfect for meal prep or family-style dinners
- Customizable toppings – make it your own every time!
Ingredients
For the Chipotle Beef
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chipotle chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
(Optional base + toppings like rice, black beans, corn, avocado, cheese, sour cream, etc. can be added as desired.)
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Beef
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
Step 2: Spice It Up
Once the beef is mostly cooked, stir in the chipotle chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2–3 minutes to let those spices bloom and coat the beef in smoky deliciousness.
Step 3: Assemble Your Bowl
Spoon the chipotle beef over your base of choice—rice, quinoa, lettuce, you name it. Then layer on your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, avocado slices, corn, beans, salsa, or a dollop of sour cream.
Tips for Topping It Right
- Add lime juice and cilantro for a fresh, zesty finish
- A spoonful of chipotle mayo or crema brings a creamy kick
- Want more veggies? Toss in sautéed peppers or roasted sweet potatoes
- Make it low-carb by using cauliflower rice or a salad base
FAQs
Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely. The chipotle beef keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days and is great for meal prepping.
Is it very spicy?
It has a nice warmth, but not overwhelming heat. You can adjust the spice level by using less chipotle powder or adding a little honey to mellow things out.
What kind of base works best?
White rice, brown rice, quinoa, cauliflower rice, or even a bed of greens—this beef plays well with all of them!
Conclusion
This Chipotle Beef Bowl is everything you want in a fast, flavorful dinner. It’s hearty, a little spicy, and endlessly adaptable. Whether you’re whipping it up for a quick solo lunch or laying out a toppings bar for family taco night, it brings the flavor and the fun.
So go ahead—get that skillet sizzling, throw on your favorite toppings, and build the bowl of your dreams. You’ve got this!
Print
Chipotle Beef Bowl
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Halal
Description
This Chipotle Beef Bowl is a flavor-packed, build-your-own meal bursting with bold, smoky spices, colorful veggies, creamy chipotle crema, and fresh toppings. Perfect for meal prep or customizable weeknight dinners that never get boring!
Ingredients
- For the Chipotle Beef:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp chipotle chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Rice:
- 1 cup jasmine or brown rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 pinch of salt
- For the Sautéed Peppers:
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Chipotle Crema:
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp chipotle sauce
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- Other Ingredients:
- Avocado, sliced or diced
- Corn, fresh or canned
- Tomato, diced
- Shredded cheese
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the rice: In a saucepan, bring water and a pinch of salt to a boil. Add rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15–20 minutes or until water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
- Make the chipotle beef: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat, then stir in chipotle chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2–3 minutes. Set aside.
- Sauté the peppers: In a separate skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add sliced red bell pepper, season with salt and pepper, and cook until tender and slightly charred, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
- Prepare the crema: In a small bowl, mix sour cream, chipotle sauce, and lime juice until smooth. Chill until ready to use.
- Assemble the bowls: In each serving bowl, layer cooked rice, chipotle beef, sautéed peppers, avocado, corn, tomato, and shredded cheese. Drizzle with chipotle crema and garnish with fresh cilantro.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- For a lighter version, use ground turkey or chicken.
- Add black beans or pickled onions for extra flavor and texture.
- Make it dairy-free by using a plant-based sour cream and skipping the cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 390mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: chipotle beef bowl, burrito bowl, spicy beef bowl, chipotle crema, healthy rice bowl
