Low Carb Burrito Bowl (Printable Version)

Seasoned ground beef with cauliflower rice, crisp vegetables, and creamy toppings finished with fresh lime.

# What You Need:

→ Seasoned Beef

01 - 1 pound ground beef (85% lean)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 small yellow onion, diced (about 1/2 cup)
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 medium red bell pepper, diced (about 1/2 cup)
06 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
07 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
10 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
11 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
12 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
13 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Cauliflower Rice

14 - 2 cups cauliflower rice (fresh or thawed frozen)
15 - 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
16 - Salt to taste

→ Assembly and Garnish

17 - 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
18 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
19 - 1/2 avocado, diced
20 - 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
21 - 2 tablespoons sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
22 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
23 - Lime wedges for serving

# Directions:

01 - In a small bowl, combine chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper if using. Mix thoroughly and set aside.
02 - Heat a large nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and allow it to shimmer for about 1 minute.
03 - Add diced onion to the skillet and sauté for 3 minutes until translucent. Stir in minced garlic and diced red bell pepper, cooking for an additional 2 minutes until softened.
04 - Push vegetables to one side of the skillet. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until browned with no pink remaining.
05 - Sprinkle prepared taco seasoning over beef and vegetables, stirring well to coat evenly. Cook for 2 additional minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
06 - Wipe out half the skillet or use a second pan. Add butter or olive oil over medium heat. Add cauliflower rice, season lightly with salt, and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until tender without becoming mushy. Keep warm.
07 - Divide shredded romaine lettuce evenly among four serving bowls. Top each bowl with an equal portion of the seasoned beef mixture.
08 - Spoon cooked cauliflower rice beside or under the beef in each bowl, distributing evenly.
09 - Garnish each bowl with halved cherry tomatoes, diced avocado, and shredded cheddar cheese. Add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt and sprinkle with chopped cilantro.
10 - Serve bowls immediately with lime wedges on the side. Squeeze fresh lime over each bowl before eating for bright, tangy flavor.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It delivers all the flavor of a burrito without the carb crash, so you feel satisfied instead of sleepy.
  • Everything cooks in one or two pans, which means less cleanup and more time to actually enjoy dinner.
  • You can prep the beef and cauliflower rice ahead, then build fresh bowls in minutes on busy weeknights.
  • The toppings are completely customizable, so picky eaters and spice lovers can both be happy at the same table.
02 -
  • If your cauliflower rice is frozen, thaw it completely and squeeze out excess moisture with a clean kitchen towel, or it will steam instead of sauté and turn mushy.
  • Let the ground beef sit undisturbed for a minute or two before stirring so it develops a golden-brown crust, which adds deeper flavor to the finished bowl.
  • Wait to add salt until after the spices are stirred in, because some spice blends and cheeses already contain sodium and you don't want to over-season.
  • Assemble the bowls just before serving so the lettuce stays crisp and the avocado doesn't brown.
03 -
  • Toast your spices in the hot skillet for 30 seconds before adding the beef to wake up their oils and deepen their flavor.
  • Use a splatter screen when browning the beef to keep your stovetop clean without trapping steam that can prevent browning.
  • If you want a smokier flavor, add a pinch of chipotle powder or a few drops of liquid smoke to the seasoning mix.
  • For extra creaminess, mash half the avocado with a fork and stir in a squeeze of lime and a pinch of salt to make a quick avocado crema.
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