Low Carb Burrito Bowl (Printable version)

Seasoned ground beef with cauliflower rice, fresh vegetables, and creamy toppings in a low-carb Mexican-inspired bowl.

# What You Need:

→ Seasoned Beef

01 - 1 pound ground beef, 85% lean
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 small yellow onion, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
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
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

# Step-by-step guide:

01 - In a small bowl, combine chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. 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. Add diced onion and sauté for 3 minutes until translucent.
03 - Stir minced garlic and diced red bell pepper into the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes until softened.
04 - Push vegetables to one side of the skillet. Add ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes until browned with no pink remaining.
05 - Sprinkle prepared taco seasoning over beef and vegetables. Stir well to coat evenly and cook for 2 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 but not mushy. Keep warm.
07 - Divide shredded romaine lettuce evenly among four serving bowls. Top each portion with seasoned beef mixture.
08 - Spoon cauliflower rice beside or under the beef mixture in each bowl.
09 - Top 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 with lime wedges on the side. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the bowl before eating for brightness and tangy flavor.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes like indulgence but keeps you steady all afternoon, no sugar crash in sight.
  • Everything comes together in under 40 minutes, making it a real weeknight lifesaver when you're hungry now.
  • You can prep components ahead and mix and match toppings based on whatever's in your fridge that day.
02 -
  • Don't skip browning the beef properly; this is where the flavor lives, and it takes time to build that golden-brown crust.
  • Overcooking cauliflower rice turns it into mush, so pull it off heat while it still has a tiny bit of firmness.
  • Assemble right before eating if you want crisp lettuce; if you're meal prepping, keep components separate and combine just before serving.
03 -
  • Cast iron holds heat better than nonstick and gets you a better brown on the beef; if you use it, let it preheat longer.
  • A squeeze of lime right before eating transforms the whole bowl, brightening every flavor, so don't skip this step.
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