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Using minced beef instead of steak or chicken is a great way to make this fajita bowl recipe more cost effective.
You can be flexible on the toppings too – using whatever fridge leftovers work.
Chopped courgette (zucchini), peas, green beans, mushrooms and celery make great additions to the minced beef. I change it up for whatever I have in the fridge at the time.
Nicky’s Notes
Turns out, minced beef is brilliant for fajita bowls! Crumbly little flavour sponges that catch every bit of fajita spice and chilli. The peppers soften in the pan while the rice steams away, and then it’s just a topping party.
My lot love building their own bowls; the jalapeño lovers go heavy, the more cautious sprinkle cheese and call it a day. I’ve included lots of topping ideas so you can use whatever’s lurking in the fridge.
What makes this so good:
- Budget swap: Minced beef delivers big fajita flavour at a lower cost than steak or chicken.
- Texture play: Hot, spiced mince + tender peppers + crisp, fresh toppings = a bowl with crunch, creaminess and zing in every bite.
- Highly flexible: The toppings are a clear-the-fridge moment—avocado, salsa, pickles, herbs… use what you’ve got.
Table of Contents
📋 Ingredients for the fajita bowls
***Full recipe with detailed quantities in the recipe card below***
Abbreviated Recipe
***Full recipe with detailed steps in the recipe card below***
Cook rice using the absorption method (20 mins). Meanwhile, brown minced beef with salt, pepper, chilli flakes and fajita spice; add sliced peppers and garlic and cook 5 mins. Divide rice between bowls, top with the beef and peppers, then add all of your favourite toppings!
Note on the beef
- I opt for 20% fat mince because it delivers more juiciness and flavour. If you prefer lower-fat mince, it can turn out a touch drier after frying. To counter that, simply add a little oil and then a splash of beef stock for extra moisture.
Smoky-spiced beef, sweet-soft peppers and fluffy rice, finished with creamy, cool hits of soured cream and avocado. Bright lime and coriander lift the whole bowl.
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Pin It🍽️ What to serve it with
This is where you can really make these fajita bowls unique to you. I love to go crazy with the toppings; avocado, red onion, lime, cheese, soured cream, coriander. Other serving suggestions you could try:
Crunchy lettuce, white onion, cucumber, carrot sticks, tomatoes, pickled jalapenos and gherkins make great raw toppings.
📺 Watch how to make it
Minced Beef Fajita Bowl Recipe
Ingredients
Rice, Minced Beef and Peppers
- 200 g (1 cup) uncooked long grain rice
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil (I use avocado oil)
- 500 g (1.1lb) minced beef (ground beef)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon chilli flakes
- 2 tablespoons fajita spice
- 1 red bell pepper deseeded and sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper deseeded and sliced
- 2 cloves garlic peeled and minced
Also:
- 1 avocado de-stoned and cut into small cubes
- 1 small red onion peeled and thinly sliced
- 4 heaped tablespoons salsa
- 4 heaped tablespoons soured cream
- 50 g (1/2 cup) grated cheddar cheese
- 1 lime sliced into half moons
- a Small bunch fresh coriander (cilantro) roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons sriracha or sweet chilli sauce
Instructions
- Pour 360ml (1 ½ cups) water in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Add the rice, stir once and place a lid on the pan. Turn the heat down to its lowest setting and allow to cook for 20 minutes.200 g (1 cup) uncooked long grain rice
- Meanwhile add the oil to a frying pan (skillet) and heat over a high heat.1 tablespoon neutral oil
- Add the minced beef, salt, pepper, chilli flakes and fajita spice.500 g (1.1lb) minced beef (ground beef), ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, ½ teaspoon chilli flakes, 2 tablespoons fajita spice
- Fry for 4-5 minutes, stirring and breaking up any large pieces of mince, until the mince is light brown.
- Add the sliced peppers and garlic, and cook for a further 5 minutes, stirring often. Turn off the heat.1 red bell pepper, 1 yellow bell pepper, 2 cloves garlic
- When the rice is cooked, remove the lid and divide between 4 bowls.
- Top with the cooked minced beef and peppers.
- Arrange the avocado, red onion slices, salsa, soured cream, grated cheese and lime slices in the bowls.1 avocado, 1 small red onion, 4 heaped tablespoons salsa, 4 heaped tablespoons soured cream, 1 lime
- Sprinkle on the coriander and drizzle on the chilli sauce, then serve.50 g (1/2 cup) grated cheddar cheese, a Small bunch fresh coriander (cilantro), 2 tablespoons sriracha or sweet chilli sauce
Video
Notes
Note on the beef
I use 20% fat beef mince in this recipe for more juiciness and flavour. You can use lower fat mince, but it will be a little drier once fried. You can add a little drizzle of oil and a splash of beef stock if you wish to add more moisture.Make it vegetarian
Swap the beef mince for vegetarian mince or very finely diced mushrooms.Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This minced beef fajita bowl was first posted in Dec 2025.
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