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Quick Southwest Ground Beef Skillet in 20 Minutes

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A quick and easy one-skillet dinner made with ground beef, black beans, corn, and southwest spices. Ready in just 20 minutes, this budget-friendly meal is perfect for busy weeknights and uses pantry staples.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 works best)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (only if using lean beef)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chiles (e.g., Rotel)
  • 1 cup frozen corn kernels
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro, diced avocado, lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients first: dice the onion, mince the garlic, drain and rinse the black beans, and measure out your spices.
  2. Heat your skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil if using lean beef. Let the oil shimmer for about 30 seconds.
  3. Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it up into large chunks and let it cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to get a nice brown crust.
  4. Add the diced onion. Stir and continue cooking for 3-4 minutes, breaking the beef into smaller pieces, until the onion softens and becomes translucent.
  5. Add the minced garlic and all the spices. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant and the spices coat the beef.
  6. Pour in the diced tomatoes with green chiles. Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  7. Add the black beans and frozen corn. Stir everything together until well combined.
  8. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook uncovered for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces slightly and flavors meld.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or chili powder if needed.
  10. Remove from heat and let it rest for 2 minutes. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.

Notes

For best flavor, let the spices bloom in the hot pan for 30 seconds before adding liquid. Do not overcrowd the pan if doubling the recipe. Leftovers taste even better the next day. For a thicker consistency, simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes. If using lean ground beef, add a tablespoon of olive oil to prevent dryness.

Nutrition

Keywords: southwest ground beef skillet, quick weeknight dinner, one skillet meal, ground beef recipe, 20 minute dinner, easy dinner, budget friendly, gluten free

Find it online: https://snappyspoon.com/quick-southwest-ground-beef-skillet-in-20-minutes/