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Meat, Busy evenings

Spiced ground beef bowl with rice and cucumber

The spiced ground beef bowl with rice and cucumber is a complete meal for 4, ready in 30 minutes, rated very easy, for about €2.70 per person. The key to it is toasting the cumin and paprika in oil before the meat goes in, which brings out their full flavor, while the cucumber and lemony yogurt sauce keep the dish light and fresh.

Tonight, a quick bowl, with ground beef sautéed in spices, rice, fresh veggies, and a yogurt sauce.

Spiced ground beef bowl with rice and cucumber
Total time
30 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€2.70
Calories per person
580 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

This bowl plays on the contrast between warm, spiced ground beef and cool cucumber with grated carrots. Toasting the cumin and paprika in oil first gives the meat real depth without any heat, and the lemony yogurt sauce adds a tangy note that balances everything out. The rice soaks up the juices, so every bite feels generous.

It is the kind of meal Mon Chou suggests for nights when you have neither the time nor the energy to overthink dinner. Everything comes together in one pan for the meat, then gets layered into a bowl, and the mild spices mean kids enjoy it just as much as adults. You can also serve it on a lazy Sunday with extra fresh vegetables on the side.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Ground beef 500 g

Pantry

  • Riceoften in the pantry 250 g
  • Cuminoften in the pantry 2 tsp
  • Sweet paprikaoften in the pantry 2 tsp
  • Sweet chili powderoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Cucumber 1
  • Carrots 3
  • Onion 1
  • Garlic 2 cloves
  • Lemon 1
  • Cilantro 1 bunch

Dairy

  • Plain yogurt 2

Allergens Lactose

The step by step recipe

  1. Cook the rice in salted water, then drain it. 11 min

    Let the rice sit covered for five minutes.

  2. Sauté the sliced onion and garlic in the oil with the spices. 5 min

    Don't let the spices burn, thirty seconds is enough.

  3. Add the ground beef and brown it, breaking it up as it cooks, season with salt and pepper. 8 min

    Let the beef sear undisturbed before breaking it apart.

  4. Mix the yogurt with the lemon juice, chopped cilantro, salt, and pepper.

    Add a touch of grated garlic if you like it stronger.

  5. Grate the carrots, cut the cucumber into half moons, and assemble the bowl with rice, beef, vegetables, and sauce.

    Salt the cucumber and let it sit for five minutes to drain.

Our tips to get it right

  • Drain the rice well and let it sit covered for a few minutes so it stays fluffy instead of clumping in the bowl.
  • Salt the beef only after it has browned, so it stays juicy instead of releasing too much liquid.
  • Make the yogurt sauce first, it has time to develop flavor while you cook everything else.

The variations

  • Swap the ground beef for ground chicken or turkey for a milder tasting version.
  • For a vegetarian version, use cooked red lentils or crumbled tofu sautéed with the same spices.
  • For kids in a hurry, serve the components separately on the plate instead of mixed in a bowl, so they can build their own.

What to serve it with

  • Warm pita bread
  • Mint tea
  • Homemade pickled vegetables

Storage

Store the components separately in sealed containers for up to 2 days in the fridge. The spiced beef freezes well for up to 2 months, but make the cucumber and yogurt sauce fresh right before serving. Reheat the beef and rice in a pan or microwave before assembling the bowl.

Questions about this dish

Can I use a different meat instead of ground beef?

Yes, ground chicken or turkey work well with the same spices. Just watch the cooking time, these meats brown a bit faster than beef.

Can I prep this bowl ahead of time?

You can cook the rice and beef ahead and keep them in the fridge. Make the yogurt sauce and cut the cucumber right before serving to keep everything fresh.

What can replace the sweet chili powder?

A bit of smoked paprika or turmeric gives an interesting alternative flavor. Skip hot chili if you are cooking for kids.

How do I keep the cucumber from making the bowl watery?

Salt the cucumber half moons and let them sit for five minutes before draining. This simple step keeps the bowl from turning soggy.

How long does it take to make a spiced ground beef bowl with rice and cucumber?

Count 30 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a spiced ground beef bowl with rice and cucumber?

About 580 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a spiced ground beef bowl with rice and cucumber cost?

About €2.70 per serving, or €10.80 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains lactose. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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