The Best, Fastest, Beef and Rice Dinner
Hamburger Rice is the Ultimate Quick Dinner
Hamburger rice is a humble dish, but it is also about as easy and delicious as a quick weeknight meal gets. As its name suggests, at its most basic it consists of ground beef, rice, and little more, which mean it cooks fast; it is one of the few thirty minute meals that actually takes about thirty minutes rather than an hour.
But you can also dress hamburger rice up a million different ways, from sautéing onion with the beef to seasoning it with chili powder and serving it with sour cream and avocado. Try it with kale or spinach, put some grated cheese on top, or just have ketchup or barbecue sauce on the side. You can’t go wrong.
Why I love Hamburger Rice
When I was in elementary school I would go to my grandma’s house every Friday for lunch. She would always make the same dish – long grain white rice, ground beef, and a splash of Worcestershire sauce. I ate it once or twice a week for years without getting bored of it, which is saying something. Whenever I make it I still think about those afternoons spent sitting at her table.
So I can’t claim to be completely objective when it comes to hamburger rice, since it has such fond associations. But that’s kind of the point. Hamburger rice is one of the few dishes that’s easy enough to make whenever you’re short on time and good enough to make over and over again. It should be a part of every family’s collective culinary memory!
Tips and Details
Hopefully I’ve convinced you to give hamburger rice a try. I already mentioned how versatile it is, but I also hope to impress upon you the fact that this is not a recipe that needs to be followed closely. Add more or less rice! Season as you wish! Make a double batch and have leftovers! So long as you retain a base of hamburger and rice you cannot go wrong.
22 comments
You might also add garlic & onion powder for flavor
We sometimes ground beef an gravy over toast or biscuits is very good for breakfast use your favorite gravy or bread !
We sometimes ground beef an gravy over toast or biscuits is very good for breakfast use your favorite gravy or bread !
This was good! I needed a quick easy recipe for ground beef and tried this.
I made this using some “mystery meat” instead of hamburger…I fried 1/2 of a diced onion and 1/2 of a diced green bell pepper with the “mystery meat” and then added the rice…I seasoned it with 1/2 tsp. black pepper…I didn’t want it to be too salty….CJ Imani….
I grew up in a family that always ordered out and never made home cooked meals unless it was something really complicated for a holiday. I’m now living in my own apartment and an discovering that I have absolutely no ability to cook without following a recipe.
I really like this recipe! I thought I could make something similar to Aunt Jane’s beef bowls if I added some sugar snap peas, carrots, and corn, and used a mix of Worcestershire sauce and stir fry sauce from Walmart.
I didn’t end up with the beef bowl I was after, but I did at least end up with something that’s easy to make, reheats well without getting soggy, and can be easily made big enough to last me several days.
Thanks for the heads up, M, You should be able to see it now.
I cooked and enjoyed this recipe, but sadly, I can’t find the recipe on the page anymore.
Would brown rice work with this?
My eldest sister used to make this ; only addition she used was fresh green beans from her garden. It was Always one of my favorite dishes. Made it tonight and added a splash of fish sauce for just a dab more umami taste. Thank you 😊
I make this and add mushroom and a jar of pimento
We have been making this delicious dish for over 40 years, with a slight twist. We put corn, zucchini and yellow squash (cook squash and cut into bite size pieces) and mix all together. I don’t drain the hamburger grease as the rice absorbs it and let’s be honest, the fat majes it taste even better!
This is a great recipe by itself or as a base to create anything with it..looking forward to making this
I tried this recipe. It’s really good
What is the green herb sprinkled on top? Thanks
I would like the recipe please