Minced Beef Fajita Bowl (Fast, Flexible, Big Flavour)

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.

Ingredients for the fajita bowls

***Full recipe with detailed quantities in the recipe card below***

A wooden board displays labelled ingredients for making beef fajita bowls, including minced beef, rice, vegetables, spices, oil, cheese, salsa, avocado, soured cream and hot sauce.

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.

A close up of mince beef fajita bowl filled with seasoned minced beef, sliced peppers, white rice, avocado, grated cheese, soured cream, salsa, red onion, lime wedges, and fresh coriander.

Pin this now to find it later

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:

A minced beef fajita bowl with white rice, grated cheese, sliced red onion, peppers, avocado, lime wedges, soured cream, salsa and coriander, served with a spoon.

Crunchy lettuce, white onion, cucumber, carrot sticks, tomatoes, pickled jalapenos and gherkins make great raw toppings.

Watch how to make it

Rice, Minced Beef and Peppers

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

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 information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

This minced beef fajita bowl was first posted in Dec 2025.

More Tex Mex Inspired Dinners

Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links – which means if you buy the product I get a small commission (at no extra cost to you). If you do buy, then thank you! That’s what helps us to keep Kitchen Sanctuary running. The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors. For more information please see our Terms & Conditions.

Trending Products