Print

Crispy Chile Ground Beef and Cauliflower Protein Bowls Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 73 reviews

These Crispy Chile Ground Beef and Cauliflower Protein Bowls are a flavorful, high-protein meal featuring spiced ground beef crisply cooked in a skillet, paired with zesty cauliflower rice and fresh, crunchy vegetables. Topped with a tangy yogurt-lime drizzle, this vibrant bowl offers a perfect balance of smoky, spicy, and fresh flavors ideal for a quick, healthy dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Beef

  • 1 lb lean ground beef (90–93%)
  • 1 tablespoon olive or avocado oil (as needed)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4–1/2 teaspoon chipotle or cayenne (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

For the Cauliflower Rice

  • 4 cups riced cauliflower (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

Vegetables & Toppings

  • 1 cup shredded red cabbage
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion (or quick pickled)
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  • Lime wedges

For the Yogurt-Lime Drizzle

  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest
  • 1/2–1 teaspoon hot sauce or pinch chipotle powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Warm water to thin

Instructions

  1. Make the yogurt-lime drizzle: In a bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, lime juice, lime zest, hot sauce or chipotle powder, and salt. Gradually add 1 to 2 teaspoons of warm water to thin the mixture to a drizzleable consistency. Chill the drizzle while preparing the rest of the meal.
  2. Crisp the ground beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add a small swirl of oil to coat the pan. Crumble the ground beef into the skillet and press it into an even layer. Sprinkle with kosher salt and black pepper. Let the beef cook undisturbed for 3 to 4 minutes to allow deep browning and crisp edges. Then, break it up into medium-sized crumbles and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes until well browned and crispy on some edges.
  3. Season and glaze the beef: Reduce heat to medium. Stir in chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and chipotle or cayenne pepper if using. Toast the spices with the beef for about 30 seconds. Add tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to develop flavor. Stir in lime juice and apple cider vinegar to brighten the mixture and loosen browned bits on the skillet. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Keep the beef warm.
  4. Cook the cauliflower rice: In a second skillet heated over medium-high, add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add minced garlic and sauté for 15 seconds until fragrant. Add the cauliflower rice and sprinkle with kosher salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 5 minutes if using fresh cauliflower rice, or 5 to 7 minutes if frozen, until the cauliflower is tender with a few toasted spots. Remove from heat and stir in lime juice and chopped cilantro.
  5. Assemble the bowls: Divide the cooked cauliflower rice evenly among four bowls. Top each bowl with a portion of the crispy chile ground beef. Add shredded red cabbage, diced red bell pepper, sliced avocado, and thinly sliced or pickled red onion. Drizzle generously with the chilled yogurt-lime sauce. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side.

Notes

  • Use lean ground beef (90–93%) to get crispy edges without too much fat.
  • Adjust the spice level by varying chipotle or cayenne powder to your preference.
  • Fresh cauliflower rice cooks faster and has a nicer texture, but frozen works well too—just account for extra cooking time.
  • For a quick pickled onion topping, soak thinly sliced red onion in lime juice and a pinch of salt for 10 minutes.
  • If you prefer a dairy-free drizzle, try a coconut yogurt alternative with lime juice and chipotle powder.
  • This recipe is easily doubled or halved depending on serving size.

Keywords: ground beef bowl, cauliflower rice, protein bowl, crispy beef, healthy dinner, keto bowl, low carb recipe, mexican flavors

Find it online: https://cookwithruby.com/crispy-chile-ground-beef-and-cauliflower-protein-bowls-recipe/