Crispy Chile Ground Beef and Cauliflower Protein Bowls Recipe

Introduction

This Crispy Chile Ground Beef and Cauliflower Protein Bowl is a flavorful, satisfying meal that combines spicy, smoky beef with fresh, zesty cauliflower rice and vibrant toppings. It’s perfect for a nourishing lunch or dinner that’s both low-carb and packed with bold tastes.

Ingredients

• 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
• 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 (for cauliflower rice)
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro (for cauliflower rice)
• 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 (for topping)
• Lime wedges, for serving
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon lime juice (for drizzle)
• 1 teaspoon lime zest
• 1/2–1 teaspoon hot sauce or pinch chipotle powder
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt (for drizzle)
• Warm water to thin yogurt drizzle

Instructions

1. Step 1: Make the yogurt-lime drizzle by whisking together Greek yogurt, lime juice, lime zest, hot sauce or chipotle powder, and salt. Add 1–2 teaspoons of warm water as needed to reach a drizzleable consistency. Chill until ready to serve.
2. Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add a small amount of oil and crumble in the ground beef, pressing it into an even layer. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Let cook undisturbed for 3–4 minutes to develop a deep brown crust, then break into medium pieces and cook 3–4 minutes more until well browned and edges are crisp.
3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium. Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and chipotle or cayenne if using. Toast the spices for about 30 seconds. Add tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Stir in lime juice and apple cider vinegar to loosen browned bits and brighten flavors. Adjust seasoning if needed. Keep warm.
4. Step 4: In a separate skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 15 seconds. Add cauliflower rice and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3–5 minutes if fresh or 5–7 minutes if frozen, until tender with a few toasted spots. Remove from heat and stir in lime juice and chopped cilantro.
5. Step 5: To assemble, divide cauliflower rice evenly among four bowls. Top with crispy chile ground beef, shredded cabbage, diced red bell pepper, sliced avocado, and red onion. Drizzle each bowl with the yogurt-lime sauce, sprinkle with chopped cilantro, and serve with lime wedges on the side.

Tips & Variations

• For extra heat, increase the chipotle or cayenne powder or add a few dashes of hot sauce to the beef mixture.
• Quick-pickle the red onions by soaking thin slices in lime juice and a pinch of salt for 10 minutes to add tangy crunch.
• Swap ground turkey or chicken for beef if you prefer a leaner protein.
• Use fresh cauliflower for the best texture in the rice, but frozen works well too—just allow a little extra cooking time.

Storage

Store any leftover components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the beef and cauliflower rice gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through. Add fresh toppings and yogurt-lime drizzle just before serving to keep everything vibrant and delicious.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes, simply substitute the Greek yogurt in the drizzle with a dairy-free alternative like coconut yogurt or a cashew-based sauce for a similar creamy, tangy finish.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely. All the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making this recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

Crispy Chile Ground Beef and Cauliflower Protein Bowls Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 438 reviews

These Crispy Chile Ground Beef and Cauliflower Protein Bowls are a flavorful, nutrient-packed meal featuring spiced and crisped lean ground beef paired with tender cauliflower rice. Perfectly balanced with fresh vegetables and a tangy yogurt-lime drizzle, this recipe offers a delicious low-carb, high-protein dinner option that’s quick to prepare and full of vibrant Mexican-inspired flavors.

• Author: Daniel
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
• Diet: Low Carb

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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

Veg & 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

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: Whisk together the Greek yogurt, lime juice, lime zest, hot sauce or chipotle powder, and salt until smooth. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of warm water, stirring to reach a drizzleable consistency. Chill the drizzle until ready to serve.
2. Crisp the ground beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add a swirl of oil to coat the pan. Crumble the ground beef into the skillet, pressing it into an even layer. Season with kosher salt and black pepper. Let it cook undisturbed for 3 to 4 minutes to develop deep browning. Then break it into medium-sized crumbles and continue cooking for another 3 to 4 minutes until browned and some edges become crisp.
3. Season & glaze the beef: Reduce the heat to medium. Sprinkle in the chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and chipotle or cayenne powder if using. Toast the spices for about 30 seconds while stirring. Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring to coat the beef. Stir in the lime juice and apple cider vinegar to brighten flavors and loosen browned bits from the pan. Taste and adjust salt or heat as desired. Keep the beef warm.
4. Cook the cauliflower rice: In a second skillet heated over medium-high, add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sauté the minced garlic for about 15 seconds until fragrant. Add the cauliflower rice and kosher salt, stirring occasionally. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes if using fresh cauliflower or 5 to 7 minutes if frozen, until tender and steaming with some toasty spots. Remove from heat and stir in lime juice and chopped cilantro.
5. Assemble the bowls: Divide the cauliflower rice evenly among 4 bowls. Top each with the crispy chile ground beef. Add shredded red cabbage, diced red bell pepper, sliced avocado, and thinly sliced red onions. Drizzle each bowl generously with the yogurt-lime sauce, sprinkle with additional chopped cilantro, and serve with lime wedges on the side.

Notes

• Use lean ground beef (90–93%) for optimal texture and less grease.
• Chipotle or cayenne powder is optional but adds a nice smoky heat.
• Quick-pickled red onions can be made ahead for more flavor.
• Frozen cauliflower rice should be thawed and drained to avoid sogginess.
• The yogurt-lime drizzle can be adjusted in spiciness to taste.
• For a dairy-free option, substitute Greek yogurt with a plant-based alternative.

Keywords: ground beef bowl, cauliflower rice, healthy protein bowl, low carb dinner, Mexican protein bowl, crispy beef recipe, yogurt lime sauce