Ray's Beans and Beef

Warm, hearty, and packed with bold flavors, Ray’s Beans and Beef is the ultimate comfort food recipe perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. This one-pot dish combines tender ground beef, savory black and pinto beans, and a fragrant blend of spices like chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika, all simmered in a rich tomato and beef broth base. The addition of sautéed onions, garlic, and fresh cilantro infuses every bite with aromatic depth, while the optional garnish of green onions adds a bright, zesty touch. Ready in under an hour with minimal prep, this satisfying meal is as versatile as it is delicious—serve it over warm rice, scoop it up with tortilla chips, or enjoy it solo for a protein-packed dinner. Perfect for fans of hearty beef recipes and easy bean dishes, this crowd-pleaser is sure to become a go-to favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 79/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 15 ounces canned black beans
• 15 ounces canned pinto beans
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 3 cloves garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup beef broth
• 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
• 2 stalks green onions

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat.

Step 2

Dice the yellow onion and mince the garlic cloves. Add the onion to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until softened and translucent.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

Step 4

Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until it's fully browned and no pink remains, about 7-8 minutes. Drain any excess grease, if needed.

Step 5

Stir in the tomato paste, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes to toast the spices and coat the beef evenly.

Step 6

Add the diced tomatoes (including their juice), beef broth, and both canned beans (drained and rinsed) to the skillet. Stir to combine.

Step 7

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and let simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld and the liquid to reduce slightly.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or spices, if needed.

Step 9

Roughly chop the fresh cilantro and slice the green onions. Stir half of the cilantro into the beef and beans mixture and reserve the rest for garnish.

Step 10

Serve the beans and beef hot in bowls, topped with the reserved cilantro and green onions. Optionally, serve with rice, tortilla chips, or crusty bread on the side.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2074.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2272.3

Total Fat 114.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 37.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.5g
Cholesterol 321.1mg	0%
Sodium 6523.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 191.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 74.3g	0%
Total Sugars 18.6g
Protein 143.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 624.0mg	0%
Iron 32.1mg	0%
Potassium 5832.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 43.5%

Protein: 24.2%

Carbs: 32.3%