Carne Moída com Arroz (Estilo Brasileiro)
Brazilian ground beef with rice is everyday food. It’s the kind of meal that appears naturally in home kitchens, especially on busy days, when practicality matters as much as flavor.
This combination is common across the country because it’s efficient, adaptable, and satisfying. Rice provides structure, ground beef carries seasoning well, and everything comes together quickly in one pan.
This version reflects how the dish is most often prepared at home: simple seasoning, balanced texture, and a result that fits easily into daily routines.
About this dish
In Brazil, ground beef is rarely cooked plain. It’s seasoned early, built with onion and garlic, and finished with just enough moisture to stay tender without becoming saucy.
Sometimes the rice is served separately. In many homes, especially during the week, it’s mixed directly with the beef to save time and dishes. Both approaches are common and familiar.
Outside Brazil, ground beef is often cooked drier or heavily spiced. This recipe follows the Brazilian approach: restrained seasoning, soft grains of rice, and a cohesive final dish.
Before you start
The expected texture is moist but not wet. The rice should be fully cooked and loose, absorbing the flavor of the beef without clumping.
Use medium-fat ground beef for best results. Very lean beef tends to dry out.
Cook the rice separately first. This is not a one-pot rice dish — combining cooked rice with the beef is what keeps the texture right.
Ingredients prepared before cooking
Brazilian Ground Beef with Rice
Ingredients
Method
- Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add the onion and cook until soft.
- Add the garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Reduce heat to low and add the cooked rice.
- Mix gently until the rice is evenly coated and warmed through.
- Adjust seasoning and finish with fresh herbs, if using.
Notes
- This dish should stay moist. Avoid overcooking once the rice is added.
- Leftover rice works well here and absorbs flavor easily.
- Optional additions include grated carrots or peas, depending on preference.
Equipment used
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How Brazilians usually serve this
Ground beef with rice is often served on its own as a complete meal. It may also appear with beans, a simple salad, or sautéed vegetables.
Some people mix everything together on the plate, others keep rice and beef side by side. Both are equally common.
Storage & reheating
Keeps refrigerated for up to 2 days.
Reheat gently in a pan or microwave until warmed through.
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About The Brazilian Table
Practical Brazilian food, adapted for everyday kitchens outside Brazil.