El Picante Tex‑Mex Skillet Fiesta

Busy nights meet bold flavor with this hearty, one-pan Tex‑Mex Skillet Fiesta. Ground beef (or your protein of choice) is seasoned and sautéed alongside rice, corn, beans, and peppers. A generous jar of El Picante Salsa—All Natural, Diablo, or Verde—gives it a vibrant tomato base with just the right amount of heat, without needing any extra seasoning.

Finished with melty cheese and fresh avocado, sour cream, or tortilla strips, this dish delivers layered Tex‑Mex flavor in just 25 minutes. Perfect for family dinners, casual get‑togethers, or quick meal prep, and any leftovers can easily be transformed into tacos or burritos the next day. Minimal cleanup, maximum satisfaction—this skillet proves flavor doesn’t have to be complicated.

PREP TIME:

5 mins

COOK TIME:

20 mins

total TIME:

25 mins

SERVINGS

8 Ingredients

1 lb extra lean ground beef (or ground turkey breast, or ground pork)
1⁄ 2 cup 0nion, chopped (optional, if desired)
1(1 ounce) package taco seasoning
2cups cooked rice (or one 8.8-ounce package 90 second microwaveable rice)
1 1⁄2cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (or pepper jack cheese)
1 1⁄2 - 2cups El Picante salsa
1(15 1/2 ounce) can black beans (optional, rinsed and drained)
1 tablespoon pickled jalapeno (chopped)
avocado, sliced (optional, for garnish)
cilantro (0ptional, for garnish)
sour cream (optional, for garnish)
4 -8 tortillas (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Preheat your grill to medium and brush the grates lightly with oil to help prevent sticking.
In a large skillet, sauté the chopped onion (if using) over medium heat until soft and translucent.
Add ground meat to the skillet and cook with taco seasoning until browned, draining off any excess grease if needed.
Stir in the cooked rice, shredded cheese, El Picante salsa, and optional mix-ins like black beans and jalapeños. (Tip: Use the full 2 cups of salsa if you’re including beans.)
Mix everything together until well combined and heated through.
Serves 6–8. Garnish with fresh cilantro, sour cream, and sliced avocado for extra flavor and color.

⏱️ If you’re cooking rice from scratch, allow an extra 20 minutes to prepare it before assembling the dish.