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Mississippi Ground Beef and Rice is an easy one skillet dinner made with lean ground beef, tender rice, and savory Mississippi-style seasonings. A little tanginess from the pepperoncinis makes this hearty stovetop dinner especially flavorful. Ready in under an hour, this is a great weeknight meal.

mississippi ground beef and rice in a skillet and in a bowl

If you love the flavors of Mississippi Pot Roast, this easy ground beef version is a faster way to enjoy them without cooking a roast!

The rice cooks right along with the seasoned beef, buttery onions, and beef broth, soaking up all that savory flavor. The pepperoncinis add a little zippiness that makes this dish especially tasty.

And since everything cooks in one skillet, cleanup is easy, too!

Why You’ll Love Mississippi Ground Beef and Rice
Mississippi Ground Beef and Rice Ingredients
Variations and Substitutions
How to Make Mississippi Ground Beef and Rice in a Skillet
Tips for the Best Mississippi Ground Beef and Rice
What to Serve With Mississippi Hamburger and Rice
Storage and Reheating
More Rice and Skillet Meals
Mississippi Ground Beef and Rice Recipe

Why You’ll Love Mississippi Ground Beef and Rice

Easy one skillet dinner. Everything cooks in the same pan, making preparation and cleanup simple.
Budget-friendly. Just one pound of ground beef makes six satisfying servings.
Plenty of flavor. The Mississippi-style seasonings, butter, and pepperoncinis make the beef and rice deliciously savory with a little zing.
Great for weeknights. A satisfying stovetop dinner that is ready in under an hour and doesn’t require a lot of preparation.

mississippi ground beef and rice in a bowl

Mississippi Ground Beef and Rice Ingredients

You only need a few simple, but flavorful, ingredients to make this flavorful ground beef and rice one-pan dinner.

For exact amounts, please see the recipe card below.

Lean Ground Beef, Unsalted Butter, Yellow Onion, Long-Grain White Rice, Ranch Seasoning Mix, Au Jus Gravy Mix, Low-Sodium Beef Broth, Pepperoncini Juice, Whole Pepperoncinis, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Black Pepper.

Ground Beef: I recommend lean ground beef so there isn’t too much grease in the skillet.

Rice: Use regular long-grain white rice, not instant rice. Rinse and drain it before cooking to remove excess surface starch.

Beef Broth: Use low-sodium beef broth since the ranch and au jus seasoning packets already contain salt.

Pepperoncinis: I like to leave the peppers whole for that classic Mississippi-style look. The juice from the jar also adds a nice tanginess to the rice.

Variations and Substitutions

Ground Turkey: Substitute one pound of ground turkey for the beef and use low-sodium chicken broth instead of beef broth.

Banana Peppers: For a less spicy option, substitute whole mild pickled banana peppers for the pepperoncinis. You can also use banana pepper juice in place of the pepperoncini juice for a similar tangy flavor.

More Pepperoncini Flavor: If you enjoy a stronger tangy flavor, add a little extra pepperoncini juice to individual servings after cooking.

How to Make Mississippi Ground Beef and Rice in a Skillet

This easy ground beef and rice dinner is made entirely on the stovetop in one large skillet with a lid.

brown onions in butter, add ground meat and cook, add seasonings

Cook the onion. Melt the butter in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until it begins to soften.
Brown the ground beef. Add the ground beef and break it into crumbles. Sprinkle in the garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Cook until no pink remains, stirring occasionally.

add rice, add seasoning packets, pour in broth

Add the rice and seasonings. Stir in the rinsed and drained rice. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the ranch seasoning and au jus mix, stirring until combined.

pour in pepperoncini juice and pepperoncinis, cover with lid, cook and rest

Add the broth and pepperoncinis. Pour in the beef broth and pepperoncini juice. Bring the mixture to a good simmer, then stir again. Reduce the heat to low, add the whole pepperoncinis, and cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid.
Simmer the rice. Cook on low, covered, for about 20 minutes without stirring, until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
Let it rest. Remove the skillet from the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Gently fluff the rice and serve with the whole pepperoncinis.

mississippi ground beef and rice in a skillet

Tips for the Best Mississippi Ground Beef and Rice

Use a deep skillet with a lid. The rice needs enough space to cook evenly, and a tight-fitting lid helps hold in the steam.
Don’t stir while simmering. Once the lid is on, leave the rice alone until it’s time to check for doneness. Too much stirring can make the rice gummy.
Let the rice rest. Keeping the skillet covered for 5 minutes after cooking helps the rice finish absorbing moisture.

What to Serve With Mississippi Hamburger and Rice

This hearty beef and rice dinner is satisfying on its own, but it will also pair well with a simple vegetable or salad.

Green beans, broccoli, glazed carrots, or a crisp green salad would all go nicely with the savory, tangy flavors.

mississippi ground beef and rice on a wood spoon

Storage and Reheating

Refrigerator: Cool leftovers promptly and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

Freezer: Freeze cooled portions in airtight, freezer-safe containers for up to 2–3 months for best quality.

Reheating: Add a splash of beef broth or water to keep the rice moist. Reheat in the microwave or in a covered skillet over low heat until heated throughout to 165°F.

Food Safety Tip: Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking. Divide larger portions into shallow containers to help them cool quickly.