Zucchini Rice with Ground Meat
on Aug 24, 2026
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Need a quick dinner that tastes like you put in way more effort? This zucchini rice with ground meat is my kind of home cooking 🏠❤️: savory beef in the updated video, soft zucchini, fluffy jasmine rice, garlic, and plenty of fresh dill. The rice cooks while the meat and vegetables brown, so the whole meal is ready in 25 minutes. My mom and I have made versions of it for as long as I can remember.
Key Takeaways
- Ground meat turns zucchini rice into a complete, satisfying lunch or dinner.
- The updated video uses ground beef, but turkey, chicken, pork, or lamb work too.
- Cook the rice separately while the meat and vegetables brown in the skillet.
- Fine, even pieces of zucchini and onion soften quickly and mix into every bite.
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Zucchini Rice
Where I’m from in Bulgaria 🇧🇬, we’re very good at turning a few humble ingredients into a proper meal. This isn’t a traditional Bulgarian dish, but it absolutely comes from that way of cooking.
Browning the meat gives the rice its savory flavor, the finely diced zucchini softens quickly, and fresh dill keeps every bite bright. Serve it with plain yogurt or a cold bowl of tarator and good luck not going back for another spoonful.
Zucchini Rice with Meat
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
The Rice
- Rinse the rice well (until the water runs clear). Then, cook the rice per the package instructions and set aside. I like to use my rice cooker but feel free to use the stove-top method as well.
The Meat
- To a pan on medium heat, add the ground meat. Using a wooden spatula, break up the meat and stir while it cooks, 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. The water will evaporate and the meat should start to 'pop'. Next, add the salt and pepper.
- Now, reduce the heat to medium-low, add the onions and zucchini and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and remove the skillet from the heat.
- Stir in the fresh dill, if using, and the cooked fluffy rice. Gently mix everything together and enjoy.
My Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Choose Your Ground Meat
The updated video uses ground beef, while the original recipe card uses ground turkey and allows any ground meat. Beef, turkey, chicken, pork, or lamb can all work here, so use the one you enjoy.
Cooking time changes with the meat you choose. Cook ground beef, pork, or lamb to 160°F and ground turkey or chicken to 165°F, then let the thermometer make the final call.
Keep the Zucchini Pieces Fine
Give the zucchini and onion a fine, even dice. They only get a few minutes in the skillet, and the small pieces soften quickly without making the rice feel heavy or watery.
Keep the pieces close in size so they cook at the same pace. Tiny detail, big difference.
The Rice Cooks Separately
Cook the jasmine rice according to its package instructions while the meat and vegetables brown. The water ratio stays tied to the rice you’re actually using, and both parts finish at about the same time.
This is a simple home-cooking rice skillet. The cooked rice is folded into the meat and vegetables at the end, which keeps the grains fluffy instead of overcooking them.
Nonna’s Tip 🍚
Use leftover rice whenever you have it. Add the cooked rice after the meat and vegetables are finished, then gently fold everything together so the grains stay fluffy. Microwave rice or a rice cooker makes this even more hands-off. Easy.
What to Serve with Zucchini Rice
Serve it with cold cucumber soup or a spoonful of easy tzatziki. Quick pickled red onions add a bright, sharp contrast.
If zucchini is on repeat in your kitchen, try my stuffed zucchini boats next.
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Common Questions
What ground meat works in zucchini rice?
The updated video uses ground beef. You can also make this with ground turkey, chicken, pork, or lamb, just like the original recipe allows.
Is this a one-pot zucchini rice recipe?
No. The jasmine rice cooks separately according to its package instructions, then it is mixed with the cooked ground meat, zucchini, onion, garlic, and dill.
How long does zucchini rice take?
The recipe card lists 10 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking time, for 25 minutes total.
Why does the zucchini need to be finely diced?
The onion and zucchini have a short cooking window in the current method. Fine, even pieces are the best match for that timing.
We make this recipe basically weekly. My daughter and husband love this, and so do I! Definitely recommend if you haven’t tried!
An absolute winner in our house! Easy and delish!
This zucchini rice dish has become a tasty staple for my family. My kids LOVE it!! I add a generous amount of freshly squeezed lemon juice just before serving. Delicious and nutritious. 10,000/10
This turned out fantastic and was super easy to make!
We are not big dill fans so we added savory instead – I topped it with some greek yogurt while husband did some parmesan cheese. All versions were delicious.
Will be adding this to my “go-to” recipes list.
All of that sounds DELICIOUS, Rossitza! Thank you for sharing these variations and for the rating! I appreciate it! 🥰❤️
Easy quick meal to make. I added some red flakes and thymes . Added some soy sauce also
Awesome, Maria! Thanks so much for this variation and for your review. I appreciate it!
I loved this recipe, but to take it to the next level I added some ground spices — cumin, oregano, paprika… and the secret ingredient — TRUST ME ON THIS, is CINNAMON. Seriously. About 1/4 tsp at the end and it just gives the best flavour bomb. It’s so warm, rich and filling, especially if you use lamb as the meat.
So happy you improvised according to taste Rhi
I’ve made this a few times. Always good! This time, I added a little smoked paprika and cumin to the ground turkey as it cooked and I threw in some carrots and mushrooms with the zucchini and onions. 10/10. It really brought all the ingredients together. Love this!
Hi Jess! That makes me so happy and thank you for leaving me such a sweet review
Can you freeze this?
Absolutely yes