Puerto Rican Lean Ground Beef (Corned Beef)

If you love Puerto Rican lean ground Beef (corned beef) also known as Carne Bif, then this healthy alternative is for you. Layers of white rice, fresh French fries, and an aromatic lean ground beef to top it off making it the ultimate comfort food. And if you have never tried it, it’s still for you because I have yet to meet someone who didn’t love it! 

Jump to:

• Why you will love this recipe
• What exactly is corned beef? 
• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Storage
• FAQ
• What can I serve with this Lean Ground Beef recipe?
• Tips: 
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

Why you will love this recipe

Puerto Rican-style corned beef and rice is a very popular Hispanic dish that is super cheap to make and perfect for anyone on a budget. Also known as Carne Bife, Puerto Rican corned beef hash is a popular dish in Puerto Rico that can be made with simple pantry ingredients creating bold flavors. 

Funny thing, growing up my dearest friend was from Puerto Rico. (I am Italian). I always had an interest in cooking all my life so I would hang out in the kitchen with her mom when she was cooking and I would have her teach me how to make food from their culture. Hispanic-inspired food has always been the flavor that I have been drawn to, so it was a joy to learn. She taught me how to make corn beef some 20 years ago but with canned corned beef. While the canned corned beef is slightly unhealthy, I knew I had to remake it a bit with a healthier twist. I am in no way trying to change the culture but I do love to make a healthier version of a staple recipe whenever I can. 

Having Celiac Disease, many traditional Hispanic meals are naturally gluten-free, just like this one. Once I was diagnosed 11 years ago, I grew an even stronger liking for the food. As of course being an Italian, Italian food is definitely not gluten-free friendly without making many swaps! 

What exactly is corned beef? 

Corn beef is a combination of cooked corn beef from the can, fresh fried potatoes, and Puerto Rican-inspired spices like adobo and Sofrito. Again, the only difference here in this corn beef recipe, is that we are using lean ground beef instead of corn beef from the can.

Ingredients

• Lean ground beef: always choose quality beef with the lowest amount of fat to keep this dish as healthy as possible. 
• Sofrito: provides a robust flavor 
• Costabile Brand Garlic Olive oil (use code 15GOLDENGK for 15% off)  
• I like to use garlic olive oil for this recipe, it keeps me from having to have fresh garlic on hand. Also, it eliminates having to use both ingredients, olive oil, and garlic. Costabile brand garlic olive oil is organic and comes from Italy. This is my favorite go-to when it comes to olive oil. Learn more about Costabile brand olive oil here.
• Green olives: these add such a delicious flavor to the dish. 
• Tomato sauce: the base for the sauce. I like to use Goya.
• Chicken broth: also helps to create the sauce. Feel free to use vegetable or beef stock if those are all you have on hand.
• Oregano
• Sazon
• Adobo
• Garlic powder: my favorite is roasted garlic powder from OliveNation.
• Salt

Instructions

To make this Puerto Rican corned beef, you will want to gather your seasonings like olive oil, Sofrito, Sazon, adobo, oregano, and garlic powder. These will be the staple flavors for your dish. Once your meat is browned, you will combine the ground beef with the seasonings, tomato sauce, and Chicken broth. 

Storage

To store this lean ground beef, store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in a tightly sealed container. 

FAQ

What if I want to use canned corn beef for this Puerto Rican Carne beef?

If you prefer to use canned corn beef, that would be completely fine. Simply cook up your sauce the way you would and place the corned beef into the sauce, breaking it up to combine well. 

What is Sazon? 

Sazon is a flavorful seasoning commonly used in Puerto Rican dishes. Not only does it provide flavor, but it provides that signature light orange color.

What is sofrito? 

Spanish sofritos primarily consist of garlic, bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes, cooked slowly in olive oil. It is also called refogado in Spain, which means “braised”, or cooked slowly. Spanish sofritos are seasoned with traditional Spanish spices and herbs like smoked paprika, saffron, parsley, or thyme.

Is sofrito gluten-free? 

This is a great question, because no, not all Sofrito is gluten-free. Goya sofrito contains wheat in the ingredients. Make sure to stay away from that one if you are gluten-free. 

Is corned beef dairy-free? 

Yes, this corned beef recipe is dairy-free. 

What can I serve with this Lean Ground Beef recipe?

• I always like to serve mine over white rice, however, if you are looking to keep this even healthier, you can substitute it with brown rice.
• Fresh French Fries: I always like to add fresh fried crispy french fries to this recipe. However, if you are looking to keep it healthier, you can omit them or fry them in the air fryer like these sweet potato fries.
• A fried egg always makes a nice addition when added to the top of the corned beef. This also provides extra protein to your dish.
• Another great alternative is adding diced potatoes to the beef while it is simmering. 
• Fried plantains: fried plantains are such a nice addition to this corned beef recipe.
• Corn: corn as a nice amount of sweetness to this savory beef dish. You can also use stewed corn or canned corn. 
• Avocado: avocado provides a nice amount of healthy fats to this corn beef recipe. The flavors also blend very well together.
• Broccoli: not only is broccoli super nutritious, but it pairs well with this recipe. 

Tips: 

• Trying to lose weight? Serve with brown rice instead of white rice. 
• Use sweet potatoes or serve on Onana Foods tortilla. (Code GFGOLDEN for 15% off your order).

★ Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below! I would love to hear back from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on  Instagram, Pinterest, Tiktok, and Facebook for more delicious recipes!

📖 Recipe