North African Spiced Beef and Rice

This flavorful dish combines tender beef with aromatic spices that bring a warm, vibrant taste to your dinner table. It’s an easy way to enjoy a delicious, hearty meal with a touch of North African flair.

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TIME1 hr 35 min

SERVINGS4

RATING5.0 / 5

01 / WHAT YOU NEED

Ingredients

½ pound beef round steak, diced ½ small onion, finely diced 1 tablespoon tomato-chicken bouillon granules (such as Knorr®) 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup water 1 tablespoon beef stock concentrate ¾ pound sweet potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch dice ¾ cup finely shredded cabbage 2 cinnamon sticks 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika ½ teaspoon ground cumin ½ teaspoon ground black pepper ½ teaspoon ground coriander 5 black cardamom seeds 1 cup brown rice

02 / HOW TO MAKE IT

Let's cook.

Step 1

Start by cooking the steak, onion, and tomato-chicken bouillon in a large pot over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the steak is nicely browned, which should take about 5 to 10 minutes. Next, add the garlic, 1 cup of water, beef stock concentrate, carrots, and sweet potatoes. Keep everything moving in the pot and cook until the carrots and sweet potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.

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Step 2

Once those are softened, pour in 1 1/2 cups of water along with the cabbage, cinnamon sticks, paprika, cumin, black pepper, coriander, and cardamom seeds. Bring the mixture up to a boil, then stir in the brown rice. Turn the heat down to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer gently until the rice has soaked up all the liquid, which should take around 45 minutes.

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Step 3

When it’s ready, fluff the rice with a fork and be sure to fish out the cinnamon sticks before serving. Enjoy!

03 / EXTRA DETAILS

Good to know.

Cook's tip

- Brown the beef well to develop rich flavor before adding spices.
- Use fresh spices if possible for the best aroma and taste.
- Let the rice rest covered off the heat for a few minutes to finish steaming and become fluffy.

Why you’ll love it

This dish is full of warm, fragrant spices that bring a comforting depth of flavor. It’s a satisfying meal with tender beef and fluffy rice, perfect for sharing with family or friends. The combination of spices also adds a lovely complexity without being too complicated to prepare.

Serving ideas

Serve with a side of tangy yogurt or a simple cucumber salad to balance the spices. A sprinkle of fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley on top adds brightness and color. Warm flatbread or pita also pairs nicely to scoop up the savory beef and rice.

Storage & leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of water if the rice feels dry. This dish also freezes well—thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.