Mississippi Skillet Rice is an easy, flavorful one pan dinner made with seasoned ground beef, tender rice, ranch seasoning, au jus gravy, and tangy pepperoncini peppers all simmered together in beef broth.

From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito

If you love Mississippi pot roast, you're going to love this Mississippi Skillet Rice. It has all those same delicious flavors but comes together in one skillet with ground beef and rice instead.

This is one of those easy dinners that's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something hearty and filling without making a ton of dishes. Everything cooks together in the same pan, and the rice soaks up all that delicious flavor.

Why You'll Love It

One-Pan Dinner: Everything cooks together in one skillet, making cleanup super easy.
Loaded With Flavor: Ranch seasoning, au jus gravy, butter, and pepperoncini give this dish that classic Mississippi flavor.
Family Friendly: This hearty combination of ground beef and rice is a great dinner the whole family can enjoy.
Simple Ingredients: Just a handful of pantry staples and a few refrigerated ingredients are all you need.

Ingredients

Here is everything you’ll need to make this delicious recipe. You can find the full ingredients list along with measurements and instructions on the recipe card below.

Ground Beef – The base of this recipe. I like using lean ground beef so there isn't too much excess grease.
Butter – Adds richness and gives the rice that delicious buttery flavor.
Long Grain White Rice – Uncooked long grain white rice works best here because it cooks right in the skillet and absorbs all the delicious broth and seasonings.
Au Jus Gravy Mix – Gives the dish a rich, savory beef flavor. You'll find this in the gravy packet section of the grocery store.
Ranch Seasoning Mix – Adds that classic Mississippi-style ranch flavor.
Black Pepper – Adds a little extra seasoning to the beef and rice.
Garlic Powder – Adds another layer of savory flavor.
Onion Powder – Helps round out the seasonings.
Beef Broth – Cooks the rice while adding lots of rich beef flavor. I recommend low-sodium broth because the seasoning packets already contain salt.
Pepperoncini Peppers – Sliced pepperoncini add the signature tangy flavor that makes Mississippi-style recipes so good.
Pepperoncini Juice – A little juice straight from the jar adds extra flavor and just the right amount of tanginess.

How To Make It

Here's how to make this amazing recipe you can find the full ingredients list along with instructions on the recipe card below.

Add the ground beef to a large, deep skillet over medium high heat. Break it into small pieces and cook until browned. Drain any excess grease if needed. Add the butter to the skillet and stir until completely melted into the ground beef. Stir in the uncooked long grain white rice and let it toast in the skillet for about 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

ground beef browned in a skillet with butter and rice

Add the au jus gravy packet, ranch seasoning packet, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir everything together until the beef and rice are evenly coated. Pour in the beef broth, then add the sliced pepperoncini peppers and a little juice from the jar. Stir everything together. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet with a tight fitting lid.

ground beef and rice in skillet with beef broth, au jus seasoning and ranch seasoning

Let everything simmer for about 25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. If the rice needs more time, continue cooking, adding a splash of broth if necessary. Remove the skillet from the heat and let it rest, covered, for about 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve warm. Enjoy!

Pro Tips

Use uncooked rice. The rice needs to be uncooked when it's added to the skillet so it can absorb all the delicious flavors as it cooks.
Don't skip toasting the rice. Letting the rice toast in the butter and beef for a couple of minutes adds extra flavor.
Keep the lid on. Try not to lift the lid too often while the rice is cooking. Trapping the steam helps the rice cook evenly.
Watch the liquid. Depending on the skillet and heat level, the rice might need a little extra broth or cooking time.
Use low-sodium broth. Between the au jus and ranch packets, there's already plenty of seasoning in this dish.

Variations

Ground Turkey: Swap the ground beef for ground turkey for a lighter version.
Extra Pepperoncini: Add more sliced pepperoncini peppers and juice if you love that tangy Mississippi flavor.
Make It Spicy: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat.
Add Vegetables: Stir in some sautéed mushrooms or onions for extra flavor and texture.

What To Serve With It

Mississippi Skillet Rice is a pretty hearty meal all on its own, but I love serving it with something simple on the side.

A fresh garden salad, roasted broccoli, green beans, or asparagus would all go really well with it. You could also serve it with some warm dinner rolls or garlic bread to round out the meal.

Can I Use Instant Rice?

I wouldn't recommend it for this recipe. Instant rice cooks much faster and requires a different amount of liquid. Regular long grain white rice works best.

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator: Let the rice cool and transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

Reheating: Add the rice to a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of beef broth or water. Stir occasionally until heated all the way through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave.

Freezer: Once completely cooled, transfer the rice to a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 2–3 months for best quality. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

For food safety, refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking and reheat until steaming hot throughout.

Other Easy Rice Recipes

I've rounded up all my Best Rice Recipes so you can find them easily in one place. I highly recommend the Viral Dirty Rice. Its easy to make, delicious and always a huge hit!

ALL MY BEST RICE RECIPES