This keto King Ranch ground beef skillet is a savory twist on the popular King Ranch chicken recipe. It’s hearty and still low-carb!
What Is King Ranch
The term King Ranch refers to the largest working ranch in the United States. So, did this huge cattle ranch invent the recipe? That’s the confusing part.
No, they had nothing to do with it. The first “King Ranch” recipe was a King Ranch chicken casserole and the origins of that recipe are also debated. But most people agree it came from Texas in the 1950s.
The general idea behind the recipe is to make an easy recipe with canned cream of chicken soup that will feed your family. Since it was created in Texas, it has a distinct Tex-Mex flair from the tortilla strips and tomatoes.
And just to make it even more confusing, it doesn’t even have any ranch seasoning or ranch dressing in it at all.
King Ranch Skillet
That’s right! King Ranch ground beef skillet doesn’t have any ranch in it. There are probably a few other names I could have called it.
Tex Mex Ground Beef skillet is a good name. I also could have gone with Ground Beef tortilla skillet.
But since this recipe is a twist on the popular King Ranch chicken casserole, I stuck with King Ranch ground beef skillet.
If you love tacos, cheese, tomatoes, and bold spices, then this easy skillet recipe is just for you.
Adding cream cheese makes it even creamier than ever. And you can add jalapenos if you want to make it even spicier!
Keto Ground Beef Skillet
The best part of this skillet meal is how I added tortilla strips to it. There are so many different kinds of low-carb tortillas – and they come in a bunch of different flavors.
You don’t have to use a specific one – this is one thing you can change without it affecting the recipe.
In fact, you can make this ground beef skillet without the tortilla strips. Grab some keto-friendly chips and use this recipe as a cheesy dip or add some cauliflower rice and eat it like a casserole.
Keto Sides
Serve the kind of side dishes that you would eat with some tacos or nachos, since the ingredients are very similar.
This keto King Ranch ground beef skillet will taste incredible with some homemade guacamole and keto tortilla chips.
And don’t forget about dessert. Finish up this delicious meal with either low-carb cookies and cream fluff or a small bowl of low-carb blueberry cottage cheese parfait.
Both recipes taste so indulgent that you won’t believe they are low-carb.
How To Store Leftover Casserole
Will the keto King Ranch ground beef skillet taste good as leftovers? Yes, it sure will! Since the tortillas are cooked in the skillet, you don’t have to worry about them becoming soggy in the fridge.
Store your leftover ground beef skillet casserole in an airtight food storage container. Then, keep it in the fridge for up to a week.
Keto King Ranch Ground Beef Skillet Recipe
Here are the ingredients (and step by step pictures) you’ll need to make this delicious keto King Ranch ground beef skillet recipe. The exact measurements and instructions are located in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Net Carbs: 6 net carbs per serving
Ingredients:
- Ground beef
- Onion chopped
- Large jalapeno chopped
- Minced garlic
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Paprika
- Cream cheese softened
- Rotel drained
- Beef broth
- Chopped green onions
- Zero carb soft taco sized tortillas sliced into pieces
- Shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions:
Add the ground beef and onion to a skillet over medium high heat. Saute until the meat is mostly browned.
Stir in the jalapeno pepper, and saute until the meat is completely browned. Drain the excess grease well.
Reduce the heat to medium, and mix in the chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic cream cheese and salt and pepper to taste. Saute until the cheese is melted and combined.
Pour in the Rotel and beef broth, and simmer until most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir in the green onions and tortilla strips.
Turn the heat off, sprinkle with the cheese, and cover with a lid until the cheese has melted before serving.
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Keto King Ranch Ground Beef Skillet
Equipment
- Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds Ground Beef
- 1/2 Onion chopped
- 1 large Jalapeno chopped
- 2 tsp Minced Garlic
- 2 tsp Chili Powder
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 3 ounces Cream Cheese softened
- 1 cup Rotel drained
- 1/4 cup Beef Broth
- 1/4 cup Chopped Green Onions
- 2 Zero Carb Soft Taco Sized Tortillas sliced into pieces
- 1 1/2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Instructions
- Add the ground beef and onion to a skillet over medium high heat.
- Saute until the meat is mostly browned.
- Stir in the jalapeno pepper, and saute until the meat is completely browned. Drain the excess grease well.
- Reduce the heat to medium, and mix in the chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic cream cheese and salt and pepper to taste. Saute until the cheese is melted and combined.
- Pour in the Rotel and beef broth, and simmer until most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Stir in the green onions and tortilla strips.
- Turn the heat off, sprinkle with the cheese, and cover with a lid until the cheese has melted before serving.
Notes
Skillet Recipes
If you enjoyed this keto King Ranch ground beef skillet, here are a few more easy skillet recipes you should try next. All of them are low-carb.
