Get ready to transform your weeknight dinner routine with this incredible Taco Rice Bowl recipe! It’s the perfect solution for when you’re craving something packed with flavor but short on time. This deconstructed taco in a bowl is endlessly customizable, naturally healthy, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for the whole family.
Forget boring salads and complicated meals. This recipe combines seasoned ground beef, fluffy cilantro-lime rice, and all your favorite taco toppings into one satisfying and delicious dish. It’s perfect for meal prep, a quick lunch, or a fun, build-your-own dinner night.
Layering flavors for the perfect bite, every time.
Why You’ll Love This Taco Rice Bowl Recipe
Incredibly Fast: You can have this entire meal on the table in under 30 minutes, making it a true weeknight hero.
Perfect for Meal Prep: Assemble the components ahead of time for healthy and delicious grab-and-go lunches all week long. We’ll even show you how!
Completely Customizable: Set up a toppings bar and let everyone build their perfect bowl. From spicy jalapeños to creamy avocado, the options are limitless.
Healthy & Wholesome: Packed with protein, fiber, and fresh ingredients, it’s a meal you can feel good about serving. It easily beats takeout for both flavor and nutrition.
Taco Rice Bowl Ingredients
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients that come together for maximum flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Seasoned Ground Beef:
Lean Ground Beef: 1 lb of 90/10 lean ground beef works best to minimize grease.
Taco Seasoning: 1 packet of your favorite store-bought taco seasoning, or use a homemade blend.
Onion & Garlic: 1/2 cup of diced yellow onion and 2 cloves of minced garlic create the aromatic base.
Water or Beef Broth: Helps create a saucy consistency for the meat.
For the Cilantro-Lime Rice:
Long-Grain White Rice: 1 cup, rinsed until the water runs clear.
Water or Chicken Broth: 2 cups, for cooking the rice. Broth adds extra flavor!
Fresh Cilantro: 1/2 cup, finely chopped.
Lime Juice: The juice of one fresh lime (about 2 tablespoons).
Essential Toppings:
Shredded Lettuce (Romaine or Iceberg)
Diced Tomatoes
Shredded Cheddar or Mexican Blend Cheese
Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt
Salsa (Pico de Gallo is excellent here)
Avocado or Guacamole
Customize your bowl with all your favorite toppings.
How to Make a Taco Rice Bowl (Step-by-Step)
This simple process will have you enjoying your delicious bowl in no time.
Cook the Rice: In a medium saucepan, bring your water or chicken broth to a boil. Add the rinsed rice, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, then stir in the chopped cilantro and fresh lime juice.
Brown the Beef: While the rice cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion, breaking the meat apart with a spoon. Cook until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is soft, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
Season the Meat: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another minute until fragrant. Stir in the taco seasoning and water (or broth). Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
Assemble Your Bowl: Start building your masterpiece! Add a generous scoop of the cilantro-lime rice to the bottom of your bowl. Top with the seasoned taco meat.
Add Your Toppings: Now for the fun part! Layer on your favorite toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, a dollop of sour cream, salsa, and fresh avocado. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Essential Tips for the Perfect Bowl
A few simple tricks can take your taco rice bowl from great to absolutely unforgettable.
Rinse Your Rice: Don’t skip this step! Rinsing the rice removes excess starch, resulting in fluffy, separate grains instead of a sticky clump.
Toast Your Spices: If using a homemade taco blend, toast the spices in the pan for 30 seconds before adding the liquid to bloom their flavor.
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Use Lean Ground Beef: Using 90/10 or 93/7 ground beef means less grease to drain and a healthier final dish. You can also try this recipe with ground turkey or chicken. For a hearty vegetarian option, check out our Philly Cheesesteak Casserole for inspiration on seasoning vegetables.
Fresh is Best: While canned and jarred items work in a pinch, using fresh cilantro, lime juice, and pico de gallo will make a huge difference in the final taste.
Endless Topping and Customization Ideas
The beauty of a Taco Rice Bowl is its versatility. Here are some ideas to mix things up:
Protein Swaps:
Shredded Chicken: Use rotisserie chicken tossed with taco seasoning. For a different flavor profile, try our Peruvian Chicken and Rice recipe’s seasoning.
Grilled Steak: Marinated flank or skirt steak adds a smoky, delicious flavor.
Sauces: Chipotle aioli, avocado-lime crema, or a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce. Consider a creamy sauce like the one in our Creamy Cajun Chicken for a unique twist.
Crunch: Crushed tortilla chips or strips add a fantastic texture.
Meal Prep and Storage Instructions
A taco rice bowl is a fantastic option for meal prep. To ensure everything stays fresh, store the components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
Rice, Meat, and Beans/Corn: Can be stored together or separately. They will last for up to 4 days.
Cold Toppings: Store lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and other fresh toppings in their own containers.
Sauces and Avocado: Keep sour cream, salsa, and guacamole in small, separate containers. Wait to slice the avocado until you’re ready to eat to prevent browning.
When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat the meat and rice mixture in the microwave and then add your cold toppings.
Lean ground beef (90/10 or 93/7) is a popular choice because it’s flavorful with less grease. However, you can easily substitute it with ground turkey, ground chicken, shredded chicken, or even steak for a different variation.
The key to fluffy rice is to rinse the uncooked rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch. Also, make sure to let the rice steam, covered and off the heat, for at least 5 minutes after cooking before fluffing it with a fork.
For healthy toppings, focus on fresh ingredients like pico de gallo, diced avocado, corn salsa, pickled red onions, and fresh cilantro. Using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream is also a great way to add creaminess with more protein.
When stored properly, the components of a taco rice bowl can last for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. For best results, store the meat, rice, and cold toppings in separate airtight containers to maintain freshness and texture.
More Delicious Recipes to Try
If you loved this easy bowl recipe, be sure to check out some of our other favorites! For another amazing bowl meal, try our Grilled Steak Bowl. And for a creamy, comforting dinner, you can’t go wrong with this Creamy Chicken Penne.
Share Your Creations!
We hope you love this easy and flavorful Taco Rice Bowl! It’s a versatile recipe that’s sure to become a new family favorite. If you make it, don’t forget to leave a comment and rating below. We love hearing from you! For more delicious inspiration, be sure to follow us on Pinterest.
The ultimate Taco Rice Bowl - ready in 30 minutes!
Taco Rice Bowl Recipe
FL Recipes
Taco Rice Bowl: Easy, Healthy & Flavorful!
This Taco Rice Bowl is the ultimate weeknight dinner! Ready in under 30 minutes, it features perfectly seasoned ground beef, fluffy cilantro-lime rice, and all your favorite toppings for a healthy, customizable, and delicious meal.
Cook the Rice: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water or chicken broth to a boil. Add the rinsed rice, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, then stir in the chopped cilantro and fresh lime juice.
Brown the Beef: While the rice cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion, breaking the meat apart with a spoon. Cook until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is soft, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
Season the Meat: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another minute until fragrant. Stir in the taco seasoning and 1/3 cup water (or broth). Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
Assemble Your Bowl: Add a generous scoop of the cilantro-lime rice to the bottom of your bowl. Top with the seasoned taco meat. Layer on your favorite toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, a dollop of sour cream, salsa, and fresh avocado. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 550kcalProtein: 35gFat: 25gFiber: 8g
Notes
Rinse Your Rice: Rinsing the rice removes excess starch for fluffy, separate grains. Protein Swaps: This recipe works great with ground turkey, shredded chicken, or black beans for a vegetarian option. Storage: Store components separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days for easy meal prep.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
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