Taco Bowl
Easy to customize and simple to prepare, it’s a practical weeknight dinner that can also be spooned into warm tortillas to make tacos.
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
For the Beef
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, small, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 –2 tbsp taco seasoning, or 2 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, ½ tsp paprika, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup tomato sauce
For the Rice
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 2 tbsp chopped cilantro or parsley
- 1 tsp olive oil
- Pinch of salt
- Squeeze of fresh lime
For the Black Beans
- 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, small, minced
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of cumin or chili powder
For the Corn
- 1 cup canned corn kernels, rinsed and drained
- 1 tsp olive oil
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of chili powder or smoked paprika
For the Toppings
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- ½ cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 1 avocado, sliced
For the Creamy Sauce
- ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of garlic powder
For Serving
- Fresh cilantro or parsley
- Lime wedges
Method:
Start CookingFor the Beef
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add diced onion and cook for about 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir in taco seasoning (or the spices) and mix well.
- Add tomato sauce and simmer for 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
For the Rice
- In a small pot, combine 1 cup rice and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed. Let it rest for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
- Place warm cooked rice in a bowl.
- Stir in chopped cilantro or parsley, olive oil, salt, and a squeeze of fresh lime.
- Mix gently until evenly combined.
For the Black Beans
- Heat olive oil in a small pan over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
- Add the rinsed black beans, salt, and cumin or chili powder.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.
For the Corn
- Heat olive oil in a small pan over medium heat.
- Add corn, salt, and chili powder or smoked paprika.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes until heated through and slightly roasted.
For the Creamy Sauce
- In a small bowl, mix sour cream or Greek yogurt with lime juice and a pinch of salt.
- Add garlic powder if using and stir until smooth.
Assemble the Bowls
- Divide the rice between serving bowls.
- Top with seasoned beef, warm black beans, and corn.
- Add shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, and avocado slices.
- Drizzle with the creamy sauce.
For Serving
- Sprinkle with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges. Bon appétit.
Kitchen Tools:
Notes:
From the kitchen
- If you are short on time, you can skip seasoning the rice, beans, and corn and simply warm them before assembling the bowl.
- Store-bought taco seasoning works well and saves time measuring individual spices.
- Warm the beans and corn before serving so the bowl stays balanced between warm and fresh ingredients.
- A squeeze of fresh lime at the end brightens all the flavors.
- Use ground turkey, shredded chicken, or grilled steak instead of beef.
- Replace rice with quinoa or cauliflower rice for a lighter option.
- Add jalapeños, pickled onions, or hot sauce for extra heat.
- Sprinkle crushed tortilla chips on top for crunch.
- Instead of a bowl, fill warm tortillas with the ingredients to make tacos.
- Serve taco bowls with tortilla chips, salsa, or guacamole.
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Nutrition:
Calories: 721 kcal | Carbohydrates: 49 g | Protein: 31 g | Fat: 46 g | Saturated Fat: 14 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 23 g | Trans Fat: 1 g | Cholesterol: 98 mg | Sodium: 618 mg | Potassium: 1079 mg | Fiber: 9 g | Sugar: 7 g | Vitamin A: 598 IU | Vitamin C: 19 mg | Calcium: 263 mg | Iron: 5 mg
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Bowl meals
WHY WE LOVE IT
Bowl meals bring together grains, proteins, vegetables, and sauces in one satisfying dish. Each layer adds flavor and texture, creating a balanced meal that is easy to customize.
A LITTLE STORY
Layered bowls appear in many food cultures, from Asian rice bowls to Mediterranean grain dishes. In modern kitchens, they became popular as simple, all-in-one meals that combine hearty ingredients with fresh toppings.
DID YOU KNOW?
Taco bowls are a Tex-Mex inspired variation of grain bowls. Instead of wrapping taco fillings in a tortilla, the ingredients are layered over rice to create a fork-friendly meal.