Description
This Taco Rice Bowl is a quick and flavorful meal combining seasoned ground meat with rice, fresh veggies, and classic taco toppings for a satisfying one-bowl dinner. Perfect for weeknight meals, it offers flexibility with your choice of protein and toppings to suit your taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain white or brown rice
- 1 lb ground beef, turkey, or chicken
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tbsp homemade seasoning)
- 1/2 cup water
Mix-ins and Toppings
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup diced tomatoes or pico de gallo
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lime wedges, for serving
- Sour cream, salsa, and/or guacamole for topping
Instructions
- Cook the Rice: Prepare the rice according to the package instructions. This step can be completed ahead of time and the rice set aside until ready to assemble the bowls.
- Brown the Meat: Heat a skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef, turkey, or chicken, and cook until fully browned. If there’s excess fat, drain it off to keep the dish lighter.
- Season the Meat: Stir in the taco seasoning and 1/2 cup water into the cooked meat. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and properly coat the meat.
- Assemble the Bowl: Begin layering each bowl with a base of cooked rice.
- Add Toppings: Top the rice layer with the seasoned meat, followed by black beans, corn, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes or pico de gallo, shredded cheese, sliced olives, and chopped green onions.
- Garnish: Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro over the assembled bowls, add a squeeze of lime juice, and finish with a dollop of sour cream, salsa, or guacamole as desired.
- Serve or Store: Serve the bowls immediately while fresh, or keep the components separate for meal prepping and assemble just before eating to maintain freshness.
Notes
- You can swap ground beef with turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Use brown rice for a whole-grain version, though cooking times may vary.
- Optional toppings like black beans, olives, and guacamole add extra flavor and texture.
- Prepare the rice ahead of time to reduce meal prep stress on busy days.
- Store leftovers separately to keep the vegetables from getting soggy.
