Description
Whip up an Easy Taco Rice Bowl for a quick, healthy dinner! This simple recipe layers savory taco meat, fluffy rice, and fresh toppings for a weeknight win.
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb lean ground beef or turkey
- 1 cup white or brown rice (uncooked)
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup frozen or canned corn, drained
- 1/2 cup salsa (mild, medium, or hot)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Flavor Boosters:
- 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning
- Lime wedges, for serving
- Creamy Toppings:
- 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- Fresh Garnish:
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 avocado, diced or sliced
Instructions
- Cook Your Rice:: First things first, get that rice going. Follow the package directions for your chosen rice, whether it’s white or brown. I usually rinse my rice a couple of times until the water runs clear—it helps prevent it from getting too sticky, which honestly, I always forget to do. While it’s simmering, the kitchen starts to smell warm and comforting, a good sign of things to come. Don’t peek too much; let it do its thing.
- Brown the Meat:: While the rice is cooking, grab a large skillet and brown your ground beef or turkey over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. This is where I sometimes get a little aggressive and fling bits of meat onto the stovetop, oops! Once it’s no longer pink, drain any excess fat. You want that savory, browned goodness, but not a greasy mess.
- Season and Simmer:: Now for the flavor explosion! Stir in the taco seasoning, diced tomatoes (undrained!), rinsed black beans, and corn with the browned meat. Give it a good stir, making sure everything is well combined. Bring it to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for about 5-7 minutes. This allows all those amazing flavors to meld together. The aroma filling your kitchen right now? That’s pure magic.
- Assemble Your Bowl:: Time to build! Grab your bowls. Start with a generous scoop of the cooked rice as your base. This is the canvas for all your delicious toppings. I like to fluff my rice with a fork before serving, it just makes it look nicer, you know? Don’t be shy with the rice; it’s the foundation of a truly satisfying meal.
- Layer on the Goodness:: Next, spoon a hearty portion of the seasoned taco meat mixture over the rice. This is where you can be as messy or as neat as you like. Then comes the fun part: toppings! Sprinkle on some shredded cheddar cheese—it’ll get nice and melty from the warm meat and rice. Add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, a spoonful of salsa, some fresh cilantro, and those creamy avocado slices.
- Garnish and Serve:: Finish off your masterpiece with a squeeze of fresh lime juice over everything. That little zing of citrus cuts through the richness and brightens all the flavors. Serve immediately and enjoy the fruits of your quick cooking! Every bite is a little celebration of quick, delicious home cooking.