Taco Bowl

Feb 22, 2024

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This Taco Bowl recipe is a fun twist on a traditional taco. Ground beef taco meat layered on cilantro lime rice and all your favorite taco toppings. This easy and delicious meal will become a new family favorite.

Taco bowl served over rice topped with sour cream.

These taco bowls are a fun, easy family dinner that comes together quickly.

Ground beef is cooked in a homemade taco seasoning blend and served over a bed of rice and topped with all the best taco toppings. This gluten-free taco option (like our Taco Salad) is easy and perfect for making on busy weeknights.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Ground Beef: One pound of ground beef cooked up as taco meat makes this a budget-friendly meal. You can substitute for chicken (and make our Shredded Mexican Chicken) or use another meat on hand to make beef, chicken, ground turkey, or pork taco bowls.
Salsa: Use your favorite store-bought salsa or our restaurant style salsa.
Taco Seasoning: Use our homemade taco seasoning blend included in the recipe card below or use a store-bought seasoning blend.
Rice: Use a plain white rice or a cilantro lime rice for more flavor.
Toppings: Layer your favorite taco toppings including guacamole, sour cream, cheese, tomatoes, onion and lettuce.

Find the complete recipe card below with measurements and full instructions.

How to Make a Taco Bowl

First, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, breaking the beef up with a wooden spoon while cooking. Cook the meat fully, until browned and no longer pink.

Drain any excess grease from the skillet. Then return to the stove and reduce the heat to low.

Next, add the 1/4 cup water and taco seasoning blend. Stir together until the meat is coated in the sauce. Allow this to cook for 2-3 minutes, then remove from the heat.

Finally, create taco bowls by layering cooked rice in the bottom of the bowl. Top with ground beef, grated cheese, diced tomato, and sliced red onion.

Add scoops of guacamole and sour cream. Drizzle with salsa and sprinkle with fresh cilantro. Serve with tortilla chips for a bit of crunch if desired.

Bowl of rice, taco meat and taco toppings.

Storage

Leftovers: Store the ingredients needed to assemble the taco bowls separately for best results. Leftovers can be stored for 4-5 days in sealed containers in the refrigerator.
Freezing: Taco meat can be frozen and stored for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheating: Reheat the meat and rice on the stovetop in a skillet or in the microwave.

Taco bowl with guacamole and sour cream on top.

Variations

Beans: Make this a meatless meal by substituting with black or pinto beans. Or simply add some with the meat to spread it farther.
Corn: Add some more color by cooking up some fresh corn or make some Corn Salsa.
Crema & Salsa: Change the flavoring of your bowl by using a different type of salsa (such as our pineapple salsa or salsa verde) or using a flavored Crema. Our favorites include our Smoky Red Pepper Crema and Avocado Crema.
More Vegetables: Add extra veggies. Some ideas include some grilled fajita vegetables, lettuce, zucchini, radishes, or a collection of Roasted Mexican Vegetables.