This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
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.
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.
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.
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.
More Taco Inspired Recipes
If you make and love our recipes, it would help us if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and YouTube.
Taco Bowl
Ingredients
- 2 cups white rice cooked
- 1 pound ground beef
- ¼ cup water
- 2 teaspoon chili powder mild
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Toppings
- 1 cup cheddar cheese freshly grated
- 1 roma tomato diced
- ¼ medium red onion sliced
- ½ cup guacamole
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup salsa
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro diced
Optional
- tortilla chips
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef. Break the beef up with a wooden spoon while cooking. Cook the ground beef 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.
- Add the 1/4 cup water and taco seasoning. Stir together until the meat is coated in the sauce.
- Allow this to cook for 2-3 minutes, then remove from the heat.
- Create 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 if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Photography by KJandCompany.co
