This quick and easy Taco Rice Bowl recipe brings vibrant Tex-Mex flavors right to your kitchen. It’s the perfect weeknight mealsolution for busy families seeking a satisfying and budget-conscious dinner option that’s customizable to everyone’s taste.
Key Ingredients for Taco Rice Bowl
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 or 90/10)
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning (or use your own homemade blend)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can (15 ounces) corn, drained
- 1/4 cup salsa (your favorite kind)
- 4 cups cooked white or brown rice (prepared according to package directions)
- Optional Toppings:
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- Avocado or guacamole
- Chopped cilantro
- Jalapeño slices
How to Make Taco Rice Bowl
This Taco Rice Bowl is designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort, making it a weeknight hero. Expect a delicious, satisfying meal ready in under 30 minutes, featuring a savory taco-seasoned ground meat that perfectly complements fluffy rice and fresh toppings.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is browned and no pink remains. Drain off any excess grease.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped yellow onion to the skillet with the browned beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion has softened and become translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Season the Meat Mixture: Sprinkle the taco seasoning evenly over the beef and onion mixture. Stir well to coat everything thoroughly.
- Add Liquids and Simmer: Pour in the 1/2 cup of water. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Incorporate Beans and Corn: Stir in the rinsed and drained black beans, drained corn, and salsa. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans and corn are heated through.
- Assemble the Bowls: Divide the cooked rice evenly among four large bowls. Spoon the seasoned taco meat mixture generously over the rice in each bowl.
- Add Your Favorite Toppings: Get creative with your toppings! Pile on shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, some creamy avocado, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. Don’t forget jalapeño slices for a kick, if you like it spicy!
Why You’ll Love This Taco Rice Bowl
You’ll absolutely adore this Taco Rice Bowl for its incredible versatility and comforting Tex-Mex charm. The star of the show is the perfectly seasoned, savory ground meat mixture, which is packed with flavor and creates a truly satisfying base for your bowl. What makes it even better is that preparing this vibrant meal at home is significantly more budget-friendly than ordering takeout, saving you money without sacrificing taste. This dish elevates simple ingredients with a craveable taco blend, making it a delightful alternative to a standard beef and rice dish, and it’s so easy to customize with your personal favorite toppings.
Don’t just take our word for it – this Taco Rice Bowl is a crowd-pleaser that will become a regular in your meal rotation. It’s a fantastic way to inject some fun and flavor into your dinner routine, offering a complete and balanced meal experience that’s incredibly adaptable. Ready to ditch the delivery apps and whip up something spectacular? Give this easy Taco Rice Bowl a try tonight, and discover a new weeknight favorite that’s guaranteed to impress!
Storing and Reheating Tips
For optimal freshness and enjoyment, store any leftover Taco Rice Bowl components separately. Refrigerate the cooked meat mixture and the cooked rice in airtight containers for up to 3-4 days. Store your prepared fresh toppings (like lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese) in separate containers in the refrigerator.
To reheat, warm the meat mixture gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a tablespoon or two of water or salsa if it seems dry. Heat the rice separately in the microwave or in a small saucepan until warmed through. Assemble your bowl with the reheated components and fresh toppings for a delicious second meal. For longer storage, you can freeze the meat mixture in portioned containers for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating as described above.
Final Thoughts
This Taco Rice Bowl recipe is a delightful fusion of ease, flavor, and affordability, making it an ideal choice for any home cook. We encourage you to gather your ingredients and whip up this crowd-pleasing dish for a delicious and satisfying meal experience.
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest

The Ultimate Taco Rice Bowl
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is browned and no pink remains. Drain off any excess grease.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 pound ground beef
- Add the chopped yellow onion to the skillet with the browned beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion has softened and become translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.1 medium yellow onion, 2 cloves garlic
- Sprinkle the taco seasoning evenly over the beef and onion mixture. Stir well to coat everything thoroughly.1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning
- Pour in the 1/2 cup of water. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.1/2 cup water
- Stir in the rinsed and drained black beans, drained corn, and salsa. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans and corn are heated through.1 can (15 ounces) black beans, 1 can (15 ounces) corn, 1/4 cup salsa
- Divide the cooked rice evenly among four large bowls. Spoon the seasoned taco meat mixture generously over the rice in each bowl.4 cups cooked white or brown rice
- Get creative with your toppings! Pile on shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, some creamy avocado, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. Don’t forget jalapeño slices for a kick, if you like it spicy!Shredded lettuce, Diced tomatoes, Shredded cheddar cheese, Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, Avocado or guacamole, Chopped cilantro, Jalapeño slices