A sizzling bowl of tender steak, creamy cheese sauce, and fluffy rice topped with fresh avocado, lime, and jalapeño. Perfect for your next comfort food craving!
🎉 Introduction
Craving a dish that’s comforting, cheesy, and bursting with bold Tex-Mex flavor? This Steak & Queso Rice Bowl hits all the right notes! Tender marinated steak, perfectly cooked rice, and a smooth, spicy queso sauce come together in a hearty bowl that’s as satisfying as it is delicious. 🧀🔥🥩
Whether you’re looking for a weeknight dinner or a special weekend treat, this cheesy rice bowl with sizzling steak and fresh toppings delivers major flavor with minimal fuss.
🛒 Ingredients
🥩 Steak Marinade & Sear
- 450 g flank or sirloin steak
- 2 tsp powdered garlic
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for searing)
🍚 Rice
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups broth (chicken or beef)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt to taste
🧀 Homemade Queso Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 ½ tsp ground cumin
- 1 jalapeño, finely diced (optional for heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
🥑 Toppings (Optional but Recommended)
- Fresh cilantro
- Sliced avocado
- Lime wedges
- Extra diced jalapeño
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Marinate the Steak
- In a bowl, mix powdered garlic, chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Rub mixture over steak and let rest for 15–30 minutes.
Step 2: Cook the Rice
- In a saucepan, heat olive oil and sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds.
- Add rice and stir to coat in oil.
- Pour in broth, season with a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil.
- Cover and reduce to a simmer for 18–20 minutes until rice is tender. Fluff with a fork.
Step 3: Sear the Steak
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook steak 3–4 minutes per side (depending on thickness).
- Rest steak for 5 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain.
Step 4: Make the Queso Sauce
- In a saucepan, melt butter and sauté garlic and jalapeños (if using).
- Stir in milk, bring just to a simmer.
- Slowly whisk in cheese, one handful at a time, until smooth.
- Add cumin, salt, and pepper to taste. Keep warm.
Step 5: Assemble the Bowls
- Scoop rice into bowls.
- Top with sliced steak.
- Generously drizzle with warm queso sauce.
- Add avocado, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.
- Serve immediately!
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: ~45 minutes
🥄 Variations
- Chicken Queso Bowl: Substitute grilled chicken for steak
- Spicy Kick: Add cayenne or hot sauce to the queso
- Low-Carb Version: Use cauliflower rice instead of white rice
- Loaded Version: Add black beans, corn, or pico de gallo
- Vegetarian: Swap steak for grilled mushrooms or tofu
🧊 Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store components separately for 3–4 days
- Reheating: Microwave or gently heat on the stove (add a splash of milk to queso)
- Freezer: Queso doesn’t freeze well, but rice and steak can be frozen for up to 2 months
❓ 10 FAQs
- Can I use store-bought queso?
Yes, but homemade queso tastes fresher and richer. - How do I keep queso from clumping?
Add cheese slowly and whisk constantly over low heat. - Can I use instant rice?
Yes—adjust cook time accordingly. - Is it spicy?
It’s mildly spicy; omit jalapeño for a milder version. - Can I marinate the steak overnight?
Yes—longer marination boosts flavor. - What steak cut works best?
Flank, sirloin, or skirt steak are all great options. - How do I make this gluten-free?
Use certified gluten-free broth and ensure cheese is GF. - Can I meal prep this?
Absolutely! Just store rice, steak, and queso separately. - What cheese melts best?
Monterey Jack and cheddar both melt smoothly and taste great. - Can I add a fried egg on top?
Yes! It adds richness and looks beautiful.
🏁 Conclusion
This Steak & Queso Rice Bowl is everything you crave in a single dish—tender meat, creamy cheese, hearty rice, and fresh toppings. Whether it’s taco night, meal prep Sunday, or a casual dinner with friends, this bowl hits the spot every time. 🥩🧀🌿
Grab your fork (and maybe a tortilla chip), and dig into this bold and satisfying Tex-Mex treat!

Steak & Queso Rice Bowl – A Bold, Cheesy Tex-Mex Delight
Ingredients
Method
- In a bowl, mix powdered garlic, chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Rub mixture over steak and let rest for 15–30 minutes.
- In a saucepan, heat olive oil and sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds.
- Add rice and stir to coat in oil.
- Pour in broth, season with a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil.
- Cover and reduce to a simmer for 18–20 minutes until rice is tender. Fluff with a fork.
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook steak 3–4 minutes per side (depending on thickness).
- Rest steak for 5 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain.
- In a saucepan, melt butter and sauté garlic and jalapeños (if using).
- Stir in milk, bring just to a simmer.
- Slowly whisk in cheese, one handful at a time, until smooth.
- Add cumin, salt, and pepper to taste. Keep warm.
- Scoop rice into bowls.
- Top with sliced steak.
- Generously drizzle with warm queso sauce.
- Add avocado, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.
- Serve immediately!
Notes
Chicken Queso Bowl: Substitute grilled chicken for steak Spicy Kick: Add cayenne or hot sauce to the queso Low-Carb Version: Use cauliflower rice instead of white rice Loaded Version: Add black beans, corn, or pico de gallo Vegetarian: Swap steak for grilled mushrooms or tofu 🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator: Store components separately for 3–4 days Reheating: Microwave or gently heat on the stove (add a splash of milk to queso) Freezer: Queso doesn’t freeze well, but rice and steak can be frozen for up to 2 months ❓ 10 FAQs
Can I use store-bought queso?
Yes, but homemade queso tastes fresher and richer. How do I keep queso from clumping?
Add cheese slowly and whisk constantly over low heat. Can I use instant rice?
Yes—adjust cook time accordingly. Is it spicy?
It’s mildly spicy; omit jalapeño for a milder version. Can I marinate the steak overnight?
Yes—longer marination boosts flavor. What steak cut works best?
Flank, sirloin, or skirt steak are all great options. How do I make this gluten-free?
Use certified gluten-free broth and ensure cheese is GF. Can I meal prep this?
Absolutely! Just store rice, steak, and queso separately. What cheese melts best?
Monterey Jack and cheddar both melt smoothly and taste great. Can I add a fried egg on top?
Yes! It adds richness and looks beautiful. 🏁 Conclusion
This Steak & Queso Rice Bowl is everything you crave in a single dish—tender meat, creamy cheese, hearty rice, and fresh toppings. Whether it’s taco night, meal prep Sunday, or a casual dinner with friends, this bowl hits the spot every time. 🥩🧀🌿 Grab your fork (and maybe a tortilla chip), and dig into this bold and satisfying Tex-Mex treat!