Steak & Queso Rice Bowl – A Bold, Cheesy Tex-Mex Delight

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

1. In a bowl, mix powdered garlic, chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper.
2. Rub mixture over steak and let rest for 15–30 minutes.

Step 2: Cook the Rice

1. In a saucepan, heat olive oil and sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds.
2. Add rice and stir to coat in oil.
3. Pour in broth, season with a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil.
4. Cover and reduce to a simmer for 18–20 minutes until rice is tender. Fluff with a fork.

Step 3: Sear the Steak

1. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Cook steak 3–4 minutes per side (depending on thickness).
3. Rest steak for 5 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain.

Step 4: Make the Queso Sauce

1. In a saucepan, melt butter and sauté garlic and jalapeños (if using).
2. Stir in milk, bring just to a simmer.
3. Slowly whisk in cheese, one handful at a time, until smooth.
4. Add cumin, salt, and pepper to taste. Keep warm.

Step 5: Assemble the Bowls

1. Scoop rice into bowls.
2. Top with sliced steak.
3. Generously drizzle with warm queso sauce.
4. Add avocado, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.
5. 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

1. Can I use store-bought queso?
   Yes, but homemade queso tastes fresher and richer.
2. How do I keep queso from clumping?
   Add cheese slowly and whisk constantly over low heat.
3. Can I use instant rice?
   Yes—adjust cook time accordingly.
4. Is it spicy?
   It’s mildly spicy; omit jalapeño for a milder version.
5. Can I marinate the steak overnight?
   Yes—longer marination boosts flavor.
6. What steak cut works best?
   Flank, sirloin, or skirt steak are all great options.
7. How do I make this gluten-free?
   Use certified gluten-free broth and ensure cheese is GF.
8. Can I meal prep this?
   Absolutely! Just store rice, steak, and queso separately.
9. What cheese melts best?
   Monterey Jack and cheddar both melt smoothly and taste great.
10. 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!

Adam

Steak & Queso Rice Bowl – A Bold, Cheesy Tex-Mex Delight

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.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

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

Method

 

Step 1: Marinate the Steak

1. In a bowl, mix powdered garlic, chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper.
2. Rub mixture over steak and let rest for 15–30 minutes.

Step 2: Cook the Rice

1. In a saucepan, heat olive oil and sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds.
2. Add rice and stir to coat in oil.
3. Pour in broth, season with a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil.
4. Cover and reduce to a simmer for 18–20 minutes until rice is tender. Fluff with a fork.

Step 3: Sear the Steak

1. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Cook steak 3–4 minutes per side (depending on thickness).
3. Rest steak for 5 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain.

Step 4: Make the Queso Sauce

1. In a saucepan, melt butter and sauté garlic and jalapeños (if using).
2. Stir in milk, bring just to a simmer.
3. Slowly whisk in cheese, one handful at a time, until smooth.
4. Add cumin, salt, and pepper to taste. Keep warm.

Step 5: Assemble the Bowls

1. Scoop rice into bowls.
2. Top with sliced steak.
3. Generously drizzle with warm queso sauce.
4. Add avocado, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.
5. Serve immediately!

Notes

🥄 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!