Description
Bursting with Mexican-inspired flavors, this taco bowl fiesta delivers a delightful culinary journey through colorful ingredients and zesty seasonings. Layered with fresh vegetables, seasoned proteins, and tangy sauces, you’ll savor an explosion of textures and tastes in every satisfying bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) can sweet corn, drained and rinsed
- 1.5 cups white long-grain or brown rice
- 4 burrito-size flour tortillas (10–12 inches)
Rice Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 0.5 cup loosely packed cilantro, chopped
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- Dash of cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Meat and Taco Seasonings:
- 1 small onion, chopped (or 1 teaspoon onion powder)
- 4–6 garlic cloves, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 cup mild salsa
- 3 tablespoons mild diced green chilies (optional)
- 1–4 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 0.5 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for tortillas)
- Cooking spray
Optional Toppings:
- Chopped lettuce
- Guacam
Instructions
- Craft the zesty cilantro lime rice by combining rice, broth, and aromatic spices in a rice cooker. After cooking, fold in butter, fresh lime juice, and chopped cilantro, seasoning with salt and pepper to elevate the flavor profile.
- Prepare crispy taco bowl shells by preheating the oven to 350F. Lightly oil oven-safe bowls and position them on a baking sheet. In a skillet, carefully oil and toast tortillas until golden and bubbling, then drape them into the prepared bowls. Bake for 12-15 minutes until achieving a perfectly crisp texture.
- Create a flavor-packed base by charring corn in a hot skillet until lightly caramelized. Introduce black beans, warming them through and seasoning with salt and pepper. In the same pan, brown ground beef with onions and garlic, incorporating a vibrant blend of spices, salsa, and green chilies. Allow the mixture to simmer and meld together for 5 minutes.
- Construct the taco bowl by layering cilantro lime rice as the foundation. Generously top with seasoned beef, charred corn, and black beans. Garnish with crisp lettuce, creamy guacamole, fresh pico de gallo, tangy sour cream, and a sprinkle of cilantro. Finish with a squeeze of lime and optional crunchy tortilla chips for added texture.
Notes
- Customize Rice Variety by swapping white rice with brown, quinoa, or cauliflower rice for different nutritional profiles and dietary needs.
- Enhance Flavor Depth by toasting rice with a bit of butter before adding liquid, which creates a nutty, richer taste and prevents clumping.
- Control Spice Level by adjusting cayenne and chili powder quantities, allowing personalization for mild or bold palates.
- Make Meal Prep Friendly by preparing components separately and storing in airtight containers, enabling quick assembly during busy weekdays.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 555 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg