EASY TACO RICE BOWL

Imagine digging into a bowl bursting with savory taco-seasoned ground beef, fluffy rice, and all your favorite taco toppings! This Taco Rice Bowl is a flavor explosion that’s both comforting and incredibly easy to make. Ready to ditch the tortillas and embrace a new, delicious way to enjoy taco night? I promise you’ll love this customizable bowl!

Ingredients

For the Taco Meat:

• 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade blend)
• 1/2 cup water

For the Rice:

• 1 cup uncooked rice (white, brown, or your favorite)
• 2 cups water (or broth for extra flavor)

For the Spicy Honey Chicken (Optional):

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sriracha (or more, to taste)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Toppings (Get Creative!):

• Shredded lettuce
• Diced tomatoes
• Shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt
• Salsa
• Guacamole or avocado slices
• Diced red onion
• Cilantro
• Jalapeños (fresh or pickled)
• Corn kernels
• Black beans

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cooking the Rice:

1. Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps remove excess starch and prevents clumping.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine the rice and water (or broth). Bring to a boil over high heat.
3. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.
4. Fluff with a fork and set aside.

Making the Taco Meat:

1. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef (or turkey) over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease.
2. Stir in the taco seasoning and water. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
3. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Preparing the Spicy Honey Chicken (Optional):

1. In a bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, sriracha, garlic powder, and ginger.
2. Add the chicken pieces to the bowl and toss to coat evenly.
3. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes, or until cooked through and nicely glazed.

Assembling Your Taco Rice Bowl:

1. In a bowl, layer rice, taco meat, and (if using) spicy honey chicken.
2. Top with your favorite toppings! Go wild and make it your own.
3. Enjoy immediately!

Why This Taco Rice Bowl Recipe is a Game-Changer

Okay, let’s be real: Taco Tuesday can get a little repetitive. That’s where this Taco Rice Bowl comes in to save the day! It’s a fun, fresh way to enjoy all the flavors you love, but in a satisfying and customizable format. Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftover rice or taco meat. You can really make it your own. This recipe is a staple in my rotation of Rice Bowls Recipes.

One of the things I love most about this is how versatile it is. Feeling a bit blah? A sprinkle of extra chili powder in the taco meat adds a nice kick. Got leftover grilled veggies? Toss them in! The possibilities are endless.

Tips and Tricks for the Best Taco Rice Bowl

Rice Perfection:

Don’t underestimate the importance of good rice! I prefer long-grain white rice for its fluffy texture, but brown rice adds a nutty flavor and extra fiber. For an extra layer of deliciousness, cook the rice in chicken or vegetable broth instead of water. Trust me, it makes a difference!

Spice It Up (or Down!):

Not a fan of spicy food? No problem! Reduce the amount of sriracha in the spicy honey chicken, or simply omit it altogether. If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the taco meat. Just remember to taste as you go and adjust accordingly.

Make-Ahead Magic:

This Taco Rice Bowl is perfect for meal prepping! Cook the rice, taco meat, and spicy honey chicken ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to eat, simply assemble the bowls with your favorite toppings. This is a lifesaver on busy weeknights.

Variations to Keep Things Interesting

Vegetarian Taco Rice Bowl:

Swap out the ground beef for crumbled tofu or black beans. Season the tofu with taco seasoning and cook until browned. You can also add chopped vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and zucchini to the taco mixture for extra flavor and nutrients. This is a great way to make this recipe plant-based friendly.

Spicy Chorizo Taco Rice Bowl:

For a bolder flavor, use chorizo instead of ground beef. Chorizo is a spicy sausage that adds a ton of flavor to the taco meat. Be sure to drain off any excess grease after cooking the chorizo.

Fiesta Taco Rice Bowl:

Add a fiesta twist by incorporating ingredients like roasted corn, black beans, and diced avocado. A squeeze of lime juice over the finished bowl brightens up all the flavors. You might also enjoy my Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl for a similar flavor profile.

Level Up Your Taco Rice: Exploring Taco Meat Recipes

The beauty of this Taco Rice Bowl hinges on flavorful taco meat. While the standard ground beef and packet seasoning is a quick win, exploring different Taco Meat Recipes can seriously elevate your bowl game. Consider using shredded chicken slow-cooked with chipotle peppers for a smoky depth, or even seasoned shrimp for a lighter, coastal vibe. Thinking outside the beef box unlocks a world of delicious possibilities and keeps your Taco Rice adventures exciting.

The Joy of Rice Bowls Recipes: A Culinary Playground

This Taco Rice Bowl is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the wonderful world of Rice Bowls Recipes! I absolutely adore them because they are such a versatile and convenient way to enjoy a complete and balanced meal. They are incredibly customizable and you can use whatever ingredients you love or have on hand. You should also try my Firecracker Ground Chicken Bowl or my Chicken Enchilada Bowls!

Pairing Suggestions for your Taco Rice Bowl Recipe

Want to make it a complete meal? Consider serving your Taco Rice Bowl with a side of Mexican street corn salad or a simple green salad with a cilantro-lime dressing. A refreshing margarita or a cold Mexican beer also pairs perfectly with the flavors of this dish.

And for another fusion-inspired bowl, give my Egg Roll In A Bowl a try – it’s surprisingly satisfying! If you enjoy the Korean flavors, I highly recommend my Korean Bbq Steak Rice Bowls.

If you are feeling adventurous, why not try the Birria Tacos for your next taco night?

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. The toppings are best added fresh, so store them separately if possible.

So there you have it – my go-to Taco Rice Bowl Recipe! It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for busy weeknights, casual gatherings, or whenever you’re craving a delicious and satisfying meal. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different toppings and variations to create your own signature Taco Rice Bowl. Happy cooking!

Easy Taco Rice Bowl

Alice Yowell

This Taco Rice Bowl is a customizable and flavorful dish that combines taco-seasoned ground beef, fluffy rice, and your favorite taco toppings. It’s a fun and easy way to enjoy all the flavors of taco night in a satisfying bowl format, perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a casual gathering.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mexican-American

Servings 4

Calories 600 kcal

Equipment

• Medium saucepan
• Large skillet
• Mixing bowl (if making spicy honey chicken)
• Whisk (if making spicy honey chicken)
• Fork
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Cutting board
• Knife

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• ½ cup water
• 1 cup uncooked rice white, brown, or your favorite
• 2 cups water or broth
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces optional
• ¼ cup honey optional
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce optional
• 1 tablespoon sriracha or more, to taste) (optional
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder optional
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger optional
• Shredded lettuce
• Diced tomatoes
• Shredded cheese cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt
• Sals a
• Guacamole or avocado slices
• Diced red onion
• Cilantr o
• Corn kernels
• Black beans

Instructions

 

• Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
• In a medium saucepan, combine the rice and water (or broth). Bring to a boil over high heat.
• Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.
• Fluff with a fork and set aside.
• In a large skillet, brown the ground beef (or turkey) over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease.
• Stir in the taco seasoning and water. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
• Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
• In a bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, sriracha, garlic powder, and ginger (if making spicy honey chicken).
• Add the chicken pieces to the bowl and toss to coat evenly (if making spicy honey chicken).
• Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes, or until cooked through and nicely glazed (if making spicy honey chicken).
• In a bowl, layer rice, taco meat, and (if using) spicy honey chicken.
• Top with your favorite toppings.
• Enjoy immediately!

Notes

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. The toppings are best added fresh, so store them separately if possible. For a vegetarian option, swap the ground beef for crumbled tofu or black beans. For a spicier version, use chorizo instead of ground beef. Feel free to experiment with different toppings and variations to create your own signature Taco Rice Bowl.