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A colorful burrito bowl with ground beef, rice, corn, salsa, avocado, shredded lettuce, sour cream, and tortilla chips.

Flavorful Taco Rice Bowls with Zesty Lime Crema

A hearty and customizable bowl featuring perfectly seasoned ground beef, fluffy rice, a vibrant array of fresh toppings, and a tangy lime crema, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex
Calories: 720

Ingredients
  

For the Taco Meat
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1 lb Ground beef 80/20 or leaner
  • 1/2 Yellow onion finely diced
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 packet Taco seasoning mix 1 oz
  • 1/2 cup Water
  • 1 can Diced tomatoes 14.5 oz, undrained
For the Fluffy Rice
  • 1 cup Long-grain white rice
  • 2 cups Water
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
For the Zesty Lime Crema
  • 1/2 cup Sour cream
  • 1 tbsp Fresh lime juice
  • 1 tbsp Fresh cilantro finely chopped
  • Pinch Salt
For Serving (Toppings)
  • 4 cups Shredded romaine lettuce
  • 1 cup Corn canned, frozen (thawed), or fresh
  • 1 can Black beans 15 oz, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup Cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 Ripe avocado diced
  • 1 cup Shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • Saucepan with lid
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Cutting Board
  • Chef’s Knife

Method
 

Prepare the Rice
  1. Combine the long-grain white rice, 2 cups water, and 1/2 tsp salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 15-18 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed and the rice is tender. Remove from heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
Cook the Taco Meat
  1. While the rice is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until fully browned. Drain any excess fat.
  2. Add the diced yellow onion to the skillet with the beef and cook for 3-5 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the taco seasoning mix, 1/2 cup water, and the undrained diced tomatoes. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly and flavors have melded. Keep warm.
Make the Lime Crema
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, fresh lime juice, chopped cilantro, and a pinch of salt until well combined and smooth.
Prepare Toppings and Assemble
  1. While the meat and rice are cooking, prepare your toppings: shred the romaine lettuce, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the avocado, and ensure your corn and black beans are ready.
  2. To assemble the taco rice bowls, divide the cooked rice among 4 serving bowls. Top each with an equal portion of the seasoned taco meat.
  3. Arrange the toppings over the meat and rice: shredded lettuce, corn, black beans, cherry tomatoes, diced avocado, and shredded cheese. Drizzle generously with the fresh lime crema.
  4. Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful Taco Rice Bowls!

Notes

Feel free to customize your taco rice bowl with your favorite toppings! Other great options include pickled jalapeños, salsa, hot sauce, green onions, or a sprinkle of cotija cheese. This recipe is also great for meal prep; simply store the components separately and assemble right before eating to keep everything fresh.