Steak and Rice Bowl

This flavorful steak and rice bowl is simple and straightforward. You get that smoky, savory bite from the steak, then bright, fresh flavors from the lime, herbs, and crunchy veggies.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

We do a Chipotle-style burrito bowl almost every week. Like clockwork. Steak, chicken, rice, and all the toppings for everyone to customize their bowl. It works. It always works. We hardly have any leftovers. Best part, you get more steak in every bite (sorry, not sorry lol).

smoky chipotle steak with rice, beans, and vegetables.

Jump to:

Reasons to Love This Chipotle Steak Bowl
Ingredients Breakdown
Tip for Success
How to Make a Steak and Rice Bowl
Customization Ideas
Storage and Reheating
Try These Next:
✅Recipe FAQS
📖 Recipe

It's hearty without feeling heavy, packed with protein, and perfect for busy nights. Plus, it's a great way to use up leftover rice or steak. Honestly, it's one of those meals you'll keep coming back to.

If you love a good protein bowl, then my Greek chicken kebab bowl, sweet potato Buddha bowl, or tri-color quinoa bowl should be right up your alley.

Reasons to Love This Chipotle Steak Bowl

Healthy: Steak is a great source of protein, and pairing it with carbohydrates like rice and fresh vegetables like corn, avocado, and bell pepper makes for a complete, filling, healthy meal.
Quick to make: This steak and rice bowl comes together in no time. All you need to do is prepare the vegetables, cook the rice, and cook the steak. Honestly, it takes about 30 minutes to make from scratch to table (excl prep and resting time).
Endless Customization: You can use different types of rice and vegetables for this bowl. Set up a "Make your own" Steak and rice bowl with other vegetables, such as asparagus, brussels sprouts, and more. Throw in some air-fried fish, honey-soy chicken drumsticks, or air-fried shrimp to give your guests a variety of options.

Ingredients Breakdown

Ingredient photo description for the rice bowl.

Steak: I reach for skirt steak. It cooks fast and has that deep, beefy flavor. It usually comes in long strips, so I cut it into smaller sections first (grouped by thickness). Makes flipping easier. Less chaos in the pan. You can swap in sirloin or chuck if that's what you've got.
Rice: I am using long-grain white rice for this recipe. You can swap it with jasmine, basmati, or brown rice. I've even done cauliflower rice for a healthier version.
Corn: Corn adds sweetness and texture to the rice bowl. It also complements the steak. Toss it with lime juice, cilantro, and jalapenos to wake up the flavors.
Bell peppers: Bell peppers are such a versatile vegetable that works deliciously well with rice and steak. I love the mild, sweet, and peppery flavor it adds to the dish.
Onion: I like purple onion for its sharp and punchy flavor. If that's too intense for you, go mellow with yellow onion.
Seasonings: I am using chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, garlic, and cumin to give the steak that deep, savory chipotle flavor. You can use steak seasoning or steak rubs as well if that's all you have on hand (taste will differ). Oregano and garlic to saute the veggies.

Please refer to the recipe card for the exact measurements.

Steak bites with grilled veggies in a bowl.

Pro tip

Tip for Success

Heat your pan well for a proper sear, and pat the steak dry if it has excess liquid before cooking. Cook in batches to avoid crowding. Let the steak rest, then slice against the grain for tender bites.
Use the right water-to-rice ratio for fluffy rice. Leftover rice? Reheat with a splash of lime or lemon, then toss with cilantro.
Save time with pre-sliced veggies. Swap in fire-roasted corn for extra flavor, or roast everything on a sheet pan. Cook the rice while the steak marinates, so it has time to cool before mixing with cilantro.

How to Make a Steak and Rice Bowl

Detailed instructions are outlined in the recipe card below, but here are a few steps with visuals to guide you:

Marinating the steak with chipotle peppers and steaming the rice.

Step 1: Blend your marinade. Toss the steak in it. Let it sit for about 30 minutes. Longer if you've got time, but 30 works.

Step 2: Cook your rice. I like to throw in a bay leaf.

Mixing the corn and cooking the black beans.

Step 3: Thaw the frozen corn, then transfer into a bowl. Add the lime juice, jalapeno, and salt to taste.

Step 4: Place the beans into a microwave-safe bowl, add the lime juice, cumin, salt, and black pepper to taste. Microwave and set aside.

Adding lemon and lime juice into the rice, then searing the steak.

Step 5: Fluff the rice with a fork. Hit it with lime, lemon, and cilantro. Woo chile, busin'!

Step 6: Sear the steak on both sides over medium-high heat, then place it on a cutting board and tent it with aluminum foil to rest. Slice once rested.

Sautéing the bell peppers, and onion and assembling the bowl.

Step 7: Heat the oil in the same skillet. Cook onions and peppers, then season them and cook for a few minutes. Remove from heat.

Step 8: To assemble, add the rice, fajita veggies, corn salsa, beans, and steak into 2 serving bowls. Top with guac or your fave dressing. Serve!

Customization Ideas

Make your Own Steak and Rice bowl: It is a perfect idea if you are hosting a BBQ
party or gathering at home. You can grill the steak side by side and serve both steamed and grilled vegetables.
Types of rice: You can use jasmine rice, brown rice, basmati, or even cauliflower rice for this dish.
Asian-inspired Marinate: You can marinate the steak with different marinades. For
For example, you can do a bulgogi or teriyaki marinate, which is a popular option, and pre-made Marinades are available at Asian stores for easy access.
Combination of Vegetables: This recipe is highly customizable. You can use different vegetables, such as asparagus, broccoli, zucchini, brussels sprouts, green beans, and even mushrooms in the bowl. You can also add raw vegetables like cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and carrots for an extra element of crunch and freshness.
Fresh salsa: You can also top the bowl with different varieties of salsa. Corn salsa, mango salsa, and pineapple salsa are the top choices if you like a fruity punch that balances the savory steak.
Top with Mayo sauce: You can use spicy chipotle mayo or make your own mayo sauce to add to the bowl. It gives a creamy element.

Burrito bowl with vegetables and guacamole.

Storage and Reheating

Store each component in an airtight container, except for the guacamole. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
To serve, add the rice, veggies, steak, and beans to a microwave-safe bowl and reheat for about 1 minute and 30 seconds, or until warm. Make a fresh batch of guac if using or drizzle with your favorite dressing.

Try These Next:

✅Recipe FAQS

Why is my rice so mushy?

You may have added too much water to the rice, resulting in mushy rice. It is important to understand how much water each type of rice needs and which cooking method you are using. If you are using long-grain white rice, you might need 1.5 cups of water for 1 cup of rice when cooking over the stovetop. Please check the ratio of water to rice along with the cooking method over the
package instructions.

How do I know when it's done?

Use a thermometer to check for doneness. 125°F for rare, 130-135°F for medium-rare, 140-145°F for medium. If you don't have a thermometer, use a finger test. Press with your finger; if it is soft, it is rare; if it's slightly springy, it's medium-rare; and if it's firm, it's well-done.

Have you given this recipe or any other from my website a try? Please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and sharing your experience in the 📝 comments section. Your feedback means the world to me, and I'm excited to hear from you!

PEACE & LOVE

Maureen

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won't cost you extra money, they will help us keep this site up and running! Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your continuous support.