Easy Beef Taco in a Bowl Recipe
This taco in a bowl recipe takes taco fillings to a whole new level. Ground beef, homemade taco seasoning, Mexican rice, green chilies, salsa, black beans, and shredded cheese are topped with sour cream, avocado, and cilantro for a delicious taco meal without the shell. A taco rice bowl so perfect, you’ll want to save the leftovers for easy meal prep lunches.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What Makes This Recipe Great
I love tacos, and while there are a ton of options for gluten-free taco shells these days, sometimes I just want all the fillings, without a shell. Enter, this taco in a bowl recipe.
Move over burrito bowls, this beef taco rice bowl is the newest star! Filled with ground beef, homemade taco seasoning, Mexican rice, green chilies, salsa, black beans, and shredded cheese, these bowls are so delicious and satisfying.
They have all of the yummy taco flavors and ingredients, and you won’t even miss the shell. Top with avocado, sour cream, cilantro, or shredded cheese, and enjoy!
Ingredient Notes
For the full list of ingredients, please see the recipe card below.
Ground Beef: I used lean ground beef. If you use 80/20, you will need to drain the fat after sautéing it. You can also substitute ground turkey to make a turkey taco bowl.
Olive Oil: You can also use avocado oil.
Garlic: You can mince fresh garlic cloves or use a jar of minced garlic.
Green Chilies: Use a small can of mild green chilies.
Salsa: Use whichever brand is your favorite, and whichever spice level you prefer.
Black Beans: I like using black beans, but feel free to use pinto beans.
Shredded Cheese: If you are dairy free, you can omit this or use dairy-free cheese shreds. If you are okay with dairy, use whichever blend of shredded cheese you like.
White Rice: If you want to substitute brown rice instead, you can. You might need a bit more chicken broth if the brown rice absorbs more liquid.
Homemade Taco Seasoning: Instead of using a packet, I make my homemade taco seasoning by using 1 tbsp chili powder, 2 tsp cumin, 2 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp onion powder, 1.5 tsp paprika, 1.5 tsp oregano, and 1.5 tsp sea salt.
Recipe Step by Step
- Heat oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat.
- Saute the onions, pepper, and garlic for 2-3 minutes. Add the ground beef and saute while breaking it up with a wooden spoon until no pink remains.
- Add in the can of diced green chiles, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and oregano. Stir until combined and fragrant.
- Add in the tomato paste and salsa and stir. Pour in chicken broth, beans, and rice. Stir and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low for 16-18 minutes, occasionally stirring, until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
- Sprinkle the cheese on top, then cover again until the cheese is melted. You can keep it on low heat while it melts.
- Serve topped with avocado, cilantro, sour cream, or other desired toppings!
Mary’s Tips & Tricks
Turkey Taco Bowl: If you want, you can use ground turkey taco meat for this recipe instead of beef.
Corn: I didn’t add corn to my taco rice bowl, but you can if you would like to. Add one can of corn, but be sure to drain and rinse the corn before adding it to the skillet. Add the beans, then the corn.
Storage: Store leftovers without toppings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Serve with desired toppings when ready to eat.
Toppings: Top your taco rice bowl with shredded cheese, tortilla chips, sour cream, guacamole, avocado, and/or cilantro.
Meal Prep: For easy taco bowl meal prep, store each serving in its own container for a quick, grab-and-go lunch.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! For easy taco bowl meal prep, store each serving in its own container for a quick, grab-and-go lunch.
Yes! Use beyond meat or your favorite beef alternative and follow the same instructions to make a vegan taco bowl. Use vegan shredded cheese and vegan sour cream for the toppings.
Easy Beef Taco in a Bowl Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 (4.5 oz) can diced green chiles
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp cumin
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1.5 tsp paprika
- 1.5 tsp sea salt
- 1.5 tsp oregano
- ⅓ cup tomato paste
- ½ cup salsa
- 1 ⅓ cups long grain white rice
- 2 ¾ cups chicken broth
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese, or cheese of choice – feel free to use dairy free shreds!
Equipment
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat.
- Add the onions, pepper, and garlic and stir for 2-3 minutes. Add the ground beef and saute while breaking up with a wooden spoon until no pink remains.
- Add in the can of diced green chiles + the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and oregano and stir until combined and fragrant.
- Add in the tomato paste and salsa and stir. Pour in chicken broth, beans, and rice. Stir and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to medium low for 16-18 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and liquid has been absorbed.
- Add cheese on top, then cover again until the cheese is melted (you can keep it on low heat while it melts).
- Serve topped with avocado, cilantro, sour cream, or other desired toppings!
51 Comments on “Easy Beef Taco in a Bowl Recipe”
Made this for dinner tonight and even after letting it cook for over an hour the rice never did cook. Tried putting a lid on, adding more liquid (4 cups total), nothing worked. Eventually we were all so hungry we just ate it with crunchy rice. Flavor was ok.
Hi Jes- So sorry this didn’t work out for you – curious what kind of rice you used?
We love this recipe! My husband asked for it to become a regular rotation meal. It is packed with flavor and so easy to make. So versatile too! Makes a ton so you have leftovers to repurpose into a burrito another day and you don’t feel like you are eating the same thing over and over. Love love love this.
Thank you! Glad you love it!
Delicious!! We just tried this recipe and everyone loved it! Perfect for a Friday night dinner catching up on everyone’s week. My daughter said we should replace taco night with this recipe. Done and done! Thanks once again, Mary!
Aw love it – thanks, Maureen!
Do you think you could sub cauliflower rice for the white rice?
This recipe was fantastic! I used two small boxes of zatarains cilantro lime rice because it’s what I had on hand but otherwise followed the recipe. My husband raved about this one! Will definitely make again.
Thank you so much!
This one is perfection Mary!!! Absolutely love your recipes and so does my whole family. Thanks for making our meal times great ❤️
Thank you Ellen! Means a lot!!
Delicious! My 6 year old even loved it! It made a lot and I’m excited for the leftovers!
Perfect! So glad you both enjoyed it!
This was delicious! Quick, easy and full of flavor. Plus there’s enough for leftovers. Loved it!
Thanks Carrie!
Made tacos two nights ago and used the leftover meat in this! Came out amazing. Leftovers for lunch the next day.
Awesome, thanks Jac!
Jumping on the 5 star train. This is definitely a keeper recipe! Everyone loved it.
Yay! Thanks Mary!
This was great Mary!
I omitted the cheese and it was still so yummy!
It makes so much…can I freeze it?
Thank you! Yes you should be able to!
This was fantastic and can feed a crowd! My kids loved it, my husband loved it and I loved it. Thank you Mary for your creativity and work in sharing it.
Thank you Colleen!
So easy and delicious! Perfect for meal prep, it makes a huge batch! 🙂
Wonderful, thank you Emma!
This was a hit! My family loved this recipe! Best part… we had leftovers and I sent it in a thermos with my kids for lunch at school. It came together so quickly and tasted delicious. I will definitely be making this again!
Yay! Thanks Angie!
This was easy and delicious! For us, i would cut back the salt a bit. I will make this again.
Thank you Kim!
I loved this meal! So simple and delicious! I even made it for some friends and they really enjoyed it.
Thank you Hannah!
This was amazing! All 3 kids had a second serving and that is all you need to know. Well written and easy to follow recipe! Another winner. Thank you.
Thank you Kelly! Grateful for you!
Another easy, delicious recipe from Mary. I omitted the cheese but that didn’t sacrifice any flavor. Served with corn tortilla chips for a yummy dinner. It makes plenty for leftovers too
Thanks Lena! Glad it worked dairy free for you all!
This was so good. We loved it! This would make a great appetizer without the rice. So easy to make!
Thanks Dianne!
This was such a good meal! Whole family loved including my kid who “hates” tacos. they loved dipping chips in the meal. Highly recommend for an easy family meal.
Yay! Thanks Lauren!