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Steak Taco Bowl with Cilantro Jalapeño Sauce

These Steak Taco Bowls are my taco Tuesday go-to! They are easy to make and super customizable to make exactly how you like them. With juicy, seasoned steak bites, fluffy rice, and a creamy cilantro lime sauce, you’re going to find yourself coming back to this recipe again and again!

Steak taco bowls served with rice, guacamole, cilantro sauce and lime.

The Best Steak Taco Bowl Recipe!

If you love tacos (and who doesn’t?), you’re going to be obsessed with these bowls. They’ve got all the best taco flavors but without the tortillas. The air fried steak is tender and full of spice, the rice is simple and fluffy, and that jalapeño cilantro sauce? Let’s just say I drizzle it over everything.

They’re also great for meal prep, just store each component separately and assemble when you’re ready to eat!

Why You’ll Love This Mexican Steak Bowl

  • BIG taco flavor, no tortillas required. You still get all the bold taco vibes, just in an easy-to-eat bowl format that feels fresh and satisfying.
  • That cilantro jalapeño sauce. Creamy, zesty, and customizable depending on how spicy you like things. It truly makes the whole bowl.
  • Perfect for meal prep. Each component stores well on its own, making this an ideal make-ahead lunch or dinner option.
  • Easy but elevated. Simple ingredients, straightforward steps, and a final result that feels restaurant-worthy without the effort.

Steak Taco Bowl Ingredients

Ingredients needed to make steak taco bowls.
  • Sirloin steak: Lean, flavorful, and perfect for quick cooking. You can also use flank steak or skirt steak! Any steak that will be tender after a short cook is a good option.
  • Olive oil: Helps the steak brown and keeps it juicy.
  • Garlic powder, paprika, oregano, thyme: These are spices that
  • Salt and pepper: Essential for balance and bringing everything together.
  • Rice: A simple base that makes every bite hearty and satisfying.
  • Cilantro lime sauce ingredients: Mayo, Greek yogurt, garlic, jalapeño, lime juice, cilantro, and salt.

Steak Taco Bowl Variations & Substitutions

  • Swap sirloin for flank steak, skirt steak, or even ribeye if you want something richer.
  • Use brown rice or cilantro lime rice instead of plain white rice.
  • Make it low-carb by serving the steak and toppings over cauliflower rice or shredded lettuce.
  • Not a cilantro fan? Try blending the sauce with parsley or green onions instead.
Close up of steak taco bowl with guacamole and cilantro jalapeño sauce.

How to Make This Steak Taco Bowl Recipe

For the full ingredients and instructions, click here.
  1. Cook the Rice: Rinse the rice until water runs clear. Add to a pot with water, oil, and salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and cook on low for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, and set aside.
  2. Make the Sauce: Blend mayo, Greek yogurt, garlic, jalapeño, lime juice, cilantro, and salt until smooth. Adjust lime or salt to taste.
  3. Air Fry the Steak: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Toss steak cubes with oil and seasonings. Air fry for 6–7 minutes, shaking halfway, until browned and medium to medium-well. Let rest for 3 minutes. For more in depth instructions, check out my air fryer steak bites recipe.
  4. Assemble Bowls: Add rice to each bowl, top with steak bites, and drizzle generously with cilantro lime sauce. Garnish with extra cilantro, lime wedges, or avocado if desired.

Lauren’s Top Tips for the Best Steak Taco Bowls

  • Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. Work in batches if needed so the steak browns instead of steams. Each piece should have a little bit of space around it to help it brown!
  • Let the steak rest. A few minutes after cooking helps it stay juicy and tender.
  • Meal prep tip! Store rice, steak, and sauce separately so everything stays fresh for up to 4 days.
  • Use microwave rice for busy nights! The flavor’s still great with the sauce and steak combo, and it is so much easier.

How to Serve Your Steak Taco Bowl

Make these steak taco bowls your own! Add your favorite toppings like:

  • Fresh salsa or pico de gallo
  • Black beans or pinto beans
  • Corn or roasted corn salsa
  • Sliced avocado or guacamole
  • Pickled red onions or jalapeños
  • A squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of cotija cheese
Steak bites, rice, sauce and guac in a bowl.

Storage and Reheating

Serve these bowls warm with your favorite toppings like sliced avocado, pico de gallo, shredded lettuce, or extra lime wedges. They’re great for weeknight dinners, meal-prep lunches, or even a casual build-your-own bowl night!

Steak Taco Bowl FAQs

Can I cook the steak without an air fryer?

Definitely. You can sear it in a hot skillet over medium-high heat for about 2 to 3 minutes per side. I think that the air fryer is the easiest way to make these, though!

What kind of steak is good for taco bowls?

Flank, skirt, or ribeye all work well, just cut them into bite-size cubes before cooking.

What do you put in a steak bowl?

A base like rice or greens, seasoned steak, and toppings such as sauce, avocado, salsa, or veggies.

What’s a good marinade for steak bowl meat?

Simple marinades with oil, citrus, garlic, and spices work best. Even a quick dry seasoning like this one adds tons of flavor with minimal effort!

More Recipes to Try

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Bowl served rice, steak, cilantro sauce, guacamole and a lime wedge.

Steak Taco Bowl Recipe

These Steak Taco Bowls are my new taco Tuesday go-to! They are easy to make and super customizable to make exactly how you like them. With juicy, seasoned steak bites, fluffy rice, and a creamy cilantro lime sauce, you’re going to find yourself coming back to this recipe again and again!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 bowls
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Calories: 740

Ingredients
  

For the steak:
  • 2 lbs sirloin steak cut into cubes
  • ½ tbsp olive oil
  • 1 ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp oregano
  • ½ tsp thyme
For the taco sauce:
  • 1 cup low fat mayonnaise
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2-3 garlic cloves
  • 1 jalapeño
  • juice of 1-2 limes
  • bunch of cilantro
  • salt to taste
For the rice:
  • 1 ½ cups long grain white rice rinsed
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 tsp oil
  • 1 tsp salt

Method
 

Cook the Rice:
  1. Rinse the rice until water runs clear. Add to a pot with water, oil, and salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and cook on low for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, and set aside.
Make the Sauce:
  1. Blend mayo, Greek yogurt, garlic, jalapeño, lime juice, cilantro, and salt until smooth. Adjust lime or salt to taste.
Air Fry the Steak:
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Toss steak cubes with oil and seasonings. Air fry for 6–7 minutes, shaking halfway, until browned and medium to medium-well. Let rest for 3 minutes.
Assemble Bowls:
  1. Add rice to each bowl, top with steak bites, and drizzle generously with cilantro lime sauce. Garnish with extra cilantro, lime wedges, or avocado if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowlCalories: 740kcalCarbohydrates: 63gProtein: 58gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 149mgSodium: 2712mgPotassium: 944mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 245IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 131mgIron: 5mg

Notes

  • Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. Work in batches if needed so the steak browns instead of steams. Each piece should have a little bit of space around it to help it brown!
  • Let the steak rest. A few minutes after cooking helps it stay juicy and tender.
  • Meal prep tip! Store rice, steak, and sauce separately so everything stays fresh for up to 4 days.
  • Use microwave rice for busy nights! The flavor’s still great with the sauce and steak combo, and it is so much easier.
Make these steak taco bowls your own! Add your favorite toppings like:
  • Fresh salsa or pico de gallo
  • Black beans or pinto beans
  • Corn or roasted corn salsa
  • Sliced avocado or guacamole
  • Pickled red onions or jalapeños
  • A squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of cotija cheese

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!

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