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Flavorful Mexican Taco Bowl

mexican taco bowl - featured image

A quick and easy Mexican taco bowl bursting with fresh, vibrant ingredients and bold flavors. Perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or casual family meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey for a lighter option)
  • 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade blend: chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cups cooked white or brown rice (about 400g cooked)
  • 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 ripe avocado, diced
  • 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce or mixed greens
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese (optional)
  • 1/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • Hot sauce or salsa, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook 1 cup (190g) uncooked white or brown rice according to package instructions (about 15-20 minutes). Fluff with a fork and set aside.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes.
  3. Sprinkle taco seasoning evenly over the beef. Pour in 1/4 cup (60ml) water and stir to combine. Let simmer for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Taste and adjust salt or pepper if needed.
  4. Warm 1 cup canned black beans in a small saucepan or microwave for 2-3 minutes.
  5. While beef cooks, halve cherry tomatoes, dice avocado, finely chop red onion and cilantro, and shred romaine lettuce or mixed greens.
  6. Assemble bowls by layering 1/2 cup cooked rice, 1/4 cup black beans, then a generous scoop of seasoned beef. Top with tomatoes, avocado, onion, cilantro, and lettuce.
  7. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons shredded cheese if using, and add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt on the side. Squeeze fresh lime juice over everything.
  8. Drizzle with hot sauce or salsa if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, use fresh ripe avocados and do not overcrowd the skillet when browning beef to get a nice caramelized crust. To keep avocado from browning, dice it last and toss with lime juice if prepping ahead. Store components separately for meal prep to avoid sogginess. Substitute ground beef with mushrooms or tofu for vegetarian option. Use cauliflower rice for low-carb version. Skip cheese and sour cream for dairy-free.

Nutrition

Keywords: Mexican taco bowl, easy taco bowl, ground beef taco bowl, quick Mexican recipe, healthy taco bowl, weeknight dinner, family meal