These Skirt Steak Rice Bowls are a celebration of fresh flavors and vibrant colors. Tender slices of grilled skirt steak rest on a bed of fluffy rice, while creamy avocado, sweet corn, and hearty black beans bring added texture and taste. A drizzle of cilantro lime sauce and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro elevate the dish even further, creating a balanced, satisfying meal.
Perfect for a weeknight dinner or meal prepping for the week ahead, these bowls are an easy yet impressive way to enjoy steak in a fresh, light way. The combination of smoky steak, zesty lime, and creamy avocado makes each bite irresistible. Plus, they’re fully customizable: swap the black beans for pinto or kidney beans, or add a dollop of sour cream if desired.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb skirt steak
- 1 cup jasmine rice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
- 1/2 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking steak)
- Lime wedges (for garnish)
Directions:
- Cook the rice according to the package instructions. Once cooked, set aside and fluff with a fork.
- In a small bowl, combine lime juice, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Rub this seasoning mix over the skirt steak.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the skirt steak and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until your desired doneness is reached.
- Remove the steak from the skillet and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
- To assemble the bowls, divide the rice between two bowls. Top with sliced skirt steak, avocado slices, fresh cilantro, corn, and black beans.
- Garnish with lime wedges and a drizzle of cilantro lime sauce, if desired.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes | Kcal: 550 kcal | Servings: 2 servings
Skirt Steak Rice Bowls: A Flavor-Packed Meal in a Bowl
If you’re craving a delicious and filling dinner that’s as easy to make as it is satisfying, these Skirt Steak Rice Bowls are the answer. A perfect balance of savory steak, fluffy rice, creamy avocado, and zesty lime, this dish is a delightful combination of textures and flavors. Whether you’re grilling outdoors or cooking on a stovetop, this recipe delivers a restaurant-quality meal right at home. It’s the ultimate weeknight dinner, packed with fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors that come together in a matter of minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
The star of this dish is the skirt steak—a flavorful, tender cut of beef that’s perfect for grilling or pan-searing. When cooked properly, skirt steak becomes incredibly juicy and tender, making it the perfect addition to any bowl. Pairing the steak with jasmine rice, a soft and aromatic variety of rice, gives the dish an incredible base that soaks up all the delicious flavors.
Adding toppings like avocado, cilantro, corn, and black beans gives the dish texture and extra layers of flavor, while the lime adds a burst of freshness that ties everything together. If you love Mexican-inspired flavors, this bowl will quickly become a favorite in your dinner rotation.
How to Make Skirt Steak Rice Bowls
1. Perfecting the Skirt Steak
To get the most out of your skirt steak, it’s important to season it well. A simple mix of lime juice, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper will infuse the steak with bold flavors. The seasoning is what makes this dish so aromatic and delicious. Be sure to let the steak marinate for at least 15 minutes before cooking (or longer if you have time). This helps tenderize the meat and allows the flavors to really seep in.
When cooking, you have a couple of options: you can either grill the steak over medium-high heat for about 4-5 minutes per side or cook it in a cast iron skillet or regular pan. If you go the skillet route, make sure the pan is very hot to ensure a beautiful sear and caramelization on the outside of the steak.
2. Building the Bowl
Once your steak is cooked and rested, it’s time to assemble the bowls. Begin with a base of jasmine rice, but feel free to use any rice you prefer, such as brown rice or quinoa, if you’d like to make it a bit healthier.
Top the rice with sliced skirt steak, making sure to slice the steak against the grain for maximum tenderness. This is a key step in making sure each bite is as easy to chew as it is flavorful. Then add your toppings: sliced avocado for creaminess, fresh cilantro for a bright, herbaceous note, corn for a touch of sweetness, and black beans for protein and extra texture.
3. The Finishing Touch
To elevate your bowl even further, add a squeeze of lime and, if you have it, a drizzle of cilantro lime sauce or even a spoonful of sour cream. This finishing touch enhances the flavors and adds a refreshing contrast to the savory steak and rice.
Tips for Success
- Rest the Steak: After grilling or pan-searing the skirt steak, let it rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures that the steak stays tender and juicy when sliced.
- Customize Your Bowl: Feel free to swap or add any of your favorite toppings. Tomatoes, pickled onions, or even a few crumbles of cheese (like cotija or feta) can add even more flavor to the bowl.
- Make It Spicy: If you enjoy a bit of heat, add some sliced jalapeños on top of the rice or a dash of hot sauce over the steak before serving.
- Add More Veggies: To make this dish even more veggie-packed, consider adding sautéed bell peppers, zucchini, or a handful of spinach to the bowl.
Meal Prep Friendly
These Skirt Steak Rice Bowls are also great for meal prep! You can cook the rice and steak in advance and store them in separate containers. When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat the rice and steak, then add fresh toppings like avocado and cilantro. This meal keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days, making it an excellent option for your weekly meal prep.
Serving Suggestions
This recipe is filling on its own, but if you’d like to add a side, consider serving these bowls with:
- A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette
- Grilled vegetables such as zucchini, asparagus, or bell peppers
- Tortilla chips or a side of salsa for a bit of crunch
Final Thoughts
Skirt Steak Rice Bowls are the perfect way to enjoy a hearty, flavorful meal without much fuss. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or for a family, this recipe is sure to please. The balance of smoky steak, creamy avocado, hearty beans, and fresh cilantro is a combination that can’t be beaten. Plus, the recipe is flexible—feel free to customize the toppings and make it your own.
Give this recipe a try tonight and discover why these steak bowls are destined to become your new favorite weeknight meal!
The Origins of Skirt Steak and Why It’s Perfect for Bowls
Skirt steak is a flavorful cut of beef that originates from the diaphragm muscle of the cow. Known for its rich taste and slightly chewy texture, skirt steak is often used in Mexican, Latin American, and Asian cuisines, particularly in dishes like fajitas, stir-fries, and tacos. Its long, flat shape makes it perfect for grilling or pan-searing, which helps to lock in juices while creating a deliciously caramelized exterior.
What makes skirt steak so perfect for this rice bowl is its ability to absorb marinades and seasonings, infusing the meat with bold flavors. When grilled or pan-seared properly, the steak is tender and flavorful, making it a satisfying protein to pair with a bed of rice and fresh vegetables. The quick cooking time of the skirt steak also ensures that this dish comes together in no time, perfect for busy weeknights.
Skirt Steak vs. Other Cuts of Beef
While skirt steak is a popular choice for this recipe, you can also substitute it with other cuts of beef. Here’s a quick guide to the best options:
- Flank Steak: Similar to skirt steak, flank steak is lean, flavorful, and perfect for quick cooking. It also benefits from marinating and should be sliced against the grain to maximize tenderness.
- Sirloin Steak: If you prefer a thicker cut, sirloin steak is a great option. It’s slightly less tender than skirt steak but still delivers plenty of flavor and is perfect for bowls.
- Ribeye Steak: For a richer, more marbled cut of beef, try ribeye. While it may not absorb marinades quite as well as skirt steak, its tenderness and juiciness make it a great choice if you’re craving something extra indulgent.
Variations to Make It Your Own
One of the best things about Skirt Steak Rice Bowls is that they’re completely customizable. Here are some fun variations to give the dish a unique twist:
1. Vegetarian Version
If you’re looking to make this recipe vegetarian, you can replace the skirt steak with grilled tofu, tempeh, or portobello mushrooms. These options can be marinated and grilled just like the steak, and they will absorb all the wonderful flavors of the seasonings. Add an extra serving of black beans, corn, or even roasted vegetables to ensure that your bowl is filling and nutritious.
2. Add a Sweet Touch
For a contrast of flavors, consider adding a touch of mango salsa or pineapple chunks to your bowl. The sweetness of the fruit will complement the savory steak and the other fresh toppings, creating a more balanced and complex flavor profile.
3. Spicy Skirt Steak Rice Bowls
If you love a bit of heat, kick up the spice factor by adding a few sliced jalapeños on top of the bowl, or drizzle it with sriracha or a spicy chipotle crema. You can also use chili powder or cayenne pepper in your marinade to give the steak an extra fiery kick.
4. Paleo or Keto Option
To make the recipe paleo or keto-friendly, swap out the rice for cauliflower rice or a bed of mixed greens. Cauliflower rice is a fantastic low-carb substitute that still offers a similar texture to regular rice, allowing you to enjoy all the flavors of the dish while sticking to your dietary goals.
How to Make the Best Rice for Your Bowls
The rice used in the bowl acts as the base for all the delicious toppings, so it’s important to get it just right. Here are some tips to ensure your rice is perfect every time:
- Rinse the Rice: Before cooking jasmine rice (or any rice), rinse it thoroughly under cold water. This helps to remove excess starch, which can cause the rice to become too sticky.
- Use the Right Ratio of Water to Rice: For jasmine rice, the ideal water-to-rice ratio is 1.5:1. This means for every 1 cup of rice, use 1.5 cups of water. If you prefer your rice softer, you can increase the water slightly.
- Flavor the Rice: To make the rice even more flavorful, you can cook it in chicken broth or vegetable broth instead of water. Adding a bay leaf, a dash of salt, or even a squeeze of lime juice while cooking will give it an extra burst of flavor that complements the rest of the dish.
Why This Recipe is Great for Meal Prep
This recipe is incredibly versatile and meal prep-friendly. Here are some reasons why it works so well for prepping ahead of time:
- The Steak: Skirt steak can be cooked in advance and sliced up for several meals. It stores well in the fridge for 3-4 days, so you can cook a batch of steak and use it throughout the week. Just reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop when you’re ready to eat.
- The Rice: Cook a large batch of rice at the start of the week and keep it in the fridge. Reheat the rice with a splash of water to fluff it back up before serving.
- Toppings: Most of the toppings (avocado, cilantro, corn, beans) can be prepped in advance. Just assemble the bowls in containers, leaving the avocado out until serving to keep it fresh.
- Portion Control: This recipe is easy to divide into individual portions for meal prep. Simply assemble everything in a container, and you’ll have a healthy, satisfying lunch or dinner ready to go.
Pairing Drinks with Skirt Steak Rice Bowls
When serving these rice bowls, a refreshing beverage can complement the dish perfectly. Consider pairing the bowls with one of these drink options:
- Iced Lime Tea: The tartness of lime in an iced tea matches wonderfully with the savory flavors of the steak and rice.
- Agua Fresca: A traditional Mexican drink made with fruit, water, and a little sugar. Hibiscus or melon agua fresca would be great for balancing the richness of the steak.
- Beer: A cold Mexican lager or light IPA will pair nicely with the bold flavors in the bowl.
- Sparkling Water: If you prefer something non-alcoholic, a crisp sparkling water with a splash of lime or cucumber will keep things light and refreshing.
Final Thoughts
The Skirt Steak Rice Bowl is an endlessly customizable dish that can cater to a variety of tastes, dietary preferences, and occasions. From the rich, smoky flavor of the skirt steak to the vibrant freshness of avocado and cilantro, this bowl delivers a satisfying and balanced meal in every bite. Whether you’re looking to keep it traditional or mix things up with some fun variations, this recipe is perfect for anyone who loves hearty, flavorful food.
By following the tips and variations provided, you can make these rice bowls your own and enjoy them any day of the week. Plus, since it’s meal prep-friendly, you can keep this recipe in your rotation for easy, quick, and delicious dinners all week long!
Conclusion
The Skirt Steak Rice Bowl is more than just a meal—it’s an experience. With its combination of juicy, flavorful steak, perfectly cooked rice, and fresh, vibrant toppings, this dish is both satisfying and full of layers of flavor. Whether you’re enjoying it on a busy weeknight or preparing it ahead for a healthy lunch, this bowl has everything you need: protein, healthy fats, fiber, and tons of fresh ingredients.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility. You can easily adapt it to fit your tastes or dietary needs—whether that’s swapping in a vegetarian protein, adding extra veggies, or making it spicy. It’s also perfect for meal prepping, ensuring that you always have a delicious, wholesome meal on hand.
We hope this Skirt Steak Rice Bowl becomes a go-to recipe in your rotation. With its quick preparation, simple ingredients, and endless customization options, it’s the perfect dish for any occasion—whether you’re cooking for yourself or serving family and friends.
Enjoy your bowl, and don’t forget to get creative with the toppings!