My Fajita Steak and Rice Bowl combines tender marinated steak, sautéed peppers and onions, and fluffy rice, all topped with your favorite fixings. It’s an easy and customizable dish that brings the sizzle of fajitas into an incredible bowl format.
My house is full of boys that crave red meat. Therefore, I have lots of great steak recipes such as my air fryer rib eye steak and my crispy finger steaks recipe.
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Why this Steak Rice Bowl Recipe is a Keeper
I love to make this beef fajita recipe for taco night because it’s a great way to switch it up. It’s incredibly delicious and it’s super easy to customize.
- Flavorful Marinade: The steak is marinated in a blend of lime juice, garlic, and spices, ensuring each bite is packed with amazing flavor.
- Customizable: Easily adapt the bowl with your preferred toppings and sides.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Prepare components ahead of time for quick assembly during the week.
- Family Favorite: A dish that both adults and kids will enjoy, making dinner time a breeze. Everyones loves to build their own steak and rice bowl.
What is the Best Cut of Steak for Fajita Steak Bowls?
The best meat for fajita is flank steak. It’s commonly used due to its rich flavor and tender texture when sliced thinly against the grain.
Pro Tip for Cooking Steak and Rice Bowls
Steak Prep: Make sure that you give the steak at least the two hours to marinate, this allow the steak to absorb all the flavors, most importantly, make sure you allow the steak to rest before cutting so all the juices return to the meat.
Ingredient Notes to Make this Recipe
To make this steak burrito recipe recipe, there are just a few easy ingredients that are needed. They can all be found in the kitchen, at the store or can be substituted.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Flank Steak: This lean cut is perfect for marinating and grilling.
- Lime Juice: Adds acidity to tenderize the meat and enhance flavor.
- Bell Peppers and Onions: Classic fajita vegetables that add sweetness and crunch.
- Rice: Fluffy white rice serves as the base of the bowl; Lime Cilantro Fried Rice adds extra flavor.
- Optional Toppings: Some other great toppings include 4 Ingredient Guacamole, sour cream, Easy Pico de Gallo, shredded cheese, Black Bean and Corn Salsa and fresh cilantro.
Variations and Substitutions to Make Steak Bowls
This steak burrito bowl recipe is super easy to customize. I like to take it to the next level by using different ingredients or trying different flavors.
- Protein Alternatives: Substitute steak by making chicken bowls, shrimp bowls, salmon bowls or tofu for different dietary preferences.
- Grain Options: Use brown rice, cauliflower rice or quinoa as a base for your copycat chipotle burrito bowl.
- Vegetable Additions: Include mushrooms, zucchini, or corn for added variety to the tender steak.
- Spice Level: Adjust the heat by adding jalapeños or hot sauce to taste.
How to Make Fajita Steak and Rice Bowls
These bowls come together in 5 easy to follow steps. This delicious rice bowl is so good, it’s in my meal rotation at home.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Make the Steak Marinade: In a food processor, add the lime juice, water, olive oil, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper. Pulse until garlic is chopped.
- Let Meat Marinate: Place the marinade with the Certified Angus Beef strip steaks in a Ziploc bag and let marinate for a few hours.
- Cook the Vegetables: Heat butter and olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat and cook the onion and bell pepper with Fajita Seasoning. Stir in water, cover and remove from heat.
- Cook the Steak: Grill steaks to desired doneness and slice into strips.
- Assemble the Bowls: Add cilantro lime rice in the bottom of the serving bowls. Then add the steak bites, and cooked peppers and onions. Top with any of your favorite toppings.
Meal Prep Ahead Suggestions
When I prepare ingredients and steps ahead of time, it can help save me time and kitchen space when it comes to making the steak bowl recipe for dinner.
- Marinate Steak: Prepare the steak fajita marinade and let the steak soak overnight for maximum flavor.
- Cook the Rice: Make rice in advance and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Chop Vegetables: Slice peppers and onions ahead of time and store in airtight containers.
- Prepare Toppings: Make guacamole or salsa in advance to save time during assembly.
Alternate Cooking Methods for Flavorful Steak
In this recipe, there are a few things that need cooked. Luckily, there are a few ways to do that.
- Grilling: Sear the steak on an outdoor grill for a smoky flavor.
- Sheet Pan Method: Roast steak and vegetables together on a sheet pan for easy cleanup.
- Slow Cooker: Cook marinated steak in a slow cooker for a tender, pull-apart texture.
How to Store Steak Recipe, Reheat and Use Leftover Steak and Rice Bowl
- Storing: Keep components in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Warm leftover steak and vegetables in a skillet over medium heat or microwave until heated through.
- Using Leftovers: Repurpose into tacos, quesadillas, or salads for variety.
Common Questions About This Steak Fajita Bowl Recipe
Yes, another two of my favorite cuts of steak for fajita bowls include skirt steak or sirloin.
Marinating enhances flavor and tenderness, but if short on time, season the steak before cooking can suffice.
Expert Tips for Making This Easy Steak Recipe
- Slice Against the Grain: Cutting the steak against the grain ensures tenderness.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook vegetables in batches if necessary to achieve a good sear.
- Rest the Steak: Let the juicy steak rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to retain juices.
- Customize Toppings: Set up a toppings bar for family members to build your steak and rice bowls.
- Doneness: Check for doneness using a meat thermometer. Rare steak temps at 125°F, medium is 145°F and well done is 160°F.
- Serve this Recipe: Serve with a drizzle of Cilantro Lime Sauce, Mexican Street Corn Dip or Strawberry Basil Margarita.
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Fajita Steak and Rice Bowl
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Ingredients
Fajita Marinade
- ¼ cup Lime juice
- ⅓ cup Water
- 2 Tablespoons Olive oil
- 4 cloves Garlic, roughly chopped
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons Soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons Cumin
- 2 teaspoons Chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black pepper
Steak Fajita Bowls
- 4 Certified Angus Beef strip steaks, aprox. 8 ounces
- 2 Tablespoons Butter, divided
- 2 Tablespoons Olive oil, divided
- 2 Yellow onions, sliced
- 2 Bell peppers, sliced
- 3 teaspoons Fajita Seasoning
- ¼ cup Water
- 4 cups Cilantro lime rice, prepared
- Your favorite fajita toppings, such as sour cream, avocado, limes, cilantro, etc.
Instructions
Fajita Marinade
- Place all marinade ingredients into a small food processor.
- Pulse until garlic is finely chopped.
- Transfer marinade to a zipper bag.
- Add Certified Angus Beef strip steaks to bag.
- Refrigerate for 2-8 hours.
Steak Fajita Bowls
- Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- When butter has melted, add onions and cook until they soften and start to brown, about 10 minutes.
- Add remaining tablespoon of butter and olive oil to the skillet.
- Add peppers and Fajita Seasoning and cook until peppers soften and start browning, about 5 minutes.
- Add water to skillet and stir.
- Remove skillet from heat.
- Meanwhile, grill steak to desired doneness.
- Allow steak to rest for 3 minutes before slicing.
- Slice steak against the grain into strips.
- To assemble fajita bowls, place 1 cup of Cilantro Lime Rice in each bowl.
- Top each bowl with peppers and onions and steak slices.
- Add any of your favorite fajita toppings.
Christina’s Notes
- Use Flank or Skirt Steak: These cuts soak up marinade beautifully and cook quickly.
- Preheat Your Skillet: A hot pan ensures the steak gets that perfect sear.
- Let the Steak Rest: Give it time to rest before slicing so it stays juicy.
- Prep Ahead: Marinate the steak and chop veggies the night before for fast assembly.
- Build a Bowl Bar: Set out toppings buffet-style and let everyone create their own bowl.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided are estimates. It is recommended that you verify this information with your own trusted resource.
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This recipe is my personal adaption of an ethnic-inspired recipe. It is not intended to be an authentic recipe. I’ve recreated this recipe because I enjoy the flavors and I want to encourage my readers to expand their tastes and try new flavor combinations. The recipe, ingredients, and processes may have been adapted to make the recipe accessible to the average American. I have provided links to authentic versions of the recipe in the post above. I encourage you to visit these pages and learn more about the traditional version(s) of this recipe.