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A colorful Easy Cilantro Lime Steak Bowl with grilled steak and avocado.

Easy Cilantro Lime Steak Bowls: Healthy, Fast, and Delicious

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  • Author: Jennifer
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 bowls 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American, Mexican

Description

Tender marinated steak with a perfect char served over fluffy cilantro lime rice and topped with fresh, colorful ingredients for a restaurant-quality meal at home.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Steak Marinade:

  • 1.5 pounds flank steak or skirt steak
  • 1/3 cup fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

For the Rice & Base:

  • 3 cups cooked white rice
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup corn
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • Pinch of salt

For the Toppings:

  • 1 large avocado, sliced
  • 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup shredded cheese
  • 1/2 cup pico de gallo or salsa
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
  • 2 limes, cut into wedges

For the Creamy Dressing:

  • 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Whisk together lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Pour over steak in a zip-top bag or shallow dish. Marinate at least 30 minutes, ideally 2 to 4 hours, and up to 24 hours maximum.

2. Cook the rice if needed and while still hot stir in lime juice, chopped cilantro, and salt. Warm black beans with cumin and salt in a small saucepan. Char the corn in a dry skillet over medium-high heat until lightly browned. Prepare all toppings and mix together the dressing ingredients in a small bowl.

3. Remove steak from marinade and let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Pat completely dry. Heat a skillet or grill pan over high heat until very hot. Add a small amount of oil and sear steak for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until internal temperature reaches 130 to 135°F for medium-rare.

4. Transfer steak to a cutting board and rest for 10 minutes. Slice against the grain on a diagonal into thin strips.

5. Assemble bowls with a base of cilantro lime rice. Top with black beans, corn, sliced steak, avocado, red onion, tomatoes, and shredded cheese. Finish with pico de gallo, creamy dressing, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges.


Notes

For perfectly tender steak, cook to 130 to 135°F and allow it to rest for 10 minutes before slicing to retain juices.

Always slice steak against the grain to ensure maximum tenderness.

Layering warm rice with cool, fresh toppings and creamy dressing creates balanced flavor and texture in every bite.

These bowls are excellent for meal prep and can be stored in airtight containers for up to 4 days.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 520
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 680mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 8g
  • Protein: 38g
  • Cholesterol: 95mg