Taco Bowls (2024)

These taco bowls are easy, make ahead friendly, versatile and most importantly crave worthy!

This taco bowl recipe is a fiesta of vibrant flavors and textures that will satisfy even you pickiest eater! They are destined to become a go-to dinner for all those busy nights but they are equally fabulous for entertaining too (in the future of course) – taco bar anyone? These taco bowls are loaded with juicy ground beef or turkey (with other protein options too!), cilantro lime rice, lettuce, black beans, corn, guacamole, with tons of possible variations and add-ins.I’ve included how to make taco bowl shells (so easy, so good), or you can simply add the taco crunch with chips. This taco bowl recipe is perfect for meal prep lunches, make ahead dinners or QUICK AND EASY dinners – winner winner taco bowl dinner!

Taco bowls and burrito bowls are one of myall-timefavorite meals with their mountain of endless, satisfying ingredient combinations. If you love fiesta bowls like me, don’t miss these must try recipes: beef barbacoa taco bowls, chipotle chicken burrito bowls,chipotle lime shrimp burrito bowls, honey lime chicken fajita bowls,andfiesta ranch burrito bowlsand now these classic taco bowls!

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Taco BOWL RECIPE

Taco bowls with their layer upon layer of crunchy, creamy, juicy textures and savory, spicy, earthy, bright, tangy, fresh flavors is justsodeeply satisfying – I could eat bowls every day for the rest of my life! In additional to their rainbow stack of ingredients that always delights anew, you will love this taco bowl recipe because they are:

• Delicious: There are so many taco bowl recipes out there, but what makes this one spectacular is that each element is stand alone scrumptious, from the juicy, robustly seasoned taco meat spiked with salsa to the tangy salty guacamole or avocado crema, to the smoky, skillet charred sweet corn, to the dump and run buttery, zesty cilantro lime rice. Your family will also LOVE the easy, shatteringly crisp taco bowl shells!
• Easy:Just add your rice to your rice cooker (even my cilantro lime rice can be thrown into the rice cooker!), chop your fresh ingredients and cook up your taco meat in minutes.
• Customizable: Use all or some of the suggested fixings to completely customize your taco bowl recipe– use your favorite type of rice, protein, salsa, beans and add-ins or create a taco bowl bar. I’ve also included different protein options such as ground turkey, beef barbacoa, carnitas, carne asada, Mexican chicken, etc.
• Make ahead: You can prep the meat and rice 100% ahead of time and chop all of our toppings so your taco bowls can come together in minutes – literally – and taste just as fabulous!
• Meal prep: I’ve included meal prep instructions so you can enjoy these taco bowls throughout the week – wherever you are!
• Store & reheat well: Enjoy taco bowls for dinner then enjoy the equally delicious leftovers for lunch.
• Everyone loves them! Whether you serve taco bowls for dinner or at your next potluck (2022?), everyone will be back for more!

WHAT IS A TaCO BOWL?

If you’ve never enjoyed the pleasure of devouring a taco bowl before, let me introduce you! You’ve probably seen burrito bowls everywhere from Chipotle to Wahoo’s to Taco Bell. Well, a taco bowl is the same thing, but with the CRUNCH of chips or a taco bowl shell! A taco bowl is a deconstructed taco with all of your favorite taco filling ingredients – protein, cheese, corn, black beans, lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, sour cream, guacamole etc. served over a bowl of rice. It’s all the flavor – and then some!

What’s in These Taco Bowls?

These easy taco bowls can be customized however you see fit. Use all of the taco bowl toppings listed below, or mix and match your favorites! Consider this recipe a jumping off point for your own taco bowl creation.

THE TACO MEAT

For the taco meat itself, you’ll need the following:

• Ground beef: The best meat to use for taco meat is 85%-93% lean. The fat will give the ground beef juicy beefy flavor without all the dripping grease. You can also drain any extra grease before adding the rest of the ingredients.
• Onion: One small yellow onion will do the trick or you may substitute with 1 teaspoon onion powder. Add the onion powder when you add the rest of the seasonings.
• Garlic: Use 4-6 garlic cloves, or you may substitute with 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
• Taco seasoning: This taco bowl recipe is seasoned with a homemade taco seasoning made of chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper. I love making homemade taco seasoning because you can customize it to your palate.
• Diced green chiles: These come from a can and add a subtle tang to the ground beef tacos. They are optional, but I love the dimension they add. Take care you choose MILD chopped green chiles because the hot can is HOT. Mild green chiles, however, are more tangy than hot so you don’t have to worry about them making your taco meat spicy.
• Salsa: Amps up the flavor and makes the meat juicier. You can use mild or medium salsa and then adjust the cayenne pepper to taste. I use medium and also use ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper for a little kick.

Can I Use Ground Turkey?

Yes! This taco bowl recipe works fabulous with turkey as well. The salsa adds moisture so you won’t even notice you are using a lean protein.

If you really want the turkey to taste like ground beef, then I also suggest adding 2 teaspoons beef bouillon. I use this trick in my turkey tacos and turkey chili and it is AMAZING! It infuses the turkey with a rich, beefy flavor that will blow your mind!

Note: If you do use beef bouillon, omit the salt called for in the recipe and add salt to taste after the filling is combined with the salsa. Beef bouillon contains salt so you will likely need less salt than the recipe calls for.

Can I Use Another Protein?

I like the way you think! Yes! This taco bowl recipe can be made with virtually any protein you’d like. If making with a different protein, simply follow the directions for that recipe. When ready to assemble, evenly divide the rice between the taco shells, then top with the desired protein.

A few options include:

• Carne asada: juicy, marinated and spice rubbed steak
• Ancho spice rubbed steak: quick and easy, ancho spice rubbed steak without a marinade
• Carnitas: slow cooker pulled pork with glorious caramelized crispy ends
• Chipotle sweet pulled pork: juicy, saucy, sweet and spicy pulled pork
• Beef barbacoa: slow cooker tangy, smoky, rich, spicy juicy beef
• Slow cooker Mexican chicken: is an all-time reader favorite for classic, flavorful Mexican Chicken
• Honey lime salsa verde chicken: sweet and tangy slow cooker pulled chicken
• Mexican shredded chicken: boasts robust fiesta seasonings made with rotisserie chicken
• Cilantro lime chicken: zesty, tangy and citrusy
• Salsa verde chicken: tangy, flavorful with just the right amount of kick
• Chipotle chicken: smoky, robust and spicy
• Chili lime chicken: smoky, robust and tangy
• Chicken tinga:saucy, smoky, spicy and super QUICK to make

THE BOWLS

I’ve kept the bowl portion simple with rice, beans, and corn, but you can get as funky fiesta as you like!

• Tortillas: If you’re making homemade taco bowl shells, you’ll need large 10–12-inch flour tortillas, otherwise, crush up some homemade tortilla chips.
• Rice:You can keep it simple and season your white, brown or cauliflower rice with salt, pepper, lime juice or make myCilantro Lime Rice recipewhich is as easy as dumping all of the ingredients into a rice cooker. Just make sure your rice is independently seasoned and not bland.
• Black beans:Add a hearty, earthy flair. You may substitute with your favorite beans such as pinto or even chickpeas. I like to gently warm the beans just so they’re warm temperature and season with freshly cracked salt and pepper.
• Corn:When it’s in season, I recommend fresh sweet corn straight off the cob but you may also use canned sweet corn like I did in these photos. Either way, I recommend charring the corn in the skillet or on the grill for an added smoky depth of flavor like I do in myCorn SalsaandAvocado Corn Salsarecipes, then seasoning with freshly cracked salt.

THE TOPPINGS

You can get super creative with the toppings! Here are the toppings that I used followed by a list of topping variations:

• Cheese: Use either sharp, Monterrey, pepper Jack, Mexicana cheese or a combo. Because the cheese is added as a topping and not meant to melt, it is fine to use pre-shredded cheese (which I usually discourage against if melting).
• Lettuce:Romaine lettuce or iceberg lettuce will do the trick – anything with a nice crunch and neutral flavor. As with all the taco bowl recipe ingredients, use as much as you’d like.
• Pico de gallo:Is fresh tomato salsa that adds a vibrant, punchy freshness. You can use my homemadepico de gallorecipe or store bought.You can make thepico de galloahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Bring to room temperature before serving.
• Guacamole: Lusciously creamy, tangy, salty and OBSESSIVE worthy. Go all out and make with avocados, lime juice, cilantro, jalapenos, red onions, and juicy tomatoes, or keep it simple with just avocados, lime juice, salt and pepper.
• Sour cream or Mexican Crema: Its refreshing, bright, silky creaminess compliments and cuts through the rich taco meat and marries all of the flavors together.

Quick Topping Substitutions:

• Guacamole Alternative – Avocados: Chopped or sliced avocados are the easiest avocado option instead of guacamole and add a wonderful creaminess. Make sure to squeeze some freshly squeezed lime and freshly cracked salt over top.
• Guacamole Alternative – Avocado Crema: Is lusciously creamy, tangy, salty and OBSESSIVE worthy! It is made with avocado, sour cream or Greek yogurt, mayo, lime juice, salt, cumin and garlic powder whipped together in SECONDS in your blender.
• Pico de Gallo Alternative – Tomatoes:Seeded, chopped Roma tomatoes or halved cherry tomatoes for a juicy, vibrant win. You’ll also want to load on fresh cilantro if skip the pico de gallo for a fresh, zesty flair.

Recipe Variations to Try

These taco bowls can be customized in so many different ways. Here are a few ideas for switching up this easy recipe:

• Swap Protein:As previously discussed, these don’t have to be ground beef taco bowls, they can be any bowls you want! You can literally make a different taco bowl every time by swapping out the protein.
• Add Veggies: You can add any veggies your heart desires in addition to the corn such as bell peppers, zucchini, carrots, etc. You can lightly sauté the veggies separately or add them to the skillet with the beef. You can even add roasted veggies such as roasted sweet potatoes, butternut squash or cauliflower – yum!
• Add Fajita Peppers: Stir fried bell peppers with a little fajita or taco seasoning and a splash of lime juice are always tasty.
• Skip the Rice: For low carb options, you can skip the rice and double the beans and lettuce.
• Add Heat: Turn up the volume by adding a chopped jalapeno to the taco meat with the onions or add a few tablespoons of canned jalapenos to the cooked filling.You can also control the heat of the taco bowls by passing around the hot sauce.
• Add Pickle Red Onions: Because they make everything better! They are bright, tangy, punchy and slightly sweet with a subtle crunch that is mesmerizing! My homemade pickled red onions recipe is super simple with only 10 minutes prep and 30 minutes hand’s off pickling time. They also keep for weeks in the fridge.
• Melted Cheese: The cheese in taco bowls is generally a fresh topping, but you can also melt cheese directly in the meat filling. For even creamier, cheesier taco meat, add some cream cheese to the filling or you can even get a little crazy and pour some homemade or store bought queso over the ground beef – to live for!
• Add Fruit: I love adding either mangos or pineapple to my taco bowls. Their juicy sweetness offers a bright fresh contrast to the earthy flavors.You can add freshly chopped mangos and pineapple or mango salsaor pineapple salsa.
• Add Salsa: Go with traditionalrestaurant style salsa,or mix things up with chunky salsas withvarying textures and flavors like myblack bean corn salsa,avocado corn salsa orcharred corn salsa.
• Add Dressing: Instead of sour cream, try either Cilantro Lime DressingorTomatillo Avocado Ranch– they are SO addicting and make everything 10X better!

How to Make Taco Bowl Shells

Half the fun of eating taco bowls is the actual crunchy, taco bowl shells! These homemade taco bowl shells are puffy, bubbly and shatteringly crispy without deep frying. Instead, these taco bowl shells use a quick twostep process: First, the tortillas are flash fried in a skillet with a drizzle of oil for just 60-90 seconds each then the tortillas are baked in bowls.

Step One: Flash fry the tortillas

Heat one tablespoon of oil in a nonstick skillet, add one tortilla and turn to coat in the oil, then pan fry for 30-45 seconds per side. This step lightly coats the tortillas in oil so they get extra crispy in the oven and infuses them with air pockets which makes those irresistible bubbles appear so they puff up extra crispy when baked.

Step Two: Bake the Tortillas

Use tongs to transfer the pan fried tortilla to an oven proof bowl. The size of the bowl will determine the shape of your taco bowl shell. Push the tortilla snuggly into the bottom to fit the bowl but try not to burst any bubbles whole doing so. Repeat with the remaining tortillas, then bake at 350 degrees F for 12-15 minutes or until crispy.

How to Make Taco Bowls

• Make the rice: Before making the taco meat, add the rice to your rice cooker along with chicken broth, onion powder, garlic powder and ground cumin. You’ll stir in the butter, cilantro lime juice and salt and pepper to taste after the rice is cooked. If you don’t have a rice cooker, you can simmer the rice on the stove.
• Char the corn and warm the beans: Add the corn to a large cast iron skillet over high heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until corn starts to char approximately 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium, add beans and warm through.Transfer to a bowl.

• Prep the toppings While the rice is cooking, chop any veggies you intend to use as toppings.The amount of prep work for these taco bowls will depend on which toppings you want. You can go as simple as chopped tomatoes or a little more elaborate with pico de gallo; simple with sliced avocados or more elaborate with guacamole.

• Make the taco meat: Brown the ground beef and onions in a large skillet, breaking up clumps of beef as you cook. When almost browned, add all the seasonings and garlic and continue to cook until beef is completely cooked through. Drain off any excess grease (if there is any). Add the salsa and green chilies to the skillet.

• Assemble the taco bowls: Divide the rice between your bowls, then top with the taco meat. Pile with your desired toppings and dig in!

Tips for Making Taco Bowls

• Store bought toppings: Save time by purchasing store-bought pico de gallo, guacamole, salsa and even chopped lettuce.
• Prep ahead: You can also save time by prepping the toppings ahead of time.
• 90-second rice: Save time by using brown rice or quinoa packets which take 90 seconds to cook.
• Customize taco bowl ingredients: The ingredients and measurements are simply suggestions. You can use add/swap any ingredients for your favs.
• Vegetarian taco bowls: You can make the bowls vegetarian by swapping the ground beef for roasted veggies and using the same seasonings.
• Low-carb taco bowls: Make low-carb taco bowls by replacing the rice with cauliflower rice or extra beans and lettuce.
• Serve Chipotle style:You can create a taco bar like they do at Chipotle and let everyone build their own bowls.
• Transform leftovers into taco salad: Instead of warming up leftovers, add everything to a big bed of chopped Romaine lettuce and drizzle with Cilantro Lime Dressing or Tomatillo Avocado Ranch.

How to Meal Prep Taco Bowls

Taco bowls make excellent meal prep if you want to prep them ahead of time and serve later. Simply pack the warm ingredients together and the cold ingredients separately. Here’s how:

1. Divide rice between 4-6 containers.Top with taco meat, beans and corn.Don’t close containers until the taco meat has cooled.
2. Store remaining cool toppings in separate plastic bags or airtight containers so you can reheat the warm ingredients without wilting the fresh ingredients. Store these bags inside your meat container and takeout when reheating, or place them on top.
3. Refrigerate the bowls and toppings for 4-5 days.
4. When ready to use, warm the rice/taco meat/beans/corn together and then top with the prepared toppings.

How Long Do Taco Bowls Last?

Taco bowls will last approximately 4-5 days in the refrigerator. The cooked/warm components can be stored together — taco meat, rice, black beans and corn — and will allow you to heat them in the microwave without heating the fresh components.Store the fresh/cold components in separate containers — lettuce, tomatoes, etc. — so they don’t make each other soggy and stay as fresh as possible.

The taco bowl shells are best if made right before serving but can be stored for up to 48 hours, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap.

How to Reheat Taco Bowls

• To reheat on the stove: Transfer the rice, beans, corn and taco meat to a skillet and heat over medium heat until warmed through. Transfer to bowls and top with cool toppings.
• To reheat in the microwave: Heat the rice, beans, corn and taco meat in the microwave for 60 seconds then at 20-second intervals, as need.
• To reheat in the oven: The oven is better than the microwave if reheating the taco bowl shells (with or without filling). Transfer taco bowl shells to a baking sheet and bake at 375 degrees F until heated through.
• To reheat in the air fryer: Is optimal for the crunchiest taco bowl shells. Transfer taco bowl shells with filling and air fry for 8-10 minutes.

What to Serve with Taco Bowls

These taco bowls are a meal in and of themselves loaded with protein, veggies and carbs. Still, they are tasty with:

• Veggies: I HIGHLY encourage you to go with authentic elote (Mexican Grilled Street Corn) – you will not regret it! Other alternatives include grilled corn on the cob, baked asparagus, roasted broccoli, roasted potatoes, roasted cauliflower.
• Fruit: You can keep it simple and serve these taco bowls with cantaloupe, or grapes or any of these fabulous options: pina colada fruit salad, fruit salad with honey lime vinaigrette, grape salad, winter fruit salad, or caramelized grilled pineapple.
• Carbs: Corn casserole is a tasty, easy, creamy win or add some green chiles and or/ jalapenos to my sweet cornbread recipe and watch it disappear. Mexican Street Fries are also a favorite served with salsa ketchup.

Looking for More Easy Mexican Recipes?

• Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowls
• The BEST Ground Beef Tacos
• Baked Chicken Tacos
• Barbacoa Beef Taco Bowls
• Best Taco Salad
• Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas
• Chicken Fajitas
• One-Skillet Mexican Chicken and Rice
• All of my Mexican recipes!

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