This week we made delicious taco bowls. These easy ground beef taco bowls are one of my kid’s favorite recipes to make with me. They are a quick and easy dinner solution that is ready in under 30 minutes.
This is one of my favorite ground beef recipes. I don’t always make these taco bowls the same way and use whatever have in on hand so the final taco bowl recipe is always changing. I usually make a huge bowl and everyone serves themselves from it family style. You can also create individual taco bowls if you want to.
This taco bowl is in our regular weeknight dinner rotation. Because I always use what we have on hand it’s never quite the same so this dish never gets old.
How to make a great taco bowl
What I love about bowls is that you can play around with different ingredients. There is no right or wrong way to do this.
Grains:
I start my taco bowl with a base of grains. If you want a low carb or keto taco bowl you can eliminate the grains altogether and replace them for lettuce for a salad taco bowl. Here are some of my favorite grains to use when making taco bowls:
- rice, white or brown
- quinoa
- rice and quinoa blend
Protein:
There are lots of protein options when it comes to making taco bowls including vegan and vegetarian options. You can also add more than one protein! The key to giving taco bowls that “taco” flavor is making sure that you’re seasoning your protein with taco seasoning.
- ground beef: we like to use lean ground beef when making tacos or taco bowls
- ground turkey: this is a great option if you want to
- chicken: you can use cubed or shredded chicken
- pork: you can use shredded pork seasoned with taco seasoning or cut pork chops or pork loin into strips.
- shrimp: shrimp taco bowls are delicious and a great option when you want to change things around or want to avoid ground beef.
- fish: fish taco bowls are a great low calorie and healthy option.
- beans: if you want a meatless, vegetarian or vegan taco bowl opt for bean instead of animal protein.
- tofu: sprinkle your tofu with taco seasoning and pan fry for a crispy and flavorful vegan taco bowl.
Produce:
When creating a taco bowl I focus on ingredients I would regularly use when making tacos and also like to use whatever I have at home.
- red cabbage: I really like to add red cabbage not only for the flavor but also because it adds a lot of color to this dish.
- lettuce: shredded lettuce can be added to your taco bowl or used as a base instead of rice.
- tomato: you can use tomato or store-bought salsa
- onion: I like to use red onion or sweet onions
- avocado: I always use Hass avocados with a bit of lime juice and season with salt and pepper before adding to the taco bowl
- corn: you can use fresh or canned corn
- fresh cilantro
- jalapeños: sliced fresh jalapeños or pickled jalapeños are a great way to add some flavor and heat to your taco bowls.
Dairy:
For this recipe, I didn’t add any cheese or sour cream just because I didn’t have any. But cheese always makes tacos better! Here are a few options to choose from when it comes to adding dairy products to your taco bowls.
- sour cream: top your taco bowl with a dollup of sour cream
- yogurt: Greek yogurt is a great substitution to use instead of sour cream
- shredded cheese: you can use cheddar or a mixture of cheeses. I really like using the Mexican blend of shredded cheeses.
- crumbled cheese: queso fresco or asadero are great options for topping your taco bowl.
Other easy bowl recipes
- Orange Chipotle Shrimp Bowl
- Pork Fajita Bowl
- Cheesy Chicken Taco Bowl
Easy Ground Beef Taco Bowls
Ingredients
- 1lb lean ground beef
- 1 packet of taco seasoning, or 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp of onion powder and 1/2 tsp chili powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups of brown rice, cooked
- 1 hass avocado, sliced
- 1 1/2 cup black or red beans
- 1 cup of red cabbage, shredded
- 1 cup tomato, diced
- 1 cup of cooked corn, fresh or canned
Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. If needed add no-stick spray to the skillet. I don’t like to add oil as it makes the beef too greasy.
- Add the ground beef breaking it up with a wooden spoon until it is brown. Add the taco spice packet or your own taco spice blend and salt and pepper to taste. If you like your taco meat saucier add 1/4 cup of beef broth or water.
- Once the beef is cooked and at your desired saucyness remove from heat.
- Heat up the rice if it’s cold and assemble your taco bowls.
- To assemble add the rice to your taco and top with the taco meat, tomato, avocado, red cabbage, beans and corn. You can make one large taco bowl and let everyone serve themselves from it or make individual taco bowls.
- Serve with lime wedges and fresh cilantro.
- Feel free to add more ingredients like shredded cheese, sour cream, and sliced jalapeños.
Paula studied architecture and now makes a living as a freelance writer,traveler and amateur photographer.She started her writing & publishing career as the editor of Bebé y Mamá, the first parenting magazine in Guatemala.She is the founder of www.GrowingUpBilingual.com and www.365thingsswfl.com and writes articles in Spanish and English for both magazines and the web on travel,food and bicultural and bilingual parenting .
When she is not on a plane or road trip she likes to create recipes inspired in the flavors of her native Guatemala.
- Guatemalan Dulce de Chilacayote Recipe (Crystalized Chilacayote Candy) - February 26, 2024
- Guatemalan Naranjas en Miel Recipe (Candied Oranges Recipe) - February 25, 2024
- Traditional Guatemalan Candy - February 25, 2024
