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Oh, friends, let’s talk about the ultimate bowl of comfort. This Easy Steak Queso Bowl is one of those meals that just hits every single spot. We’re talking juicy, perfectly seasoned grilled steak, fluffy rice, and hearty beans, all smothered in a creamy, dreamy, homemade queso sauce. It’s the kind of hearty, Western meal that feels like a weekend treat but is secretly so fast and easy, it’s perfect for any busy weeknight. It perfectly balances that stick to your ribs cozy feeling with wholesome, high protein ingredients.
Serving Versatility
This is one of my favorite meal ideas with steak because it’s so versatile! The “bowl” is just the beginning. You can take all these amazing components and wrap them up in a giant tortilla for a steak and queso burrito, serve the steak and toppings over a bed of crisp lettuce for a hearty salad, or portion everything into containers for the best meal prep ideas with steak all week long.
Full Recipe Section
Easy Steak Queso Bowl
Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Total time: 35 minutes Servings: 4 bowls Calories: Approximately 620 kcal per bowl
Ingredients:
- For the Steak:
- 1.5 lbs flank steak or sirloin
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- For the Queso:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1.5 cups whole milk
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained
- For the Bowls:
- 4 cups cooked rice (white or brown)
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup corn (frozen or canned, thawed)
- Optional Toppings: Sliced avocado, chopped cilantro, sour cream, jalapeños
Instructions:
- Prep Steak: Pat the steak dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Rub the spice blend all over the steak.
- Cook Steak: Heat the olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium high heat (or preheat your grill). Add the steak and cook for 4-6 minutes per side for medium rare, or until it reaches your desired doneness.
- Rest Steak: Transfer the cooked steak to a cutting board and let it rest for 10 minutes. This is crucial for a juicy steak!
- Make Queso: While the steak rests, make the queso. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, whisking constantly.
- Finish Queso: Slowly whisk in the milk until smooth. Bring to a simmer, whisking, until the sauce thickens (about 3-4 minutes). Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheese until melted. Add the entire can of diced tomatoes with green chiles and stir to combine. Keep warm on low heat.
- Slice Steak: Thinly slice the rested steak against the grain.
- Assemble: Build your bowls. Start with a base of warm rice. Top with a scoop of black beans, corn, and several slices of steak. Drizzle (or drench!) the creamy queso sauce all over the top. Garnish with avocado, cilantro, or your other favorite toppings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- So Fast & Easy: This entire, hearty meal comes together in about 30 minutes, making it one of the best easy dinner recipes with steak.
- Hearty & Satisfying: This is the perfect meal prep for blue collar men or anyone who needs a truly filling, protein packed meal.
- Incredible Cozy Flavor: The combination of seasoned steak and rich, creamy queso is pure comfort food.
- Great for Meal Prep: The components store and reheat beautifully, making it a fantastic prep ahead meal.
- Customizable: Everyone can build their own bowl! Add your favorite toppings, swap the rice for quinoa, or add sautéed peppers and onions.
Cultural or Cooking Technique Note
The “bowl” concept is a fantastic, modern way to enjoy deconstructed flavors. This recipe takes elements from a classic Western meal or Tex Mex platter (steak, cheese, beans, rice) and layers them in a cozy, easy to eat format. The star technique is making a simple “roux” (the butter and flour) for the queso, which creates a stable, creamy cheese sauce that won’t break or get grainy.
Serving Suggestions
- Classic Bowl: Serve exactly as the recipe directs, with rice, beans, corn, steak, and a generous pour of queso.
- Burrito Style: Pile all the ingredients into a large, warm flour tortilla and roll it up.
- Steak Salad: Serve the sliced steak, beans, and corn over a bed of chopped romaine lettuce. Use the queso as a delicious, warm dressing.
- Nacho Pile: Spoon the steak and queso over a bed of tortilla chips for the ultimate steak nachos.
Pro Tips for Success
- Slice Against the Grain: For tender steak, always look for the lines (the grain) in the meat and slice perpendicular to them.
- Shred Your Own Cheese: Pre shredded cheese has anti caking agents. For the creamiest, smoothest queso, buy a block of cheddar and shred it yourself.
- Don’t Boil the Queso: Once you add the cheese, keep the heat on low. Boiling cheese sauce can make it separate or become grainy.
- Rest Your Steak: Do not skip the 10 minute rest! It lets the juices redistribute, ensuring the steak is juicy and tender, not dry.
Storage & Reheating
- Storage: For best results, store the components (steak, rice, queso, and toppings) in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat the rice and steak gently in the microwave. Reheat the queso in a small saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of milk to loosen it up if needed. Assemble the bowls after reheating.
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This Easy Steak Queso Bowl is one of those recipes that makes everyone at the table happy. It’s so hearty, cheesy, and flavorful, and I just know you’re going to love how quickly it comes together. It’s one of my favorite meal ideas with steak! Give it a try and have fun building your own perfect bowl! If you make it, please leave a comment and a rating below. I can’t wait to hear what you think!
🎀 Final Thoughts
This is my go to “supper on the grill” meal when I want something impressive without a lot of fuss. It feels like such a treat, and my family just loves it. There’s just nothing cozier than a big bowl of steak and rice and queso. It’s a hug in a bowl, truly!