Indulge in a deliciously cheesy and savory meal with this Mexican Steak And Rice recipe! Tender steak bites, perfectly seasoned and cooked, are combined with creamy queso and fluffy rice to create a dish that’s bursting with flavor. Ideal for a hearty dinner that will please the whole family, this steak and rice recipe is quick, easy, and incredibly satisfying. Let’s get started on this mouthwatering meal!
Contents
Why Make Steak And Rice Mexican Style
Making Mexican Steak and Rice with Queso Cheese brings together robust flavors and textures that are irresistible. Tender steak seasoned with traditional Mexican spices like cumin and chili powder pairs perfectly with fluffy rice cooked in a savory tomato sauce. The addition of creamy queso cheese adds a rich and indulgent touch, making this this steak and rice bowl a comforting and satisfying meal that captures the essence of Mexican cuisine.
If you love this steak and rice recipe, you’ll also want to try Colombian Sabana De Res topped with Cojita Cheese.
Mexican Steak And Rice Ingredients
- White Rice: Serves as the base of the dish, providing a neutral backdrop that absorbs the flavors of the other ingredients, making it fluffy and tender when cooked.
- Vegetable Oil: Used for sautéing, it helps in cooking the onions and garlic, and searing the steak, adding a light flavor and preventing sticking.
- Onion: Adds a fundamental layer of flavor to the dish, with its sweetness intensifying as it cooks, contributing a rich depth to the rice.
- Minced Garlic: Infuses the dish with a pungent and aromatic flavor that is essential to building the savory base of the recipe.
- Chicken Broth: Used instead of water to cook the rice, it enriches the overall flavor of the dish, adding a subtle meaty essence.
- Tomato Sauce: Provides a tangy sweetness and a deep red color, enhancing the rice with a rich tomato flavor.
- Cumin: Offers a warm, earthy note with a hint of citrus, which complements the meats and spices in the dish.
- Smoked Paprika: Imparts a smoky flavor and vibrant color, elevating the savory notes of the recipe.
- Onion Powder: Enhances the overall onion flavor without adding additional texture, contributing a slightly sweet taste.
- Chili Powder: Adds a mild heat and complexity with its blend of spices, contributing to the depth of the dish’s flavor profile.
- Sirloin Steak: A lean and flavorful cut of beef that cooks quickly, providing a rich, meaty component that pairs well with the creamy queso.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps in caramelizing during cooking, offering a velvety finish to the steak.
- Gordo’s Queso Cheese Dip: Melty and creamy, this cheese dip brings a delightful cheesy texture and a savory, slightly spicy taste that binds all the elements of the dish.
- Chopped Parsley: Adds a fresh, herbal touch to the dish, enhancing its visual appeal and introducing a burst of color and freshness (optional for topping).
How To Make Steak And Rice Mexican Style
Step One: In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the rice and cook, stirring occasionally, until it starts to brown slightly.
Step Two: Once the rice is lightly toasted, add the onions and garlic, and sauté for 1-2 minutes on medium to low heat until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and tomato sauce into the skillet with the rice.
Step Three: Bring the mixture to a boil and allow it to boil for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then, cover the skillet, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
Step Four: While the rice is cooking, melt the butter in another large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced steak and seasonings, and stir to mix everything well.
Step Five: Cook the steak until it reaches your desired doneness, then remove it from the skillet. After the rice has simmered for 20 minutes, turn off the heat but keep the skillet covered. Allow the rice to sit undisturbed for another 10 minutes to continue absorbing the flavors.
Step Six: Fluff the cooked rice with a fork and transfer it to a serving plate. Top with the cooked steak. Drizzle warm queso cheese dip over the steak and rice. Garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro if desired.
Tips To Make The Best Steak And Rice Bowl
- Choose the Right Cut: Opt for a tender cut of steak like sirloin steak, flank steak or skirt steak. Marinate the steak beforehand for extra tenderness and flavor.
- Searing the Steak: Start by searing the steak over high heat to create a nice crust and seal in the juices. Cook to your desired level of doneness—medium-rare to medium is typically recommended for tender cuts.
- Resting: Let the steak rest for a few minutes after cooking before slicing it against the grain. This ensures the juices redistribute evenly throughout the meat, keeping it tender and flavorful.
Variations For This Steak And Rice Dish
- Green Chile Enchilada: Substitute the tomato sauce with green enchilada sauce for a tangy and slightly spicy flavor profile. Top with chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice before serving.
- Chipotle Infusion: Add chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce to the rice for a smoky and spicy kick. Mix in some black beans and corn kernels for added texture and flavor.
- Avocado Cream: Serve with a side of creamy avocado sauce or guacamole for a fresh and creamy contrast to the savory steak and rice.
How To Store Steak And Rice
- Refrigeration: Transfer any leftover steak and rice into airtight containers or resealable bags. Store them in the refrigerator promptly after cooking, ideally within 2 hours.
- Separate components: If possible, store the rice and steak separately to maintain their individual textures and flavors. This also helps in reheating them more evenly later.
- Reheating: Reheat your Mexican steak and rice in the microwave or on the stove until piping hot. Add a splash of water or broth to the rice to restore moisture if needed, and ensure the steak reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F
Best Way To Serve Mexican Steak And Rice With Queso Cheese
- Presentation: Arrange a generous portion of the steak and rice in a bowl or on a plate. I love a good steak and rice bowl!
- Garnish: Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro or parsley over the dish for a pop of color and fresh herbal flavor.
- Accompaniments: Serve with sides such as tortilla chips, a side salad with avocado, or a dollop of sour cream for added richness.
- Serving Suggestions: Offer lime wedges on the side for a citrusy touch, and perhaps some salsa or hot sauce for those who enjoy a bit of extra spice.
- Enjoy: Serve immediately while the cheese is still melty and the steak is tender, allowing everyone to dig in and savor the flavors of this comforting Mexican-inspired dish.
Should I Serve Steak And Rice With Sides?
This meal can be served on it’s own, however if sharing with a group and looking for steak and rice side dishes, I’d recommend the following:
- Vegetables: Grilled or Roasted Vegetables add a variety of textures and flavors that complement the savory steak and rice. They also provide vitamins and minerals, balancing out the meal with freshness and nutrition.
- Salad: A Fresh Green Salad provides a crisp contrast to the Mexican steak and rice. It adds brightness with its mix of vegetables and acidity from the vinaigrette, enhancing the overall dining experience.
- Guacamole: Creamy guacamole or avocado slices add richness and a smooth texture that pairs beautifully with the tender steak and fluffy rice. They also provide healthy fats that complement the meal.
- Beans: Refried Beans or Black Beans seasoned with Mexican spices offer a hearty and satisfying element to the dish. They provide protein and fiber, making the meal more filling and nutritious.
- Tortillas or Chips: Warm Tortillas or crispy chips serve as a versatile accompaniment for wrapping up the steak and rice or scooping up bites with salsa. They add a fun and interactive element to the meal.
- Salsa: Salsa, whether mild or spicy, adds a burst of flavor that enhances the steak and rice. It provides acidity and a touch of heat, balancing out the richness of the dish and adding depth of taste.
Can I Meal Prep Steak And Rice?
Steak and rice meal prep is easy. for convenient and delicious meals throughout the week. Prepare a large batch of steak and rice, then portion it into individual containers once cooled. Store these containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When ready to eat, simply reheat in the microwave or on the stove until heated through. This meal prep ensures you have a hearty and flavorful meal ready to enjoy with minimal effort during busy weekdays.
How Do I Prevent The Mexican Rice From Becoming Mushy?
To prevent rice from becoming mushy, ensure you use the correct ratio of liquid to rice. Typically, for Mexican rice dishes, the ratio is 1 cup of rice to 1 3/4 cups of liquid (combination of broth and tomato sauce).
Also, avoid stirring the rice too frequently while it’s cooking to maintain its texture. Once it’s done cooking, let it rest covered for a few minutes off the heat to finish steaming and fluff with a fork gently before serving. This method helps maintain the rice’s individual grains and ensures a perfect texture for your dish.
Mexcian Steak And Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup of white rice
- 3 tbsp of vegetable oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 8 oz can of tomato sauce
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1 lb sirloin steak sliced to your liking
- 2 tbsp butter
- 16 oz of Gordo’s queso cheese dip original flavor
- Chopped parsley for topping optional
Instructions
- Toast the Rice: In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the rice and cook, stirring occasionally, until it starts to brown slightly. Once the rice is lightly toasted, add the onions and garlic, and sauté for 1-2 minutes on medium to low heat until fragrant.
- Simmer the Rice: Pour in the chicken broth and tomato sauce into the skillet with the rice. Stir well to combine everything. Bring the mixture to a boil and allow it to boil for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then, cover the skillet, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
- Cook the Steak: While the rice is cooking, melt the butter in another large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced steak and seasonings, and stir to mix everything well. Cook the steak until it reaches your desired doneness, then remove it from the skillet.
- Rest the Rice: After the rice has simmered for 20 minutes, turn off the heat but keep the skillet covered. Allow the rice to sit undisturbed for another 10 minutes to continue absorbing the flavors.
- Serve: Fluff the cooked rice with a fork and transfer it to a serving plate. Top with the cooked steak. Drizzle warm queso cheese dip over the steak and rice. Garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro if desired.
