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A vibrant overhead shot of delicious Cilantro lime steak bowls featuring perfectly cooked steak, rice, avocado, corn, and fresh herbs.
Reda

Zesty Cilantro Lime Steak Bowls

Savor a vibrant and fresh Cilantro Lime Steak Bowl featuring tender, marinated steak, fluffy cilantro-lime rice, and a medley of colorful toppings for a quick and satisfying meal.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Calories: 720

Ingredients
  

For the Cilantro Lime Steak
  • 1.5 lbs Flank steak
  • 3 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1/4 cup Lime juice
  • 1/4 cup Fresh cilantro chopped
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 tsp Cumin
  • 1/2 tsp Chili powder
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Black pepper
For the Cilantro Lime Rice
  • 1 cup Basmati or long-grain rice uncooked
  • 2 cups Water or chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp Lime juice
  • 1/4 cup Fresh cilantro chopped
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
For the Bowls & Toppings
  • 1 can (15 oz) Black beans rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup Corn frozen or canned, drained
  • 2 Avocados diced
  • 1/4 Red onion thinly sliced or diced
  • 1/2 cup Salsa
  • 1/4 cup Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt for serving
  • 4 Lime wedges for serving

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Cast iron skillet or grill pan
  • Saucepan with lid

Method
 

Prepare the Steak Marinade
  1. In a large bowl, combine 3 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 cup lime juice, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 3 cloves minced garlic, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add the flank steak, ensuring it's fully coated in the marinade. Let it marinate at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours for deeper flavor.
Cook the Cilantro Lime Rice
  1. Rinse 1 cup of basmati or long-grain rice thoroughly. In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice, 2 cups water or chicken broth, and 1/2 tsp salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, then stir in 2 tbsp lime juice and 1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro.
Prepare Toppings and Cook Steak
  1. While the rice cooks and steak marinates, prepare your toppings: dice the avocados, thinly slice or dice the red onion, rinse and drain the black beans, and thaw or drain the corn.
  2. Heat a cast-iron skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat until it's very hot. Remove the steak from the marinade, discarding any excess marinade. Sear the steak for 4-6 minutes per side for medium-rare, or adjust cooking time to your desired level of doneness.
  3. Transfer the cooked steak to a cutting board and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This is crucial for keeping the steak juicy. After resting, slice the steak thinly against the grain.
Assemble the Bowls
  1. Divide the fluffy cilantro-lime rice among 4 serving bowls. Top each bowl generously with the sliced steak, black beans, corn, diced avocado, sliced red onion, a spoonful of salsa, and a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt. Garnish with fresh lime wedges and extra cilantro if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

For an added spicy kick, include a pinch of red pepper flakes in the steak marinade. Leftover Cilantro Lime Steak Bowl components can be stored separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat steak and rice gently before reassembling.