A vibrant and satisfying bowl featuring juicy flank steak, zesty cilantro-lime marinade, and fresh colorful toppings—perfect for a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These steak bowls are balanced, nutritious, and loaded with bold flavors. Juicy marinated steak, tangy rice, creamy avocado, crisp veggies, and beans come together to create a satisfying, restaurant-quality meal that’s easy to prep ahead or customize to your taste.

Cilantro Lime Steak Bowls

Ingredients

Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.

1 lb flank steak
¼ cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 avocado, sliced
½ cup red onion, diced
½ cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
Extra cilantro for garnish
Lime wedges for serving

Directions

Make marinade: Whisk lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.
Marinate steak: Place steak in a resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour marinade over it, seal or cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (2–4 hours is best).
Prepare sides: Cook rice per package instructions. Heat black beans in a saucepan (~5 minutes), seasoning if desired. Warm the corn.
Grill steak: Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat with light oil. Remove steak from marinade, discard excess. Grill 4–5 minutes per side (130 °F/54 °C for medium-rare).
Rest & slice: Let steak rest 5–10 minutes, then thinly slice against the grain.
Assemble bowls: Divide rice (½–1 cup) among bowls. Layer with beans, corn, steak, tomatoes, avocado, red onion, and feta (if using).
Garnish & serve: Top with extra cilantro and lime wedges for squeezing.

Servings and timing

Servings: 4 main-dish bowls
Prep time: 10 minutes (plus marinating time)
Cook time: 20–25 minutes (including sides and steak)
Total time: ~35 minutes active (plus up to 4 hours marinating)

Variations

Spicy flair: Add sliced jalapeños or drizzle with your favorite hot sauce.
Protein swap: Use skirt steak, sirloin, chicken breast, or tofu instead of flank steak.
Grain swap: Substitute quinoa or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
Topping ideas: Include roasted peppers, pickled onions, sliced radish, or shredded cheese.
Dairy-free: Skip feta or substitute with dairy-free cheese or seeds.

Storage/reheating

Flexible prep: Steak can be marinated and cooked ahead; rice, beans, and corn kept separate for easy reheating.
Refrigerator: Store components in sealed containers for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Warm steak gently in a pan or microwave; toss rice and beans with a splash of water before reheating. Add fresh toppings before serving.

FAQs

1. Can I skip marinating the steak?

You can grill without marinating, but the lime-cilantro flavor significantly enhances tenderness and taste.

2. How do I prevent overcooking the steak?

Use medium-high heat, and check with a meat thermometer. Remove at 130 °F for medium-rare; residual heat will bring it to 135–140 °F while resting.

3. Can I prep everything ahead of time?

Yes—marinate and cook steak; prepare rice, beans, and corn; store separately. Assemble bowls when ready to eat.

4. Can I use canned corn?

Absolutely—rinsed and drained canned corn works perfectly, or quickly heat in a pan.

5. What if I don’t eat cilantro?

Swap with chopped parsley or basil, or simply omit for milder flavor.

6. Is this gluten-free?

Yes—just ensure soy sauce or toppings are gluten-free.

7. Can I make this vegetarian?

Replace steak with grilled tofu, tempeh, or chickpeas seasoned similarly.

8. How spicy is this dish?

Mild—the chili powder adds warmth, but you can increase spice by adding jalapeño or hot sauce.

9. Can I use pre-cooked steak?

Yes—slice and reheat gently, or serve room-temperature over warm rice and beans.

10. Can this be binge-eaten?

Check calorie needs: approximately 500–600 calories per bowl depending on toppings—it’s balanced and filling for most dinners.

Conclusion

These Cilantro Lime Steak Bowls are a flavorful, fresh, and fast dinner option packed with colorful ingredients and zesty flavors. Easy to customize, great for meal prep, and loaded with protein and nutrition—this recipe is a winner for both weeknights and entertaining guests!

Ezabella