Name: A Flavorful Recipe for a Quick Dinner Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 pound flank steak; 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes); 1/4 cup olive oil; 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon 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; 1/2 cup red onion, diced; 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional); Extra cilantro for garnish; Lime wedges for serving

Jump to Recipe

If you love bold flavors and meals that come together in a flash, you’re in for a treat with these Cilantro Lime Steak Bowls! This is truly A Flavorful Recipe for a Quick Dinner: juicy grilled steak bursting with citrusy marinade, nestled atop a bed of rice and topped with bright veggies and tangy feta. Every bite is zesty, hearty, and fresh, making dinner time something you’ll look forward to all week long.

A Flavorful Recipe for a Quick Dinner Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You won’t need a long shopping list for this recipe, but each ingredient plays a crucial role. From fresh citrus and cilantro to smoky spices and creamy avocado, every element in A Flavorful Recipe for a Quick Dinner adds a pop of taste, color, or texture that makes the finished bowls irresistible.

Flank steak: Lean, flavorful, and perfect for soaking up that vibrant marinade.
Fresh lime juice: Don’t use bottled! The punchy freshness is key to the tangy marinade.
Olive oil: Smooths out the marinade and helps prevent the steak from drying out as it cooks.
Fresh cilantro: Adds bright, herbal notes that really wake up your taste buds.
Garlic: Minced for maximum aroma and depth of flavor in the steak and throughout the bowl.
Ground cumin: Lends earthy warmth and a subtle smokiness that pairs perfectly with the steak and beans.
Chili powder: Wakes up the marinade with color and a gentle heat.
Salt: Simple but foundational, salt brings all those fabulous flavors into balance.
Black pepper: Just the right amount of bite for every layer of the bowl.
Cooked rice: Fluffy and versatile, rice serves as the satisfying base that soaks up the juices.
Black beans: Protein-packed, tender, and hearty, they bring substance and southwest flavor.
Corn: Sweet and juicy, corn pops with each bite—use fresh, frozen, or canned.
Cherry tomatoes: Adds bursty, fresh acidity for balance and color.
Avocado: Creamy slices lend richness and coolness to the bowl.
Red onion: For a sharp crunch and a punch of color.
Feta cheese (optional): A little bit of feta goes a long way—salty and tangy for a perfect finish.
Extra cilantro: Because more fresh herbs never hurt!
Lime wedges: For that extra squeeze of tartness right before serving.

How to Make A Flavorful Recipe for a Quick Dinner

Step 1: Make the Marinade

Grab a medium mixing bowl and whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. It will smell absolutely amazing and look gorgeous and green—this is where the magic starts! Whisk until everything’s unified, creating a punchy, fragrant base for your steak.

Step 2: Marinate the Steak

Slide your flank steak into a large zip-top bag or shallow dish, then pour that marinade all over it, making sure the steak is well coated. Seal it up or cover tightly, and let it take a flavor bath in the fridge. Thirty minutes is good, but two to four hours gets you the most flavor—prep it before work and you’ll thank yourself come dinner time.

Step 3: Cook the Rice

While the steak soaks up all those zesty notes, cook your rice according to the package directions. Brown rice brings extra nuttiness, fiber, and chew, but fluffy white rice is classic and delicious too.

Step 4: Warm Up the Beans

Pour your black beans (drained and rinsed) into a small saucepan and heat them over medium, stirring until warmed through—about five minutes. Feeling extra? Add a pinch of salt or cumin to amp up the flavor.

Step 5: Prepare the Corn

Use whatever corn you have handy—fresh, frozen, or canned. If you’re lucky enough to have fresh, boil or sauté until tender. Otherwise, just heat and go for frozen or canned. The goal: bright, sweet pops in every bowl.

Step 6: Grill the Steak

Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat and oil it well. Remove the steak from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Discard the leftover marinade—its job is done. Grill your steak 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare, or to your preferred doneness. You’ll love the sizzle and smells!

Step 7: Rest and Slice the Steak

Once grilled to perfection, transfer your steak to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. This resting step locks in those flavorful juices so they don’t run out when slicing. When ready, slice thinly against the grain for tenderness in every bite.

Step 8: Assemble Your Steak Bowls

Start with a generous scoop of rice in each bowl. Then, follow with warm black beans and a sprinkle of cooked corn. Arrange the sliced steak artfully on top, then finish with cherry tomatoes, creamy avocado slices, diced red onion, and crumbled feta if you’re feeling fancy. Don’t forget that extra cilantro and a wedge (or two) of lime!

How to Serve A Flavorful Recipe for a Quick Dinner

Garnishes

Extra cilantro brings out all the fresh, herbal notes of the marinade, while lime wedges let everyone add even more zesty zip at the table. Crumbled feta cheese is optional but highly recommended for that salty, creamy contrast with the steak and vegetables.

Side Dishes

This bowl is already a complete meal, but if you want a little extra, consider serving with crisp tortilla chips and salsa, a speedy cabbage slaw, or even a simple arugula salad for a peppery bite. These sides complement the boldness of A Flavorful Recipe for a Quick Dinner perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

Let everyone build their own bowl for a fun DIY dinner, stacking ingredients to taste. Or serve everything platter-style for a more festive presentation at a gathering. Top with pickled onions or serve with a drizzle of spicy crema for a showstopping finish that makes the most of A Flavorful Recipe for a Quick Dinner.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with leftovers (rare, but possible), keep the steak, rice, beans, and toppings in separate airtight containers. This keeps everything fresher—especially the veggies and avocado—and lets you build fresh bowls all week.

Freezing

Steak freezes beautifully! Place any leftover slices in a zip-top bag with a bit of the marinade (before it touched raw steak). Rice and beans also freeze well, but leave out the fresh toppings. Label, date, and you’ll have the best parts of A Flavorful Recipe for a Quick Dinner ready to go.

Reheating

For best results, reheat the steak gently in a skillet over medium-low heat or briefly in the microwave, just until warmed through—don’t overcook or it’ll get tough. Rice and beans also reheat well in the microwave with a splash of water to keep them moist. Add fresh avocado and tomatoes after everything is warm.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of steak?

Absolutely! While flank steak is ideal for this bowl thanks to its quick-cooking time and flavor, you can sub in skirt steak, sirloin, or even ribeye. Just adjust the cooking time based on thickness to keep things tender and juicy.

What can I use instead of cilantro?

If cilantro isn’t your thing, swap in flat-leaf parsley for an herbal note, or try a bit of fresh basil for something a little different. The marinade will still be delicious and vibrant, keeping that signature taste in A Flavorful Recipe for a Quick Dinner.

Is there a dairy-free version of this recipe?

Yes! Simply skip the feta cheese or use your favorite dairy-free crumbled cheese as a topping. All other ingredients are naturally dairy free, so you can easily make this bowl fit your needs.

How spicy is this dish?

The chili powder in the marinade adds warmth but not much heat. Want more kick? Add a pinch of cayenne, sliced jalapeños, or some hot sauce to your finished bowl to take A Flavorful Recipe for a Quick Dinner up a notch.

Can I meal prep these steak bowls?

This recipe is meal-prep heaven! Cook and slice your steak ahead, divvy up rice, beans, and veggies into individual containers, and grab n’ go all week. Just add avocado and fresh lime before eating for the best taste.

Final Thoughts

Few things beat the satisfaction of sitting down to A Flavorful Recipe for a Quick Dinner that looks beautiful, tastes incredible, and feels hearty and wholesome. These Cilantro Lime Steak Bowls are just the ticket for busy weeknights, meal prep, or fun gatherings—give them a try and let them become a new favorite at your table!

A Flavorful Recipe for a Quick Dinner Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 21 reviews

Author: lilan
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

Print Recipe

Description

These Cilantro Lime Steak Bowls are a delicious and easy-to-make dinner option that is bursting with fresh flavors. Tender grilled flank steak marinated in zesty lime and cilantro, served with a colorful medley of rice, beans, corn, and veggies, topped with creamy avocado and tangy feta cheese.

Instructions

Prepare Marinade: In a bowl, combine lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk well.
Marinate Steak: Place steak in a bag, pour marinade over it, coat well, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 4 hours.
Cook Rice: Prepare rice according to package instructions.
Heat Beans: Warm beans in a saucepan with salt or cumin.
Prepare Corn: Cook corn as desired.
Grill Steak: Grill steak for 4-5 minutes per side until desired doneness.
Rest and Slice: Let steak rest, then slice thinly against the grain.
Assemble Bowls: In bowls, layer rice, beans, corn, steak, tomatoes, avocado, onion, and feta.
Garnish and Serve: Top with cilantro, serve with lime wedges.

Notes

You can customize these bowls with your favorite toppings like salsa, sour cream, or hot sauce.
For a vegetarian option, substitute steak with grilled portobello mushrooms or tofu.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Grilling
Cuisine: Mexican