If you’re looking for an easy, high-protein lunch that actually keeps you full (and tastes amazing), these Steak and Rice Bowls are it.
They’re perfect for meal prep—I make a batch at the beginning of the week and love having lunch ready to go in the fridge.
Tender steak, fluffy rice, and your favorite toppings all packed into one bowl = no thinking required when you’re starving at noon. It’s a simple, satisfying meal that checks all the boxes: easy, filling, and full of flavor.
Let’s make them…
Steak and Rice Bowls Ingredients
These Steak and Rice Bowls come together with a mix of fresh, flavorful ingredients that are easy to prep and totally customizable. From the juicy marinated steak to your favorite toppings, here’s everything you’ll need to build the perfect high-protein lunch bowl.
For the Steak Marinade
This steak marinade is what takes these bowls to the next level. It’s zesty, garlicky, and packed with fresh flavor from lime and cilantro—basically the perfect combo to make your steak tender and delicious. It comes together quickly with just a few pantry staples and totally transforms a simple cut of flank steak into something crave-worthy.
- Flank Steak: A lean, flavorful cut that soaks up marinade beautifully.
- Olive Oil: Can swap for avocado oil.
- Lime Zest + Juice: The combo of zest and juice gives the marinade a double punch of bright, citrusy flavor. The acid also helps tenderize the meat.
- Fresh Garlic: Adds bold, savory depth. Mince it finely so it blends well into the marinade.
- Chopped Cilantro: Brings a fresh, herby element that pairs perfectly with lime. Feel free to sprinkle a little extra on your finished bowls.
- Salt + Black Pepper: Don’t skip these! They balance the other flavors and enhance the marinade overall.
For the Bowls
Now for the fun part—the fillings! These bowls are super customizable, so feel free to mix and match with your favorite toppings. Here’s what we like to pile on, but don’t be afraid to get creative and add anything else you love!
- Rice: I love Trader Joe’s organic microwave jasmine rice for a quick rice option. Serve this over cauliflower rice for a lower-carb alternative.
- Fillings: Black beans, corn, pickled red onion, sliced radish, tomatoes, and any other favorite toppings!
For the Sauce
No bowl is complete without a little sauce on top! This simple lime crema is just two ingredients but adds the perfect tangy finish. I like to prep it ahead and pack it separately in mini salad dressing containers so it stays fresh until lunchtime.
- Sour Cream: Can sub with plain Greek yogurt.
- Lime Juice
Steak and Rice Bowls
These high-protein Steak and Rice Bowls are perfect for lunch meal prep—easy to customize, full of flavor, and topped with a simple lime crema.
Ingredients
For The Steak Marinade
- 2 lbs flank steak
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- Zest of 1 lime
- 2 limes, juiced
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
For The Bowls
- 6 cups cooked rice
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can corn, drained
- 1 red onion, pickled with red wine vinegar
- 1 cup radish, sliced
- 1 pint grape tomatoes, quartered
For the Lime Crema
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 lime, juiced
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
1. In a Ziploc bag, mix together oil, lime zest and juice, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, salt, and pepper. Add the flank steak to the bag and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (or up to a few hours -- the longer it marinates, the better!), then let it sit at room temp for about 15 minutes before searing.
2. To sear the steak, heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Place the marinated steak in the skillet. Sear for 4–5 minutes on each side, or until a nice crust forms and the internal temperature reaches your desired doneness (about 130–135°F for medium-rare). Remove from the pan and let it rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
3. To assemble the bowls, start with a base of rice or cauliflower rice, then layer on the sliced steak, black beans, corn, pickled red onion, sliced radish, tomatoes, and any other favorite toppings!
4. Make the lime crema and drizzle your bowls just before serving—or pack it separately if you're meal prepping. Feel free to top it off with extra cilantro, a squeeze of lime, or your favorite hot sauce!
