FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You Need My Taco Bowl Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Taco Bowls
• My Recipe Tips
• Topping Variations
• Storage & Meal Prep
• More Taco Inspired Recipes
• Taco Bowl (Easy 20-Min Recipe) Recipe card
• Gratitude Moment
• Recipe Reviews

I’ve been on a “bowl meals” kick lately, and this taco bowl recipe is my latest one on repeat. It was my random creation when I was tired of my usual burger bowls , egg roll bowls , and salmon bowls . I had all the ingredients I needed for my taco salad , but wanted something a little more hearty. Enter taco bowls! They’re a lot like my salad version, but with a base of rice and a creamy, dreamy cilantro sauce that ties everything together. Try them with me!

Why You Need My Taco Bowl Recipe

• So much flavor and texture – Between the zesty seasoned beef, crisp and juicy veggies, tender rice, and creamy cilantro sauce (oh, that sauce…), every bite of this Mexican taco bowl is a little different.
• Quick and easy – You can have this meal on the table in under 30 minutes. Which is it’s been on my dinner rotation on repeat.
• Totally customizable – Use regular rice or cauliflower rice (my go-to), and let each person choose their favorite toppings. It’s perfect for picky eaters.
• Healthier than traditional tacos – By skipping the fried shells and loading up on fresh veggies and lean protein, my taco bowls keep things light without skimping on flavor.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my taco bowl recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

Taco Meat:

I usually have my taco meat ready to go in the freezer. But if you don’t have any stashed away, you’ll need:

• Ground Beef – I get 85/15 grass-fed beef, which is flavorful without excess grease. Any variety you’ve got fine. You can even use ground turkey or chicken. I’ve also made these taco bowls with leftover barbacoa beef , chorizo , and carne asada .
• Avocado Oil – I like this because the mild flavor plays nice with the Mexican spices, but olive oil also works.
• Taco Seasoning – Whip up my homemade taco seasoning with chili powder, cumin, sea salt, black pepper, smoked paprika (sweet works too), oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and a dash of cayenne. If you’re using store-bought and it’s unsalted, add a teaspoon of salt per pound of meat.
• Water – If you’ve got beef broth on hand, using that instead of water adds even more flavor.

Taco Bowls:

I served this taco bowl recipe when my parents stayed with us, and between myself, my husband, my kids, and my parents, I had to customize the bowls in 4 different ways. But it’s easy to do! Here’s my base recipe, and you can leave out anything you don’t like:

• Cooked Rice – This is the base. You can use cooked white or brown rice, fresh cauliflower rice , or my cilantro lime riced cauliflower version. For a quick and easy option, I always keep frozen cauliflower rice on hand.
• Black Beans – Although optional, canned black beans make this dish more filling. My kids also like canned corn in theirs.
• Shredded Lettuce – I used romaine lettuce, but feel free to use your favorite kind.
• Fresh Tomatoes – If you have my fresh salsa , pico de gallo, or regular homemade salsa on hand, those work great, too.
• Avocado – I keep it simple with fresh avocado, but my homemade guacamole would also taste amazing.
• Onion – Thinly slice the red onion for a crisp, colorful bite. Yellow onion works, too.

Cilantro Sauce:

This is my favorite part of the taco bowl! It’s so simple, but cuts the heat of the taco meat perfectly.

• Sour Cream – A.k.a. the base. You can use Greek yogurt to lighten it up.
• Half and Half – This thins out the sauce, so you can drizzle it. You can use heavy cream for extra richness, or regular milk to make it lighter.
• Fresh Cilantro – The flavor part! If you’re not a fan, parsley will do the trick.
• Sea Salt – Feel free to throw in some black pepper, too.

How To Make Taco Bowls

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Brown the meat. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then toss in the ground beef. Break it up with a spatula and cook until browned.
2. Stir in the taco seasoning. If you like, add a 1/4 cup of water and let it simmer to make the meat more moist.

1. Assemble your taco bowls. Divide the cooked rice among 4 bowls. Top with lettuce, black beans, tomatoes, onions, and avocado. (This is where I customize each person’s bowl based on what they like!) Add the beef last, so it’s still warm.
2. Make the cilantro sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, half and half, fresh cilantro, and salt.

1. Top with sauce. Drizzle the sauce over each taco bowl. Enjoy!

My Recipe Tips

• Crank up the heat. For the best browning, I recommend a cast iron skillet , keeping the heat at medium-high, and not pulling it too soon. Look for those crispy browned edges you see in my pictures above.
• Drain the beef if you need to. I usually don’t with my 85/15 beef, but it’s a good idea if you use 80/20 beef.
• The amount of half and half (or milk or cream) you need can vary depending on how thick your sour cream is. Just add more if your sauce is too thick to drizzle.

Topping Variations

• Shredded Cheese – I didn’t add any this time, but many taco bowl recipes do. My family likes shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend when we do add it.
• Hot Sauce – While taco seasoning makes this dish mildly spicy, hot sauce makes a nice addition if you like extra heat.
• Lime Juice – Try a squeeze of lime at the end for extra zing. You can also whisk it into the sauce.
• Chips – Crumble my baked tortilla chips over your taco bowl for crunch, or serve them on the side with salsa, guac, or even queso dip . I also love using them to scoop up the last bits in the bowl.

Storage & Meal Prep

• Store: Pop any leftover taco bowl ingredients in separate airtight containers in the fridge. Beef and rice can last up to 3-5 days, while fresh veggies are best within 1-2 days. If you only have some parts left, toss them into my taco soup or taco casserole .
• Meal prep: These are awesome for meal prep! I pop the components in separate containers at the start of the week, then assemble them fresh when I’m ready to eat. Just wait to cut the avocado.
• Reheat: Warm up the rice and beef in the microwave or on the stovetop. If the beef seems a bit dry, add a splash of water.
• Freeze: Cooked taco meat and rice freeze well in zip lock bags for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before you reheat. Avoid freezing the fresh veggies and sauce.

More Taco Inspired Recipes

There are so many fun ways to enjoy taco night! Try some of my other favorites:

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

Taco Meat:

• 1 tbsp Avocado oil ▢
• 1 lb Ground beef ▢
• 2 tbsp Taco seasoning ▢
• 1/4 cup Water (optional) ▢

Bowls:

• 4 cups Cooked rice (or cauliflower rice ) ▢
• 1 cup Canned black beans (drained and rinsed; optional) ▢
• 1 cup Romaine lettuce (shredded) ▢
• 2 medium Roma tomatoes (diced) ▢
• 1 medium Avocado (sliced or diced) ▢
• 1/4 medium Red onion (sliced into thin quarter moons; ~1/3 cup) ▢

Sauce:

• 1/3 cup Sour cream ▢
• 1/4 cup Half and half (or milk or heavy cream; can use more as needed) ▢
• 1/3 cup Fresh cilantro measured packed, then chopped ▢
• 1/4 tsp Sea salt ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef. Cook the meat, breaking up with a spatula, for 8-10 minutes , until the beef is browned, and any moisture has cooked away.
2. Stir the taco seasoning into the ground beef, until well combined. If you like, you can also add 1/4 cup of water when adding the seasoning and let it simmer a bit.
3. Divide the cooked rice among 4 bowls. Top with lettuce, black beans, tomatoes, onions, and avocado. When the beef is done, add the ground beef.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, avocado oil, fresh cilantro, and salt. If the sauce is too thick to drizzle, add more half and half, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the consistency you like.
5. Drizzle the cilantro sauce over your taco bowls.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 taco bowl

Nutrition info does not include optional ingredients, and uses regular white rice. Use cauliflower rice to make this dish low carb.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Spring Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Taco Bowl

Gratitude Moment

If you’ve seen my recipe development process , you know that it takes a long time from when I develop a recipe to when it actually makes it on my blog. I developed this taco bowl recipe back in May.

But funny enough, the day I’m hitting publish, I’ve got taco bowls on my family’s meal plan for tonight! We’re leaving on a trip in a few days, so the timing couldn’t be more perfect. And every time I meal prep, I’m always grateful that I did.

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Taco Bowl (Easy 20-Min Recipe)

Whip up my taco bowl recipe with ground beef, rice, veggies, and a creamy cilantro sauce. A fresh, satisfying meal in only 20 minutes!

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/taco-bowl/

Ingredients

Taco Meat:

• 1 tbsp Avocado oil
• 1 lb Ground beef
• 2 tbsp Taco seasoning
• 1/4 cup Water (optional)

Bowls:

• 4 cups Cooked rice (or cauliflower rice )
• 1 cup Canned black beans (drained and rinsed; optional)
• 1 cup Romaine lettuce (shredded)
• 2 medium Roma tomatoes (diced)
• 1 medium Avocado (sliced or diced)
• 1/4 medium Red onion (sliced into thin quarter moons; ~1/3 cup)

Sauce:

• 1/3 cup Sour cream
• 1/4 cup Half and half (or milk or heavy cream; can use more as needed)
• 1/3 cup Fresh cilantro measured packed, then chopped
• 1/4 tsp Sea salt

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef. Cook the meat, breaking up with a spatula, for 8-10 minutes , until the beef is browned, and any moisture has cooked away.
2. Stir the taco seasoning into the ground beef, until well combined. If you like, you can also add 1/4 cup of water when adding the seasoning and let it simmer a bit.
3. Divide the cooked rice among 4 bowls. Top with lettuce, black beans, tomatoes, onions, and avocado. When the beef is done, add the ground beef.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, avocado oil, fresh cilantro, and salt. If the sauce is too thick to drizzle, add more half and half, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the consistency you like.
5. Drizzle the cilantro sauce over your taco bowls.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 taco bowl

Nutrition info does not include optional ingredients, and uses regular white rice. Use cauliflower rice to make this dish low carb.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Spring Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)