Name: Steak Queso Rice : A Flavorful Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients: 1 lb steak strips (sirloin, flank, or ribeye); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon paprika; ½ teaspoon cumin; 1 cup jasmine or basmati rice; 2 cups beef broth; 1 tablespoon butter; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese; ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese; ¾ cup heavy cream; 2 tablespoons cream cheese; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for spice); 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped; 1 jalapeño, sliced; 1 tablespoon sour cream; ½ cup diced tomatoes

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Get ready to meet your new dinner obsession: Steak Queso Rice : A Flavorful Recipe. This dish is pure comfort in a bowl, bringing together juicy strips of seasoned steak, fluffy rice simmered in savory beef broth, and a decadent homemade queso sauce that dreams are made of. Every bite is loaded with bold flavors, creamy textures, and pops of freshness, making it a show-stopping meal for busy weeknights or special occasions alike.

Steak Queso Rice : A Flavorful Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What I love about Steak Queso Rice : A Flavorful Recipe is how it transforms a few staple ingredients into something truly crave-worthy. Each component plays a crucial role in building the dish’s big, bold flavor profile and vibrant colors!

Steak strips (sirloin, flank, or ribeye): Choose a cut with nice marbling for tenderness—just a quick sear and you’ll have melt-in-your-mouth meat.
Olive oil: Brings richness to the steak and ensures a perfect, golden brown sear.
Salt and black pepper: These essential seasonings let the steak truly shine.
Garlic powder, paprika, cumin: This trio creates that mouthwatering, smoky depth in the steak—absolutely key.
Jasmine or basmati rice: These fragrant rices soak up flavor beautifully and stay fluffy in the bowl.
Beef broth: Infuses every grain of rice with umami, making it anything but boring.
Butter: Adds richness to the rice and helps it come together flawlessly.
White cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese: A dynamic duo for the creamiest, tangiest queso sauce.
Heavy cream and cream cheese: They’re responsible for making your queso impossibly velvety.
Cayenne pepper (optional): Throw in a dash if you like your queso with a kick!
Fresh cilantro, jalapeño, sour cream, diced tomatoes (optional toppings): These final touches add pops of color and a burst of freshness.

How to Make Steak Queso Rice : A Flavorful Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Rice

Start by building the base of our Steak Queso Rice : A Flavorful Recipe. In a medium saucepan, bring beef broth, butter, salt, garlic powder, and smoked paprika to a boil—this step infuses the rice with rich, savory notes right from the start. Add the uncooked jasmine or basmati rice, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it work its magic for 15 to 18 minutes. When the liquid’s absorbed and the rice is fluffy, fluff it with a fork and set aside while you get everything else ready.

Step 2: Season and Cook the Steak

Now it’s steak time! Toss the steak strips with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cumin until each piece is coated in an irresistible mix of spices. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, lay the steak pieces in a single layer for that perfect sizzle. Cook them for 3 to 4 minutes per side, getting a good sear and juicy center. Once cooked to your preferred doneness, let the steak rest for five minutes (this keeps it extra juicy).

Step 3: Prepare the Queso Sauce

Onto what might be the best part: the queso! In a small saucepan over low heat, warm up the heavy cream, then stir in the cream cheese until melted and silky. Gradually add the white cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, stirring constantly for the smoothest, dreamiest queso. Sprinkle in garlic powder and, if you’re feeling bold, a pinch of cayenne for a subtle kick. Keep the queso warm and gooey on the lowest heat until you’re ready to serve.

Step 4: Assemble the Steak Queso Rice Bowl

Let’s bring it all together! Divide your richly flavored rice between serving bowls. Gently lay those juicy steak strips over the rice, and then be generous with the queso sauce, drizzling it over everything so it melts into every nook and cranny. This is the magic moment when Steak Queso Rice : A Flavorful Recipe truly comes to life!

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Finish your masterpiece with any (or all!) of the optional toppings: scatter on some chopped cilantro for herbal brightness, a few rounds of fresh jalapeño if you love heat, a dollop of tangy sour cream, and a handful of juicy diced tomatoes for color and freshness. Grab your spoon—you won’t want to wait another second.

How to Serve Steak Queso Rice : A Flavorful Recipe

Garnishes

A big bowl of Steak Queso Rice : A Flavorful Recipe becomes even more irresistible with the right garnishes. Fresh cilantro brightens the entire dish and adds an aromatic pop. Try thinly sliced fresh jalapeños for a gentle, crunchy heat, and don’t forget a generous spoonful of diced tomatoes for juicy contrast. I also love a swirl of cool sour cream on top—it’s perfect with the warm, melty queso!

Side Dishes

This dish is pretty much a meal in itself, but it pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or roasted veggies for something lighter. Warm tortillas (flour or corn) are fantastic for scooping up steak and rice with that dreamy sauce. If you’re serving a crowd, set out a bowl of tortilla chips on the side for an extra fun, scoopy vibe!

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re meal prepping or looking to impress at a gathering, try layering all the components into mason jars for a playful “burrito bowl” look. For parties, serve Steak Queso Rice : A Flavorful Recipe buffet-style and let everyone build their own bowl with toppings galore. Or, pack it into bell pepper halves and bake until the peppers are tender and the queso bubbles—absolutely showstopping!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers of Steak Queso Rice : A Flavorful Recipe keep wonderfully for up to 3 days in the fridge—just store each element (steak, rice, queso) separately in airtight containers. This makes it easy to reheat and keeps everything fresh and delicious.

Freezing

You can freeze the steak and rice components for up to 2 months. Cool both completely, portion into freezer-friendly bags or containers, and squeeze out as much air as possible. The queso sauce is best made fresh, as cheesy sauces can change texture after freezing, but in a pinch you can freeze it too—just let it thaw gently and reheat slowly.

Reheating

To reheat, warm the steak and rice in the microwave or on the stovetop until piping hot. For the queso, heat it very gently over low on the stove, stirring often to keep it smooth and creamy. If it’s too thick, stir in a splash of milk or cream until it’s perfect again!

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of steak?

Absolutely! Sirloin, flank, or even ribeye all work brilliantly for Steak Queso Rice : A Flavorful Recipe. Just remember to cut against the grain for maximum tenderness.

Can I make this recipe dairy free?

Yes! Use your favorite dairy-free cheese shreds and swap the heavy cream and cream cheese for plant-based alternatives. Coconut cream or cashew cream make great substitutions in the queso.

Could I make the rice in a rice cooker?

Definitely! Just add the broth, seasonings, rice, and butter to your rice cooker. Let the machine handle it while you prepare the steak and queso—super easy.

What’s the best way to spice up the queso?

For extra heat, add more cayenne to the queso, or stir in some canned diced green chiles or a spoonful of chipotle in adobo for a smoky kick.

Is Steak Queso Rice : A Flavorful Recipe gluten free?

Yes, as long as your beef broth and cheeses are certified gluten free, the entire dish is naturally gluten free. Always check your labels if you’re serving someone with sensitivities.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve made it this far, you owe it to yourself to dig a spoon into Steak Queso Rice : A Flavorful Recipe. It’s hearty, cheesy, and genuinely love-at-first-bite. Gather those ingredients, invite some friends, and create a dinner that’s guaranteed to be the highlight of your week!

Steak Queso Rice : A Flavorful Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 11 reviews

Author: anna
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Steak Queso Rice recipe combines tender steak strips, flavorful rice, and a creamy queso sauce for a delicious and satisfying meal. Perfect for a hearty dinner or easy entertaining.

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Rice In a medium saucepan, bring beef broth, butter, salt, garlic powder, and smoked paprika to a boil. Add the rice, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 15-18 minutes until the liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
Step 2: Season and Cook the Steak In a bowl, season the steak strips with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cumin. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the steak and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until browned and cooked to your desired doneness. Remove from heat and let the steak rest for 5 minutes.
Step 3: Prepare the Queso Sauce In a small saucepan, heat heavy cream over low heat. Add cream cheese and stir until melted. Gradually add cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, stirring constantly until smooth. Mix in garlic powder and cayenne pepper for extra flavor. Keep warm on low heat.
Step 4: Assemble the Steak Queso Rice Bowl Divide the cooked rice into serving bowls. Top with steak strips, then drizzle generously with queso sauce.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve Add optional toppings like chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, jalapeño slices, or a dollop of sour cream for extra flavor. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Tex-Mex