Description
Hearty Tex-Mex steak & queso rice delivers explosive southwestern flavors in one skillet. Bold ingredients merge for a satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners and weekend gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) steak (sirloin, ribeye, or flank), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup (120 grams) shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
- ¼ cup (60 grams) queso dip or prepared queso sauce
- 1 cup uncooked rice (white, brown, or jasmine)
- 2 cups (480 ml) chicken or beef broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- ½ cup (120 ml) milk or heavy cream
- 2 tbsps chopped fresh cilantro
- ¼ cup diced tomatoes or pico de gallo (optional)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Rice Preparation: Bring broth to a boil in a medium saucepan, add rice, reduce heat, cover, and simmer until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- Steak Seasoning and Cooking: Coat steak pieces with smoked paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Sear in hot olive oil over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side until golden-brown and cooked to desired doneness.
- Queso Rice Fusion: Fold butter, milk, shredded cheese, queso dip, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper into cooked rice. Stir until cheese melts completely, creating a creamy consistency. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Plating and Garnishing: Spread queso rice on serving plates, top with seared steak pieces. Embellish with fresh chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes or pico de gallo, and serve with lime wedges for a bright, zesty finish.
Notes
- Optimize Rice Texture: Rinse rice before cooking to remove excess starch, ensuring fluffy and separate grains that absorb flavors perfectly.
- Control Steak Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to achieve precise internal temperature – 125°F for rare, 135°F for medium-rare, preventing overcooking and maintaining tenderness.
- Elevate Cheese Melt: Remove rice from heat before adding cheese to prevent scorching, creating smooth and creamy queso without grainy or separated texture.
- Balance Spice Levels: Adjust cayenne and chili powder incrementally, tasting as you go to customize heat intensity without overwhelming the dish’s delicate flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg