Steak Queso Rice Recipe

Introduction

Steak Queso Rice is a delicious one-pan meal combining tender, spiced steak with creamy, cheesy queso sauce served over fluffy rice. This comforting dish brings bold flavors and is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or casual gathering.

Ingredients

• 450g (1 lb) flank or sirloin steak
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1½ cups whole milk
• ½ tsp ground cumin
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 2 cups broth or water
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• Salt, as needed
• Optional garnishes: fresh cilantro, lime wedges, avocado slices, sliced jalapeños

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat steak dry with paper towels. Rub with olive oil and coat both sides with paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Step 2: Heat a large skillet until very hot. Sear steak for 4–5 minutes per side depending on thickness and preferred doneness.
3. Step 3: Transfer steak to a cutting board and let rest for 5–10 minutes. Slice thinly across the grain to maintain tenderness.
4. Step 4: Rinse rice under cold water. Heat olive oil in a pot, stir in rice and garlic powder to coat, and toast lightly. Add broth or water, bring to a boil, then cover and simmer on low for 18–20 minutes.
5. Step 5: In the same skillet used for steak, melt butter over medium heat. Add chopped garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in milk and bring to a gentle simmer.
6. Step 6: Gradually add shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, stirring until smooth. Season with cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
7. Step 7: Spoon rice onto plates, top with sliced steak, and ladle warm queso sauce over everything. Garnish with cilantro, lime wedges, avocado slices, and jalapeños if desired.

Tips & Variations

• Slice steak against the grain to maximize tenderness.
• Use low-sodium chicken broth for richer rice flavor.
• Adjust queso sauce heat by adding cayenne pepper or minced jalapeños.
• Cooking steak 4 minutes per side yields medium-rare; 5 minutes per side gives medium doneness.

Storage

Store leftover steak queso rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a microwave or on the stove, adding a splash of milk or broth to loosen the queso sauce if it thickens.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of steak?

Yes, sirloin or flank steak works best for this recipe, but you can also use skirt or ribeye depending on your preference and budget.

Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian?

You can omit the steak and add sautéed vegetables such as bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini instead. Keep the queso sauce and rice preparation the same for a tasty vegetarian dish.

Steak Queso Rice Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 718 reviews

Steak Queso Rice is a hearty, flavorful dish featuring tender, spiced flank or sirloin steak served over fluffy garlic-infused white rice, all smothered in a creamy, cheesy queso sauce with hints of cumin and chili powder. This comforting meal is garnished with fresh cilantro, lime, avocado slices, and jalapeños for an added burst of freshness and heat, making it perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

• Author: Isla
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Mexican-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Steak

• 450g (1 lb) flank or sirloin steak
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder

For the Queso Sauce

• 1½ cups whole milk
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• ½ tsp ground cumin
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

For the Rice

• 2 cups broth or water
• Salt, as needed
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 1 tsp garlic powder

Optional Garnishes

• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Lime wedges
• Avocado slices
• Sliced jalapeños

Instructions

1. Prepare the Steak: Pat the steak dry with paper towels. Rub it evenly with olive oil, then coat both sides with paprika, ground cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to infuse flavor.
2. Sear the Steak: Heat a large skillet over high heat until very hot. Add the steak and sear for 4 to 5 minutes on each side depending on thickness and your preferred doneness, achieving a nice crust.
3. Rest and Slice Steak: Transfer the cooked steak to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes to retain juices. Then slice thinly across the grain for maximum tenderness.
4. Cook the Rice: Rinse the white rice under cold water to remove excess starch. Heat olive oil in a medium lidded pot, stir in the rice and garlic powder to lightly toast. Add broth or water and salt, bring it to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 18 to 20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid absorbed.
5. Make the Queso Sauce: In the same skillet used for the steak, melt butter over medium heat. Add finely chopped garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the milk and bring to a gentle simmer.
6. Add Cheese and Seasonings: Gradually stir in shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with ground cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
7. Assemble the Dish: Spoon cooked rice onto serving plates, top with sliced steak, and ladle the warm queso sauce over everything. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, lime wedges, avocado slices, and sliced jalapeños for extra flavor and presentation.

Notes

• Slice steak against the grain to ensure maximum tenderness.
• Use low-sodium chicken broth instead of water for richer rice flavor.
• Adjust the heat of the queso sauce by adding cayenne pepper or minced jalapeños.
• Cooking steak for 4 minutes per side yields medium-rare; 5 minutes per side results in medium doneness.
• Let the steak rest before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.
• Rinse the rice well to remove surface starch and prevent clumping.

Keywords: steak queso rice, cheesy steak rice, skillet steak recipe, easy queso sauce, Mexican-inspired dinner, one-pot rice and steak