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Steak Queso Rice Recipe

Steak Queso Rice Recipe

4.7 from 23 reviews

Steak Queso Rice is a hearty and flavorful dish combining tender, spiced flank or sirloin steak with creamy homemade queso sauce served over fluffy white rice. Enhanced with aromatic spices and fresh garnishes like cilantro, lime, avocado, and jalapeños, this meal offers a satisfying blend of textures and bold, savory flavors perfect for a comforting dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Steak Seasoning

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

Queso Sauce

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

Rice

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

Garnishes

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

Instructions

  1. Season and Prepare the Steak: Pat the flank or sirloin steak dry with paper towels. Rub both sides with olive oil and evenly coat with paprika, ground cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to infuse bold flavors.
  2. Cook the Steak: Heat a large skillet on high until very hot. Sear the steak for approximately 4 to 5 minutes per side, adjusting time based on thickness and your preferred doneness level.
  3. Rest and Slice the Steak: Transfer the cooked steak to a cutting board and allow it to rest for 5 to 10 minutes to retain its juices. Slice thinly across the grain to ensure tenderness.
  4. Prepare the Rice: Rinse the long-grain white rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. In a pot, heat olive oil over medium heat, then add rice and garlic powder, stirring to coat and lightly toast the rice. Pour in broth or water, season with salt as needed, bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer gently for 18 to 20 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
  5. Start the Queso Base: Using the same skillet from the steak, melt butter over medium heat. Add finely chopped garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in whole milk and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
  6. Finish the Queso Sauce: Gradually add shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses while stirring continuously until fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with ground cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper to taste, creating a rich and flavorful queso.
  7. Assemble the Dish: Spoon the cooked rice onto serving plates, layer with sliced steak, and ladle warm queso sauce generously over the top. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro, lime wedges, avocado slices, and sliced jalapeños for added freshness and spice.

Notes

  • For best steak flavor and juiciness, let the meat come to room temperature before cooking.
  • Adjust chili powder and jalapeños according to your preferred spice level.
  • Whole milk is recommended for a creamy queso; substitute with 2% milk if preferred but the sauce may be less rich.
  • Leftover queso sauce can be refrigerated and gently reheated; add a splash of milk if it thickens too much.
  • Use broth instead of water for cooking rice to add more depth of flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: steak queso rice, creamy queso sauce, skillet steak recipe, mexican-inspired rice dish, flank steak recipe