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Steak & Queso Rice

Steak & queso rice is a one-skillet Mexican-American dinner with tender sliced steak over creamy queso-covered long-grain rice. You’ll get charred, caramelized edges from quick searing, plus silky melted queso stirred in at the end.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
rest time 5 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main
Cuisine: Mexican-American
Calories: 860
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Steak & queso rice
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1.5 lb steak flank or skirt, seasoned with salt and pepper
  • 1 onion medium, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1.5 cup long-grain white rice
  • 2.5 cup beef broth
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 1 cup corn
  • 2 cup white queso dip
  • 1 fresh cilantro for garnish
  • 1 lime wedges

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Sear steak and rest
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the steak, seasoned with salt and pepper, for 4-5 minutes per side until medium-rare, then remove to a plate and rest for 5 minutes.
  2. Slice the rested steak thinly for fanning later.
Toast rice and simmer
  1. In the same skillet, sauté the diced onion over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add the minced garlic and long-grain white rice, then toast for 2 minutes until lightly fragrant.
  2. Pour in the beef broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12 minutes.
Finish with vegetables and queso
  1. Stir in the diced red bell pepper and corn, then cook for another 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
  2. Turn off the heat and stir in the white queso dip until fully melted. Top with the sliced steak, garnish with fresh cilantro, and serve with lime wedges.

Notes

For best charred edges, pat the steak dry before searing and avoid moving it during the first 2-3 minutes per side. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of broth so the queso stays creamy. Freezing isn’t recommended for the best texture, but you can use a reduced-fat queso dip for a lighter option (texture may be slightly thinner).