Taco Bell Power Bowl (Steak)

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

The Taco Bell Power Bowl is full of everything we love from our favorite Mexican fast food joint: rice and beans, lettuce and cheese, and a creamy topping of guac and sour cream!

Not to mention some tender and delicious steak right there in the middle. It’s filling and packed with energizing nutrients that your body will thank you for. Skip the drive thru and prep it right at home!

taco bell power bowl close up

I love a lot of items on the Taco Bell™ power menu, but the steak power bowl takes the (metaphorical) cake for me!

Protein bowls are delicious and easy to eat, and a great way to get a couple levels of the food pyramid all in one place. 

This whole recipe takes less than 30 minutes, most of that time being prep.

You can make enough for a couple of meals and have easy dinners and lunches for the week!

measued ingredients for taco bell power bowl steak

Taco Bell Power Bowl

I love this recipe because it’s absolutely packed with healthy meats, vegetables, and fillings that are satisfying and delicious!

Between the creamy toppings and dressing, flavorful chunks of steak, and crunchy vegetables, there’s really nothing missing here.

Maybe I haven’t made it totally clear just how much I love tacos! Try out my 7 Layer Taco Dip, or this unbelievably tasty and filling Taco Pasta Salad.

making creamy avocado ranch dressing in food processor

Taco Bell Steak Power Bowl Ingredients & Substitutions

  • Mexican Red Rice and Black Beans – Some tangy and spicy red rice and savory beans are the perfect base to this masterpiece. 

    You could use white or brown rice, if preferred, and red beans if they’re your fave. Just remember that it won’t taste just like the restaurant.
  • Steak – I grilled up a New York strip steak, but you can use your favorite cut! And if you have some steak leftover from a previous dinner? Throw it right in!
  • Veggies – We’ll need a combination of lettuce, tomatoes, chives, avocados, and jalapeños to make up the bowl and the dressing.

    You can always choose a less spicy pepper for the dressing, like a banana pepper — be sure to remove the seeds!

    Otherwise, more veggies can be added or taken away as you like.
  • Guacamole – To plop right on top! Grab some premade from the store or whip up your own in no time.
  • Sour Cream – You can use some plain Greek yogurt as a substitute. I promise, it’s good!

    You can hardly tell the difference, plus it’s higher in protein and lower in fat as well.
  • Buttermilk Powder – The original Taco Bell power bowl recipe uses powder, but you can also use ½ cup of regular ol’ buttermilk instead. 
perfectly grilled steak on pan

How to Make Steak Just Like a Power Bowl From Taco Bell

To make steak just like in the original, you’re going to need to make it a bit well done.

Fry it up right in your skillet in some olive oil and season with salt and pepper. You can add other steak seasonings, like this Tex Mex seasoning, for extra flavor! 

The most important thing is to make sure you don’t cut into the meat until it rests for at least 10 minutes!

That’s how it’ll stay nice and juicy. 

cheese rice and beans in bowl

Storing and Reheating

If you’re prepping ahead of time, store all of the ingredients in separate containers.

The meat will last for up to 3 days, while the veggies and dressing will keep for up to 5.

To reheat leftover rice and beans, cover with a damp paper towel and reheat for 30 second bursts until soft.

Reheat the steak in the microwave as well, or throw into the skillet for 2-3 minutes until warmed through.

Then, reassemble in the order described in the recipe.

pouring avocado ranch dressing over taco bell power bowl

Taco Bell Power Bowl FAQ

Is the Power Bowl from Taco Bell healthy?

The Taco Bell Steak Power Bowl is full of things that your body needs and loves.

Things like protein, fiber, and vitamins C, K, A, E in the tomatoes, jalapenos, and avocados. It’s definitely an energy booster!

There are some fats and calories in the sour cream, which can be easily substituted with Greek yogurt as a healthier option.

Chicken makes a healthier protein as well.

What comes in a Taco Bell Power Bowl?

The power bowl from Taco Bell comes with a few different choices for protein, including steak and chicken, plus a bunch of veggies and rice! 

You’ll get a layer of rice and beans, a layer of shredded lettuce, a good bit of meat, and some guac on top.

A dollop of sour cream and sprinkling of tomatoes tops the whole thing off!

Can I make a Taco Bell steak power bowl vegan?

Easily! Simply replace the steak with your preferred meatless alternative or leave it out entirely.

You can pack it up with some more beans, or maybe some tofu, if you still want a nice and filling meal.

You can absolutely bulk the bowl with more veggies, too! Cucumbers, bell peppers, and mushrooms would be totally tasty.

close up of taco bell power bowl steak

Get Free Recipes Sent to Your Email

Do you ❤️ TSRI? Don’t miss another recipe!

Subscribe to The Slow Roasted Italian by email to receive new recipes in your inbox!!

Enjoy!

With love, from our simple kitchen to yours. 

Don’t miss a thing! Follow us on

Facebook Twitter Pinterest | Instagram 

fork picking up lettuce and rice from taco bell power bowl

Other Taco Bell Copycat Recipes


close up of taco bell power bowl

Taco Bell Power Bowl (Steak)

Donna Elick
Taco Bell Power Bowl contains steak, rice, and veggies for a nutritious, satisfying meal. This copycat recipe helps you recreate it at home!
5 stars from 1 review
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Course Main
Cuisine Mexican
Method Grill, Stovetop
Servings 1 makes 1 power bowl

Equipment

  • cast iron skillet There are a ton of brands out there, but this is my trusty inexpensive go-to.
  • food processor will make the avocado ranch dressing super creamy
  • box grater Fresh cheese makes this recipe even better! Skip the bagged shreds and buy a block to grate yourself.

Ingredients
 

For Power Bowl

  • 1 cup Mexican red rice
  • 1/2 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 3 ounces strip steak, cooked and chopped (See Notes)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup chopped romaine lettuce, or iceberg
  • 1/8 cup diced tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons guacamole
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream

For Creamy Avocado Ranch Dressing

  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons buttermilk powder, (See Notes)
  • 1 ripe avocado, pitted, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1/4 fresh jalapeno, chopped (use more/less to suit your taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon chopped chives, or green onion

Instructions
 

Steak Instructions

  • Heat a grill or cast iron skillet over medium high heat.
  • Rub steak with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and season to taste with salt and pepper. Feel free to add any other steak seasoning you enjoy.
  • Place steak on the pan or grill and leave untouched for 2-3 minutes. When the meat no longer sticks to the grates, flip it over and cook on the other side. Cook steak to desired level of doneness. Taco Bell’s steak is well done.
  • Remove steak from heat and let it rest for 10 minutes, then slice into bite-size pieces.

Creamy Avocado Ranch Dressing

  • Add all dressing ingredients to the bowl of a food processor. Process until a smooth, creamy mixture forms.

Power Bowl Assembly

  • Warm Mexican rice and black beans.
  • Cook steak (if not using leftovers) and cut into pieces
  • Prepare creamy avocado ranch dressing.
  • Spread Mexican rice in the bottom of a bowl
  • Top with black beans and cheese.
  • Add lettuce over another section in the bowl. Drizzle with avocado ranch.
  • Add chopped steak to the bowl.
  • Top with guacamole and sour cream; then, sprinkle with tomatoes.
  • Serve immediately

Donna’s Notes

1/2 cup buttermilk may be substituted for the water and buttermilk powder mixture.
Adjust the amounts of the fillings to taste.
Store leftover steak, dressing, rice, and any other ingredients in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator.
We used New York strip steak for our Taco Bell power bowl, but you can use any kind you enjoy. You can even use leftover steak if you’d like.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 1249cal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 99g | Saturated Fat: 32g | Cholesterol: 187mg | Sodium: 1525mg | Sugar: 14g | Fiber: 24g | Calcium: 580mg | Iron: 5mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
taco bell power bowl close up
the slow roasted italian affiliate linked cookbook banner

Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.

One Comment

  1. 5 stars
    Love making these to have throughout the week for lunch at work. They taste amazing, and I can always change up what’s in them so I never get bored.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating