Description

Steak Queso Rice is a creamy, flavorful, and quick one-pot meal combining tender steak, smoky turkey bacon, and luscious plant-based cheese sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners, this dish offers rich textures and vibrant flavors with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale

Proteins

8 oz sirloin steak, cut into bite-sized pieces
4 slices smoked turkey bacon, chopped

Grains & Broth

1 cup long-grain rice
2 cups vegetable broth (natural)

Dairy & Sauces

1 cup plant-based cheese, shredded or chopped
1 tsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)

Aromatics & Vegetables

1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Juice of 1 lime (for garnish)

Spices

1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp black pepper

Others

1 tsp natural gelling agent
1–2 tbsp vegetable broth (natural) for melting cheese

Instructions

Prepare the Steak and Bacon: Cut the steak into bite-sized pieces and chop the smoked turkey bacon. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the bacon until crisp. Remove bacon and set aside. In the same pan, sear the steak pieces until browned but still juicy inside, about 3-4 minutes. Remove and keep warm.
Sauté Aromatics: Using the same skillet, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant and translucent, approximately 3 to 4 minutes, creating a savory base for the dish.
Cook the Rice: Add the long-grain rice to the pan with the aromatics. Stir and toast lightly for 1 minute. Pour in the vegetable broth, then season with ground cumin, smoked paprika, black pepper, and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural). Cover and simmer on low heat until the rice is tender and fluffy, about 15-20 minutes.
Make the Queso Sauce: While the rice cooks, melt the plant-based cheese with a small amount of vegetable broth and the natural gelling agent in a separate small pan over low heat. Stir constantly until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Combine and Finish: Once the rice is cooked, gently stir in the cooked steak, crispy smoked turkey bacon, and creamy queso sauce until everything is evenly coated. Finish by adding chopped fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice to brighten the flavors before serving.

Notes

Use room temperature steak to ensure even cooking and tenderness.
Toast the rice lightly before cooking to add nutty depth and prevent mushiness.
Melt the plant-based cheese slowly over low heat to avoid clumping and ensure smoothness.
Adjust spices to your preferred flavor intensity during cooking.
Add fresh cilantro and lime juice just before serving to maximize freshness.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Appetizers
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Fusion

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 350
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 500mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 20g
Cholesterol: 40mg

Keywords: Steak Queso Rice, plant-based cheese, smoky turkey bacon, creamy sauce, one-pot meal, gluten free