Taco Rice Recipe: Japanese Tex-Mex Rice Bowl Classic 2026

Taco rice is a Japanese rice bowl topped with seasoned ground beef and all the classic taco fixings. The combination is as surprising as it is delicious, and the best part is how easy it is to make at home with everyday ingredients.

This unique mix of Japanese short-grain rice with the most popular Tex-Mex flavors creates a truly tasty bite. Because it uses simple, common ingredients, it lets you enjoy exotic flavors without leaving home, making it a great addition to your regular rotation.

The only ingredient that might not be so common is the taco seasoning, though these days it's usually easy to find in the spice aisle of most supermarkets. You can also make it at home by mixing 1 teaspoon cayenne powder, 3/4 teaspoon sweet paprika, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano and a pinch of ground pepper. If you make it yourself, mix a larger batch and store it in an airtight container, as it keeps for weeks in the pantry. As for the sour cream, if you can't find it, you can easily make it at home.

We like to use a mix of ground pork and beef for this recipe because we find it tastier, though if you prefer, you can make it with beef only. One last tip: the pico de gallo can be made ahead and kept in the fridge until just before serving. That way, the taco rice comes together in no time, since the rice cooks while you prepare the meat.

Ingredients for Taco Rice

This recipe makes 2 servings.

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion
• Salt
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
• 250 g ground meat
• 125 g short-grain rice
• A few lettuce leaves
• 1 red tomato
• 1 small red onion
• A few cilantro leaves
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• 50 g grated cheddar cheese
• 1 tablespoon sour cream

How to Make Taco Rice Step by Step

1. Sauté the onion and garlic and cook the rice

First, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet and sauté 1 small peeled and chopped onion with a little salt for 4-6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add 2 pressed garlic cloves and cook for 1 more minute. Meanwhile, cook 125 g of short-grain rice following the package instructions.

2. Add the meat to the onion sofrito, cook and season

Add 250 g of ground meat and cook, stirring the mixture occasionally, for about 5 minutes. Season the meat with 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning and cook for 2 more minutes.

3. Chop the lettuce and mix the onion with tomato and cilantro

Wash, dry and thinly slice a few lettuce leaves. Wash and cut 1 red tomato into small pieces. Finely chop 1 red onion and a few cilantro leaves. Mix the tomato with the onion and cilantro, and season with salt and 1 teaspoon of lime juice.

4. Serve the taco rice

When the rice is ready, divide it between two plates. Serve the meat over the rice and top with the lettuce and the tomato, onion and cilantro mixture. Divide 50 g of grated cheddar cheese and 1 tablespoon of sour cream between the two plates.

Tips for the Best Taco Rice

Make your own taco seasoning

If you can't find taco seasoning, mix 1 teaspoon cayenne powder, 3/4 teaspoon sweet paprika, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano and a pinch of ground pepper. Make a bigger batch and store it in an airtight container; it keeps for weeks in the pantry.

Choose the right ground meat

We like a mix of ground pork and beef for extra flavor, but you can use beef only if you prefer. Brown it well with the onion and garlic before adding the seasoning so every bite is savory.

Prep the toppings ahead

The pico de gallo can be made in advance and kept in the fridge until just before serving. Since the rice cooks while you prepare the meat, the whole dish comes together in minutes.

30 Go-To Recipes I Keep Coming Back to in My Own Kitchen

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a rotation that covers cozy classics, dishes from around the world, and sweets that make everyone happy.

Some nights I want something luxuriously rich, and that's when I reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a truly indulgent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when I'm after something fruity and soothing, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my reliable pick.

For mornings that call for something easy and for lighter plates, I'll whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And whenever I need a gluten-free staple for the pantry, this straightforward Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the job.

When tapas and Mediterranean cooking are calling, I tend to cycle through this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, silky Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is another one I love to serve when the occasion feels a bit more special.

Hearty midday meals and comforting suppers? These are the ones I'm always recommending: this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and velvety Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When I'm after something more substantial, I'll bake up this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Street-food cravings and party spreads usually lead me to this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crackly Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These effortless Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another favorite of mine for a quick appetizer or snack.

And when I'm hosting and putting together drinks alongside a full menu, I'll often serve dinner with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this potent Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To bring the whole table together, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side, or finishing things off with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes to Cook for Your Family

After years of cooking, testing, and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the greatest dishes boil down to three things: straightforward methods, techniques you can trust, and serious flavor.

Every recipe gathered here is one I genuinely cook over and over—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something a little more celebratory for friends and family.

On the sweet side, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something that feels fancy yet comes together without fuss. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the well-known Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture helps a lot, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something light and uncomplicated is what I'm after, I'll usually make the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For cozier, more filling meals, I frequently point people to the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the fast weeknight winner One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm also a big fan of sharing dishes with roots in other countries, such as the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another category I turn to often, since it cuts down on time without sacrificing texture. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.

Gluten free Empanada Dough Recipe 🍕 Fluffy Apple Cake Recipe 🍔 Langos Hungarian Fried Bread Recipe 🌭 Gluten Free French Brioche Recipe 🍟 Madeira British Sponge Cake Recipe 🌮 Chocolate Argentinian Cookies Alfajores Recipe 🌯 Barmbrack Irish Sweet Bread Recipe 🥙 Gluten free Cookies Recipe 🥗 Homemade cream Maruxas Galician Biscuit Recipe 🍝 Japanese Dumplings Gyoza Dough Recipe

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Fluffy Cloud Bread Pan Nube Recipe 🧇 Quinoa Bread Recipe 🍞 Schiacciata Tuscan Focaccia Flat Bread Recipe 🥐 Shokupan Japanese Milk Bread Recipe 🥨 Potato Sandwich Bread Recipe 🧀 Homemade Breadsticks Recipe 🍳 Stollen German Dried Fruits Cake Recipe 🥚 French Gingerbread Spiced Cake Recipe 🍰 Gluten Free Pancakes Recipe

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