Steak Avocado Roasted Corn Bowl (Printable Version)

Grilled steak, roasted corn, and fresh avocado layered over rice with tangy cilantro cream sauce.

# The Ingredients You'll Need:

→ For the Steak

01 - 1 pound flank steak or skirt steak
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
05 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - ½ teaspoon salt
09 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ For the Roasted Corn

10 - 2 ears corn, husked
11 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ For the Bowl

13 - 2 cups cooked rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice
14 - 1 ripe avocado, sliced
15 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
16 - ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
17 - ¼ cup crumbled Cotija or feta cheese
18 - Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
19 - Lime wedges for serving

→ For the Cilantro Cream Sauce

20 - ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
21 - ½ cup mayonnaise, optional for extra richness
22 - 1 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves, stems removed
23 - 1 clove garlic
24 - Juice of 1 lime
25 - 2 tablespoons water to thin as needed
26 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - In a shallow dish, whisk together olive oil, minced garlic, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
02 - Add steak to marinade, turning to coat both sides. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours.
03 - Preheat grill, grill pan, or broiler to high heat. Brush corn with olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook, turning occasionally, until charred and tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool slightly, then cut kernels off the cob.
04 - In a blender or food processor, combine sour cream, mayonnaise if using, cilantro, garlic, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth. Add water one tablespoon at a time until pourable consistency is achieved. Taste and adjust seasoning. Refrigerate until ready to use.
05 - Heat a grill or heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Remove steak from marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Grill for 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium-rare or to desired doneness. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice thinly against the grain.
06 - Divide rice or quinoa among four bowls. Top with sliced steak, roasted corn, avocado, cherry tomatoes, and red onion. Drizzle with cilantro cream sauce and sprinkle with crumbled cheese. Garnish with cilantro leaves and serve with lime wedges.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • The marinade infuses the steak with just enough spice to complement the sweet charred corn without overwhelming it – trust me, I accidentally doubled the chili powder once and learned my lesson.
  • Each bite offers a perfect balance of textures – the creamy avocado melts against the tender steak while the corn adds that satisfying little pop.
02 -
  • Slicing the steak against the grain isnt just cooking advice – its the difference between tender bites and tough chewing, as I painfully discovered at my first dinner party.
  • The cilantro sauce benefits enormously from sitting in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving, allowing the flavors to meld and develop.
03 -
  • Let the steak come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking – this one change revolutionized my results, creating more even cooking and better browning.
  • When making the cilantro sauce, throw in half an avocado for an even creamier texture that clings beautifully to each component of the bowl.
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