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You are here: Home / Recipes / Main Dish / Beef / Keto Mexican Beef Bowls

Keto Mexican Beef Bowls

Published March 8, 2021. Last updated July 18, 2021 by Lauren Vavala

Thanks for sharing!

keto mexican beef bowls with text overlay
keto mexican beef bowls with text overlay
Keto mexican beef bowls with text overlay
keto mexican beef bowls with text overlay
2 images of keto mexican beef bowls with text overlay between them

Keto Mexican Beef Bowls are filled with riced cauliflower, delicious seasoned ground beef and a quick homemade salsa. Top them with crumbled queso or cojita cheese and a zesty lime mayo for even more flavor. These bowls come together in just 30 minutes and are low carb, keto friendly and gluten free.

Close up of Keto Mexican Beef Bowls in a white bowl over a white background with a white bowl of sauce behind it

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One of the biggest issues that I had when I attempted to follow a ketogenic diet the first time around was feeling like all I could eat was meat, cheese and butter. I let myself fall into that belief and my entire outlook on the diet made me absolutely miserable. It’s no wonder I majorly failed.

I knew I had to make some changes with the way that I plan my meals and decided that I needed to prepare more ahead of time.

I spent weeks researching what foods are allowed on a strict keto diet and which aren’t. Then, anytime I’d eat something that I typically really enjoy eating, I’d start thinking about ways I could modify it to be keto-friendly. 

This lead to me getting excited about taking on a super low carb diet again and have since been enjoying the challenge of transforming recipes. And that my friends, is exactly how this recipe for Keto Mexican Beef Bowls was developed!

One of the recipes that came in a Blue Apron meal kit box were these really flavorful Mexican Beef Bowls. I absolutely loved them and recreated the recipes a few times in a non-keto way working out how to replicate the Mexican spice blend just right.

The recipe was super easy to modify into a Keto Mexican Beef Bowls recipe.

You may also like this recipe for White Queso Dip to serve as an appetizer with some homemade low carb tortillas.

Why This Recipe Works

This is a quick and easy recipe to make. It takes just 10 simple ingredients and 30 minutes to make.

These Mexican Beef Bowls are a great lunch or dinner option for those following a keto or low carb diet. They are also gluten free.

You can make this recipe ahead of time. It is a perfect meal prep recipe.

How to Make Keto Mexican Beef Bowls

Ingredients

Ingredients for keto mexican beef bowls with labels on a white background

  • Cauliflower Rice: I prefer to rice my cauliflower from fresh, rather than using frozen. If needed you can reference this post on How to Rice Cauliflower.
  • Ground Beef
  • Tomatoes: any kind work.
  • Lime: freshly squeezed lime juice tastes best in this recipe.
  • Pickled JalapeƱos: you can use fresh, but the spice level will be much more intense.
  • Queso Fresca or Cojita Cheese
  • Chili Powder
  • Ground Cumin
  • Dried Oregano

The entire recipe and instructions can also be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can also print the recipe from the card, if needed.

Prep!

Before you begin cooking, you’ll need to dice the tomatoes and jalapeƱo peppers. If you are using grape tomatoes, you can simply halve or quarter each one.

Rice the cauliflower. You will use the lime juice in both the salsa and the lime mayonnaise.

Create!

Tomatoes and jalapeno peppers diced in a glass bowl with a plate of spices, a piece of queso cheese and a white bowl of mayonnaise on a white background

You’ll want to prepare the salsa first so that it has a little time to marinate. Simply mix together the tomato, jalapeƱos, and lime juice in a small bowl and set aside.

cauliflower rice in a skillet

Next cook the cauliflower. I prefer to cook it by adding about 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the cauliflower and cook, stirring often, until tender. This takes about 5-7 minutes.

Chef’s Tip: if you prefer to cook the cauliflower using another method, you can refer to this post on How To Cook Cauliflower.

Ground beef in a cast iron skillet

While the cauliflower cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and season with the chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. I don’t find the need to add oil to the pan, but you can add a tablespoon, if necessary.

Cook the beef, stirring often and breaking up larger chunks as needed, until it is cooked through and no longer pink in the middle, about 10 minutes.

Present!

Overhead of keto mexican beef bowls with part of a second bowl partially showing and a small bowl of sauce

To assemble the bowls, divide the cauliflower evenly between 4 bowls. Top with equal amounts of the Mexican beef, salsa, and cheese crumbles.

To make the Lime Mayonnaise, whisk together the mayonnaise and lime juice and drizzle over each bowl just before serving.

Tips and Techniques

  • You can reference this post on How to Rice Cauliflower, if needed. You can also buy already riced cauliflower from the produce section of your grocery store or frozen cauliflower, if you prefer..
  • Jarred pickled jalapenos are good to use for this recipe, though some contain a small amount of sugar. If you decide to use fresh, please keep in mind that they are stronger and you may want to use less.
  • If you are following a strict keto diet, you will need to use a keto-approved mayonnaise. Some brands you can try are Primal Kitchen, Chosen Foods and Sir Kensington’s.

How to Store Leftover Keto Mexican Beef Bowls

  • Store any leftover ground beef for the Keto Mexican Beef Bowls in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3-4 days.
  • Extra cauliflower rice can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
  • Any leftover homemade salsa can be store in an airtight container for up to 7 days.

More Keto Mexican Recipes

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Keto Mexican Casserole
Keto Mexican Casserole is a spicy, cheesy combination of ground beef, riced cauliflower, peppers, and a blend of cheeses. It’s a low carb, gluten free dinner recipe that’s easy to make and very flavorful.
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Easy Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas
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Love this recipe for Keto Mexican Beef Bowls? Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more!

If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and star rating. I would really appreciate it!

Close up of keto mexican beef bowls in a white dish over a white background
Print

Keto Mexican Beef Bowls

Keto Mexican Beef Bowls are filled with riced cauliflower, delicious seasoned ground beef and a quick homemade salsa. Top them with crumbled queso or cojita cheese and a zesty lime mayo for even more flavor. These bowls come together in just 30 minutes and are low carb, keto friendly and gluten free.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Beef, Gluten Free, Low Carb, Mexican
Diet Diabetic, Gluten Free
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 331kcal
Author Lauren Harris

Ingredients

Quick Salsa

  • 1 cup tomato (diced)
  • 2 tablespoons pickled jalapeno peppers (diced, can use fresh - see notes)
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice

Mexican Beef Bowls

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium head cauliflower (riced, about 4 cups)
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 cup queso fresco (or cojita cheese)

Lime Mayonnaise

  • 1 tablespoon mayonnaise (see notes)
  • 1 teaspoon lime juice

Instructions

Quick Salsa

  • Mix together the tomato, jalapeƱos, and lime juice in a small bowl and set aside.

Mexican Beef Bowls

  • Add olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the cauliflower and cook, stirring often, until tender - about 5-7 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and season with the chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.
  • Cook the beef, stirring often and breaking up larger chunks as needed, until it is cooked through and no longer pink in the middle, about 10 minutes.
  • To assemble the bowls, divide the cauliflower evenly between 4 bowls. Top with equal amounts of the Mexican beef, salsa and crumbled cheese.

Lime Mayonnaise

  • To make the Lime Mayonnaise, whisk together the mayonnaise and lime juice and drizzle over each bowl just before serving.

Notes

Tips and Techniques

  • You can reference this post onĀ How to Rice Cauliflower, if needed.Ā You can also buy already riced cauliflower from the produce section of your grocery store or frozen cauliflower, if you prefer..
  • Jarred pickled jalapenosĀ are good to use for this recipe, though some contain a small amount of sugar.Ā If you decide to use fresh, please keep in mind that they are stronger andĀ you may want to use less.
  • If you are following a strict keto diet, you will need to use aĀ keto-approved mayonnaise. Some brands you can try areĀ Primal Kitchen,Ā Chosen Foods, andĀ Sir Kensington’s.

    How to Store Leftover Keto Mexican Beef Bowls

  • Store any leftover ground beef for the Keto Mexican Beef Bowls in an air-tight container in the refrigerator and use within 3-4 days.
  • Extra cauliflower rice can be kept in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
  • Any leftover homemade salsa can be store in an air-tight container for up to 7 days.
** Nutritional information is given as an estimate and may vary.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 331kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 815mg | Potassium: 966mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1060IU | Vitamin C: 84mg | Calcium: 110mg | Iron: 4mg

This recipe was originally published in December 26, 2018. It was updated with new images, step-by-step instructions, tips, techniques, FAQ’s and video in March 2021.

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Filed Under: Beef, Gluten Free, Low Carb, Main Dish, Recipes

Comments

  1. Lorrayne Mauck says

    July 8, 2021 at 8:36 am

    This recipe was simple and delicious. I did not have time to prepare riced cauliflower so I just sauteed the cauliflower instead. Both my husband and I enjoyed the meal.

    Reply
    • Lauren Vavala says

      July 8, 2021 at 8:53 am

      Thanks for the feedback – glad that you enjoyed the recipe!!

      – Lauren

      Reply
  2. Jill Roberts @ Wellnessgeeky.com says

    August 8, 2019 at 7:25 am

    These keto Mexican beef bowls are so Instagrammable and adorable! As you know I made it a short while ago and it was lovely! Thx, Lauren for sharing!

    Reply
  3. Sabrina says

    December 31, 2018 at 7:51 pm

    I’ve been obsessed with bowls lately. So filling and tons of flavor. I’ll be adding this one into the rotation.

    Reply
  4. Cathy says

    December 31, 2018 at 6:31 pm

    This looks delicious! Wonderful how you have transformed a Blue Apron dish into a keto friendly meal!

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      August 30, 2022 at 5:00 pm

      This was REALLY GOOD! I made this last week and it was gone! No seconds for meā˜¹ļø, so I am making it again! Thank you for sharing…I know we will be eating this often!

      Reply
  5. Matt @ Plating Pixels says

    December 31, 2018 at 6:04 pm

    I haven’t fully tried keto, but either way this looks amazing!

    Reply
  6. Kelly Anthony says

    December 31, 2018 at 5:50 pm

    I like your addition of lime juice to the cauliflower. I bet it gives it just the right amount of flavor to make it taste like mexican rice.

    Reply
  7. [email protected] says

    December 31, 2018 at 4:53 pm

    Found this just when I badly needed a low carb delicious food to add to the strict diet I’ve recently started following. Looking forward to more of such Lauren.

    Reply

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Welcome, I'm Lauren!

Delicious Little Bites is where I share all types of recipes from appetizers to desserts. You will also find plenty of keto, gluten free, and vegetarian recipes here to help you put a delicious meal on the table every night that the whole family will love! Read More...

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