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Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List
Get It NowOne of my favorite quick restaurant meals is a burrito bowl from Chipotle, minus the rice and beans to keep it low carb. This Chipotle keto bowl is my homemade spin on that — because I love creating my faves at home. Unlike the restaurant version, I swapped in thinly sliced steak for the meat and used cilantro lime cauliflower rice instead of no rice at all. Make it with me for an easy, flavorful lunch (or dinner) without leaving your house!
Why You Need My Chipotle Keto Bowl
- Burst of Mexican flavors in one keto bowl – There’s tender and juicy steak, tangy cilantro lime cauli rice, creamy avocado, and plenty of fresh veggies.
- Super satisfying – Most recipes like this are essentially a keto salad bowl, but mine feels more like a keto burrito bowl. It’s more filling and hearty, and some days you need that. (Try my taco salad instead if you want a salad bowl.)
- Easy to make – So easy that this Chipotle keto bowl is one of my favorite lunches, even on busy days. The ingredients are simple, you can even prep many of them in advance, and the whole thing takes just 20 minutes.
- Low carb, one-dish meal – I love a good bowl meal that doesn’t require cooking multiple dishes. And at just 8.5g net carbs, this one is easy to fit into your macros.
In fact, this is one of my favorite recipes in my Easy Keto Carboholics’ Cookbook — which is packed with 100 easy ways to satisfy your (and my) toughest carb cravings!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my keto bowl recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
- Steak – I first made this recipe with flank steak, but have also tried it with skirt steak, hanger steak, and sirloin steak. Any other keto meats that you would enjoy in a burrito will work. See my variations below!
- 3-Ingredient Marinade – I use a simple blend of olive oil (or avocado oil works too), lime juice, and taco seasoning. I recommend steering clear of those seasoning packets that have sugar and starchy fillers — my homemade taco seasoning is super quick to mix up with simple spices, including cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and a few others. It also contains salt, so if you opt for a store-bought blend that doesn’t have it, add a teaspoon of salt to the meat.
- Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice – Regular Chipotle bowls have white rice or brown rice, but I needed a low carb version for my keto bowl! Although you can definitely use plain cauliflower rice, I thought the cilantro lime version added such nice flavor to this dish.
- Toppings – Any Mexican toppings you like work great! I topped my bowl with tomatoes, red onions, sour cream, and avocado (easier than the guac at Chipotle, but feel free to whip up my guacamole recipe if you prefer).
How To Make This Keto Bowl
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
- Make the cauliflower rice. I have instructions for cilantro lime cauliflower rice here or plain cauliflower rice here. For both, cook over medium to medium-high heat and stir occasionally.
- Season the steak. Toss steak with olive oil, lime juice, and taco seasoning.
- Cook the steak. Add a little more oil to a skillet. (I use the same one from the cauli rice — just wipe it down.) Cook steak over medium high heat, until browned on both sides.
- Assemble your Chipotle keto bowl. Divide the cauliflower rice among bowls, then top with steak and your favorite toppings.
My Recipe Tips
- If you have time, marinate the steak in the oil, lime juice, and seasoning for 1-2 hours. You can even do it overnight. This is not required, but leaves the steak more tender and flavorful when I get the chance to do it.
- Prefer your steak done medium-rare or medium? I love that too, but for this Chipotle keto bowl I went with crispy slices that are more cooked. If you like less doneness, I recommend searing the steak whole and then slicing it after resting.
- Want to meal prep? This recipe is perfect for that! I portion out the base and meat in these storage containers, and store the toppings separately. When ready to eat, just pop the container in the microwave, then sprinkle on pre-cut toppings. Just wait to slice the avocado until right before, so it doesn’t brown.
- Have picky eaters or family members who aren’t keto? For my family, I often plate the base and meat, then arrange the toppings in separate small bowls for everyone to grab what they like. This is also a great way to make a meal if you have some family members following a keto diet and some not — you can all have the same meal, and just make a regular rice base for those who aren’t low carb.
Variations & Toppings
There are so many ways to customize this keto bowl — I’ve made it lots of ways based on what I had around the house! Here are some of them:
- Meats – Swap the protein with my beef barbacoa, taco meat, pulled pork, or grilled shrimp. I’ve also just seasoned Instant Pot shredded chicken using taco seasoning.
- Cheese – My kids love a sprinkle of Mexican blend on top of these, but shredded cheddar or pepper jack are great options as well.
- Base – If you’re not a fan of cauliflower rice, you can use romaine lettuce to make this a salad bowl. I’ve also really enjoyed using cilantro lime taco slaw as a base.
- Vegetarian – Replace the protein with a fried egg, fajita veggies, or shredded cheese. Black beans are not keto, but they make a nice protein option if you’re following a more flexible low carb lifestyle.
- Sauces – I thought sour cream and tomatoes were enough, but you can definitely make this more saucy! Try my homemade queso on top, or drizzle on the creamy sauce from my taco bowl recipe. Another way to add moisture (and heat) is by swapping the tomatoes with fresh tomato salsa or salsa verde.
- Chips – If you like extra crunch, serve this Chipotle keto bowl with a side of my keto tortilla chips. I actually love them crushed on top!
Chipotle Keto Bowl (20 Minutes)
Make your own Chipotle keto bowl at home in just 20 minutes! It's loaded with tender steak and fresh toppings, and easy to customize.
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Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
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Make the cilantro lime cauliflower rice like this.
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In a large bowl, toss the steak with 1 tablespoon olive oil, lime juice, and taco seasoning.
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Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, until shimmering. Add the steak in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until browned on both sides.
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Divide the cauliflower rice into 4 bowls, 1 cup each. Top with steak, tomatoes, onions, avocado, and sour cream.
Did You Like It?
Leave a rating to help other readers (this also helps me continue to provide free recipes on my site), or get the recipe sent to your inbox.
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 bowl, or 1/4 entire recipe
- Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you make your steak even more tender or an option to make it medium-rare, plus my shortcuts for meal prep or catering to picky eaters.
- Store: Keep the toppings and cooked parts in separate containers in the fridge for up to 3 days (just wait on the avocado — slice that fresh).
- Reheat: Warm up the steak and cauliflower rice in the microwave, on the stove, or in the oven at 350 degrees F.
- Freeze: You can freeze the steak and cauliflower rice for up to 3 months. Just thaw in the fridge, reheat, and add the fresh stuff when you’re ready to eat.
📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Easy Keto Carboholics’ Cookbook here.
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy.
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Chipotle Keto Bowl
More Keto Bowls
If you like this recipe, I’ve got more ways you can build a keto bowl next time! Try these recipes:
26 Comments
Janet
0This is delicious! I added chopped mini cucumbers for crunch, and I used a little more taco seasoning for more intense flavor. Wonderful!! Thank you Maya!
Wholesome Yum D
0I’m so glad you liked it, Janet! And, I love the idea of adding mini cucumbers for extra crunch!
Jo
0First time I have absolutely loved cauliflower rice, such a filling and healthy meal full of different fresh flavours will be making this over and over.
Mindy
0I made these bowls for dinner last night, and they’ll definitely make an appearance again. The flank steak had the best flavor, and it was truly quick and easy to whip up. Thank you!
Destiny
0This recipe makes keto eating enjoyable. The combination of ingredients is so satisfying. Will make this again for next week’s meal prep.
Niko
0You hooked me at “20 minutes” but it was the flavor of this bowl that’s made me whip it up twice! It’s such a comforting bowl!
Tammy
0Love that this is packed with protein and healthy goodness! perfect for my keto diet. I’ll make another one of these next week. Thank you!
Chanel
0Tried this keto burrito bowl recipe this morning, and it’s incredible! Simple ingredients yet so flavorful.
Rosalinda
0Wow! This was amazing and so easy. Thank you. Thank you. Your recipes invite me to eat healthier.
Kristy
0Freakin’ delicious! I could eat this everyday! I made some chipotle mayo to go alongside, and added pickled jalapenos to the mix. Everyone enjoyed it… so much so that we didn’t have any leftovers.
Susan
0Made this for dinner last night and enjoyed it (I wish I’d remembered to use the avocado I bought). I decided to serve it over your Lime Cilantro Taco Slaw in place of the cauliflower rice. Definitely an easy, keeper recipe. And I would do it with the slaw again.
Ramona
0Super refreshing and delicious. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Katie Crenshaw
0I wanted to eat something healthy tonight, so I made this. The flank steak was so delicious. Everything was easy to make. I will make it again.
Wholesome Yum A
0This bowl was delicious and loaded with flavor! The cilantro and lime in the cauliflower rice added such a nice brightness. We will definitely make this again.
Veenaazmanov
0Love the combinations and love the presentation too. I just want to grab it all. Looks yum.
Marta
0I was getting bored with making flank steak for the same ol’ recipes, so thankfully this popped up in my search. It was a great, filling lunch, and I even enjoyed the cauliflower lime rice.
Liz
0I love this idea for a quick lunch meal, too!
Marcellina
0Flank steak is so tasty but I’ve never used it in this way. This is a great recipe with amazing flavors! Thank you so much. My family adored this!
Nancy
0Perfect! I was looking for a flavourful keto bowl!!
Amy
0I love everything about this burrito bowl. I especially love that you used cauliflower rice. So much flavor too.
Colleen
0I love this burrito bowl and cooked a flank steak just for making these for meal prep. Thanks for sharing!
Natalie
0Yum! Love this bowl & love that it’s keto friendly! Filling, healthy, & so tasty!!
Toni
0This is really amazing!! My family loved it. I will definitely make it again!
Kristyn
0Thank you so much for sharing this tasty meal!! I think I’ll be making it weekly!! It was packed with delicious flavors & left me feeling full & happy!
Jennifer
0I have made this 3 times since you posted it and I can’t get enough!!
Betsy
0I make these all the time now for lunch for the week! So yummy!