Steak Avocado Roasted Corn Bowl Sauce (Printable)

Tender steak, charred corn, and creamy avocado bowls get a zesty kick from a silky cilantro cream sauce. A vibrant, satisfying meal.

# Components:

→ 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
22 - 1 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves, stems removed
23 - 1 clove garlic
24 - Juice of 1 lime
25 - 2 tablespoons water
26 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Method:

01 - Whisk together olive oil, minced garlic, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish until well combined.
02 - Add the flank steak to the dish, turning to coat both sides completely. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for maximum flavor.
03 - Preheat grill, grill pan, or broiler to high heat. Brush corn with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Cook, turning occasionally, until charred and tender, about 8–10 minutes. Let cool slightly, then cut kernels off the cob.
04 - Combine sour cream, mayonnaise, cilantro, garlic, lime juice, salt, and pepper in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until pourable. 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 3–4 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.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The cilantro cream sauce is the kind of thing you will want to put on everything from tacos to eggs
  • Every bowl has tender charred corn, creamy avocado, and steak that actually stays juicy because of the smart resting step
  • This recipe proves you can eat something that feels fancy on a weeknight without burning out your entire evening
02 -
  • Slicing against the grain is nonnegotiable for flank steak, or you will end up chewing through tough fibers instead of tender bites
  • The sauce thickens up in the fridge, so pull it out 10 minutes before serving and whisk in another splash of water if needed
  • Charred corn keeps well for two days, so you can knock out that step the night before and save yourself some stress
03 -
  • Pat the steak dry before searing if you want a better crust, even though some marinade clings to the surface
  • Make double the sauce and use the extra throughout the week on grain bowls or as a dip for roasted vegetables
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