Spiced Pork Bowls with Charred Corn Esquites and Cilantro

Imagine building your perfect bowl at a taqueria, piling on all your favorite fillings and sides. That’s exactly the inspiration behind this dish: steamy jasmine rice, savory spiced ground pork, creamy Monterey Jack, and cool sour cream. But the real star is the esquites—a Mexican street corn salad with charred kernels, mayonnaise, lime, chili powder, and jalapeño.

This recipe brings all those bold flavors together in one satisfying bowl. It’s quick enough for a weeknight but feels like a special treat. The pork is browned with a Southwest spice blend, then simmered with beef stock for a rich, saucy finish. Meanwhile, the corn gets charred until smoky and sweet, then tossed with creamy mayo, cheese, and a kick of chili. Serve it all over fluffy rice, topped with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime.

Log in to save recipes and build weekly shopping lists.

Ingredients

0.5 cup Jasmine RiceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon MayonnaiseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

13.4 ounce CornView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Southwest Spice BlendView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 cup Monterey Jack CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LimeView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Chili PowderView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

10 ounce Ground PorkView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Beef Stock ConcentrateView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 tablespoon Sour CreamView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 ounce CilantroView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 teaspoon Cooking OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit JalapeñoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. In a small pot, combine rice, ¾ cup water (1½ cups for 4 servings), and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to a low simmer. Cook until rice is tender, 15–18 minutes. Keep covered off heat until ready to serve.
2. While rice cooks, drain the corn and pat it very dry with paper towels. Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over high heat (if using nonstick, heat without oil). Add the corn and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and lightly charred in spots, 4–6 minutes. If corn begins to pop, cover the pan. Transfer the charred corn to a large bowl and cover to keep warm. Wipe out the pan.
3. Meanwhile, wash and dry the produce. Quarter the lime. Mince the jalapeño, removing ribs and seeds for less heat.
4. Heat a drizzle of oil in the same pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground pork, Southwest Spice, half the chili powder (reserve the rest), and a big pinch of salt. Cook, breaking up the meat, until browned, 3–5 minutes. Stir in the beef stock concentrate and ¼ cup water (⅓ cup for 4 servings). Bring to a simmer and cook until the pork is saucy and cooked through, 2–3 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
5. While the pork cooks, stir the mayonnaise, half the Monterey Jack (save the rest for serving), remaining chili powder, and juice from half the lime into the bowl with the charred corn. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add more lime juice if desired. Stir in as much minced jalapeño as you like.
6. Fluff the rice with a fork and season with salt and pepper. Divide the rice between bowls and top with the pork, esquites (corn mixture), and remaining Monterey Jack. Dollop with sour cream. Pick cilantro leaves from stems, tear them, and sprinkle over the dish. For extra heat, top with any remaining jalapeño. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

Useful Cookware

A few helpful kitchen tools for this recipe, with relevant Amazon picks for each item.

Small pot

SENSARTE Nonstick Saucepan with Lid, 1.5 Quarts Small Pot with Swiss Granite Coating, Stay-cool Handle, Multipurpose Handy Sauce Pot Small Kitchen Cooking Pot, Induction Comptable, PFOA FreeView on AmazonCuisinart 1.5 Quart Sauce Pan with Cover, Stainless Steel Pot with Lid, Small Kitchen Pots, Dishwasher Safe, Compatible with Induction, Electric, Gas Cooktops, Oven Safe Saucepan, Cool Grip HandlesView on AmazonCuisinart 8919-14 Professional Series 1-Quart Saucepan with Cover, Stainless Steel, Mirror FinishView on Amazon

Paper towels

Scott Paper Towels, Choose-A-Sheet, 6 Double Rolls = 12 Regular Rolls (108 Sheets Per Roll)View on AmazonAmazon Basics 2-Ply Flex-Sheets Paper Towels, 12 Basics Rolls = 40 Regular Rolls, Everyday Value with 150 Sheets per Roll, Packaging May VaryView on AmazonBounty Quick-Size Paper Towels, White, 8 Family Triple Rolls = 27 Regular RollsView on Amazon

Strainer

Cuisinart, Mesh Strainers, Stainless Steel Mesh Strainers for Kitchen, Fine Mesh Kitchen Strainer Set for Sifting, Straining and Cooking, Ctg-00-3Ms, 3 CountView on Amazon3Pcs Super Wire Extra Fine Mesh Strainer with Handle, Small Medium Large Size Sifter Metal Strainer Set, Stainless Steel Sieve Fine Mesh Strainers for Kitchen Rice Juice Quinoa Food Flour Baking YLYLView on AmazonWinco Strainer with Single Fine Mesh, 8-Inch Diameter, Medium, Stainless Steel, Tan,SilverView on Amazon

Large pan

SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet with Lid, 12 Inch Large Deep Frying Pan, 5 Qt Non Stick Saute Pan with Cover, Induction Pan, Healthy Non Toxic Cooking Pan with Helper Handle, PFOA PFOS FreeView on AmazonFarberware Dishwasher Safe Nonstick Jumbo Cooker Chef's Pan with Lid and Helper Handle, Kitchen Cookware, 6-Quart, BlackView on AmazonSNOWCLAD Frying Pans Nonstick with Lid,Hybrid Non Stick 5 Quart Saute pan,PFOA Free Cookware,Stainless Steel skillet,12 inch Deep Saute Pan,Dishwasher&Oven Safe,Works on All CooktopsView on Amazon

Large bowl

Winco , 8-Quart, Stainless Steel (MXB-800Q)View on AmazonFox Run Brands 2.75-Quart Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl, 9 x 9 x 4 inches, MetallicView on AmazonMfacoy 2 Pack Salad Bowl, 8 inch 60 oz Large Serving Bowl Set, Deep Bowl for Kitchen, White Ceramic Bowl Set for Soup, Cereal, Ramen, Pasta, Salad, Dishwasher & Microwave Safe, Easy CleanView on Amazon

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different protein instead of ground pork?

Yes, ground beef, turkey, or chicken work well. Adjust cooking time as needed.

How do I make this dish less spicy?

Reduce or omit the chili powder and jalapeño. Use a mild chili powder if desired.

Can I prepare the corn esquites ahead of time?

Yes, you can char the corn and mix the esquites up to a day in advance. Store in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving.