A vegetarian burrito bowl is perfect for any meal. Packed with rice, black beans, salads and other add-ins; this is easy to meal prep. Super customizable and always delicious.
Weeknight meals call for something delicious, easy to make and clean-up. Bowls of various kinds are a favorite in our house.
Whether it is an Indian inspired bowl or the Buddha bowl, we enjoy them all. It is not only a great way to combine flavors; it is an awesome way to use up any leftovers like rice, beans, sauces etc.
From all the different kinds of bowls, the Burrito bowl inspired by Chipotle is always a winner!
We love Mexican food and this bowl works really well. It has the perfect mix of flavors and is super compromising in terms of replacing home-made sauces etc with store bought ones.
What is a Burrito Bowl?
Burrito is a popular Tex-Mex recipe made using a large flour tortilla and various fillings like beans, guacamole, salsa, fajita, rice etc.
When these same things are added in a bowl, you get a Burrito bowl.
The ingredients in the bowl can vary based on preferences; but in essence it replicates what you would have in a Mexican burrito.
Usually the bowl has some white or brown rice and some pinto, black or kidney beans at the bottom. This is followed by some salad like fajita, pico de gallo or just lettuce.
It is then topped with various sides like guacamole, corn salsa, shredded cheese, hot or mild salsa and sour cream.
The bowl can be enjoyed as is or with a side of tortilla. It tastes great both ways.
Ingredients
To make this Burrito bowl you need a bunch of things. You may choose to add them all or skip some based on preferences.
Rice: Basmati rice or any long grain rice works well for the recipe. Whether you are using white or brown, they can be cooked in water or broth for the bowl.
Quinoa or a blend of rice and quinoa is a great option for the recipe too.
Beans: Beans add so much flavor to the Burrito bowl. Pick your favorite from black, kidney or pinto beans for the recipe.
The beans can be made before hand using this recipe.
Fajita: A mix of peppers and onions, this stir-fry is my favorite in any Mexican dish. The smokiness from the cooking and the flavors make all the dishes super amazing.
Make these in a cast iron pan for best results. Sprinkle some oregano or taco seasoning to get a great flavor.
Guacamole: A dip made from ripe avocados, onions, peppers, jalapeños and spices; guacamole adds a lot of creaminess and taste to the bowl.
Substitute with avocado slices or cubes if in a rush.
Salsa: The bowl tastes best with some salsa. Whether you are using roasted corn salsa or pico de gallo; these can be made before hand.
Adding some store bought hot or mild salsa works really well too.
Other add-ins: To complete this bowl add in some sour cream, shredded cheese, shredded lettuce and tortilla chips. Serve with a large tortilla on the side.
To make the bowl Vegan, skip the cream and cheese or use dairy free alternatives.
Tips and Notes
- The ingredients for the bowl can be prepped in advance. Make everything except the guacamole and refrigerate. Slice the avocado and you have the bowl ready in under 10 minutes.
- Use store bought sour cream, shredded cheese and salsa to make the bowl in a rush.
- Canned pinto or black beans works well in the recipe. The same can be made from scratch too.
- Set all the ingredients in bowls of you are preparing this for a party. Each person can customize their bowl from the spread.
Frequently asked questions
Can the bowl be made Vegan?
Certainly! Just replace dairy cheese with non-dairy cheese and skip the sour cream. The rest of the ingredients are Vegan.
How long can the ingredients be stored?
All ingredients except guacamole can be made a couple of days in advance. They should be refrigerated to maintain freshness.
Can the bowl be made without white rice?
Definitely. Replace white rice by brown rice, quinoa or even a salad mix. The rest of the ingredients go well with them.
Step by Step Instructions to make Burrito Bowl
Make the Rice
I like to use basmati rice for this recipe. To make the rice wash and drain 1 cup rice.
Add the rice and 1 cup water in the Instant Pot. Add ⅛ teaspoon salt and close the lid. Set the mode to pressure cook on high and time to 4 minutes.
Once the cooking is done, wait for 5 minutes before releasing all the pressure. Open the lid and fluff using a fork. Set aside.
Make the Beans
For this recipe I used black beans. To make them in the Instant Pot use this recipe. The same recipe works for pinto beans and kidney beans too.
Make the Fajita
In a cast iron pan add ¼ teaspoon oil. Heat on high flame.
Once hot, add sliced onions and peppers. Let them char for a couple of minutes. Then add a pinch of salt, ¼ teaspoon dried oregano and a pinch of cumin powder.
Mix well and set aside.
Make the Corn Salsa
Make the pico de gallo by mixing chopped onions, tomatoes, cilantro, salt, lemon juice and pepper powder.
In a pan add ¼ teaspoon oil. Heat and add 1 cup frozen corn and 2 tablespoon of the prepared pico de gallo and mix well. Add some more salt if required and serve.
To assemble the Bowl
Add cooked rice, beans and shredded lettuce in a bowl.
Add the prepared corn salsa, pico de gallo and fajita.
Top with sour cream, shredded cheese, guacamole and serve with a side of tortilla.
Yield: 2 full size bowls
Vegetarian Burrito Bowl
A vegetarian burrito bowl is perfect for any meal. Packed with rice, black beans, salads and other add-ins; this is easy to meal prep. Super customizable and always delicious.
Prep time: 40 MinCook time: 10 MinTotal time: 50 Min
Ingredients
For the Rice
- Basmati/Long grain rice 1 cup
- Water 1 cup
- Salt ⅛ tsp
For the Pico De Gallo
- Onion 1 medium, diced
- Tomato 1 medium, diced
- Cilantro 3-4 stalks
- Salt ¼ tsp
- Pepper powder ⅛ tsp
- Lime Juice ¼ tsp
For the Fajita
- Onion ½ medium, sliced
- Red pepper ½ medium, sliced
- Green pepper ½ medium, sliced
- Yellow pepper ½ medium, sliced
- Salt ¼ tsp
- Cumin powder a pinch
- Dried Oregano ¼ tsp
- Oil ½ tsp
Other Ingredients
- Frozen corn 1 cup
- Oil ¼ tsp
- Black beans 1 cup using this recipe
- Guacamole 1 cup using this recipe
- Sour Cream ¼ cup
- Shredded Cheese ¼ cup
- Shredded Lettuce 1 cup
Instructions
To make the Rice
- Add the rice and 1 cup water in the Instant Pot.
- Add ⅛ teaspoon salt and close the lid.
- Set the mode to pressure cook on high and time to 4 minutes.
- Once the cooking is done, wait for 5 minutes before releasing all the pressure.
- Open the lid and fluff using a fork. Set aside.
To make the Beans
- For this recipe I used black beans. To make them in the Instant Pot use this recipe.
- The same recipe works for pinto beans and kidney beans too.
To make the Fajita
- In a cast iron pan add oil. Heat on high flame.
- Once hot, add sliced onions and peppers. Let them char for a couple of minutes.
- Then add salt, dried oregano and cumin powder.
- Mix well and set aside.
To make the Corn Salsa
- Make the pico de gallo by mixing chopped onions, tomatoes, cilantro, salt, lemon juice and pepper powder.
- In a pan add ¼ teaspoon oil.
- Heat and add 1 cup frozen corn and 2 tablespoon of the prepared pico de gallo.
- Mix well.
- Add some more salt if required and serve.
To assemble the Bowl
- Add cooked rice, beans and shredded lettuce in a bowl.
- Add the prepared corn salsa, pico de gallo and fajita.
- Top with sour cream, shredded cheese, guacamole and serve with a side of tortilla.
Notes:
- The ingredients for the bowl can be prepped in advance. Make everything except the guacamole and refrigerate. Slice the avocado and you have the bowl ready in under 10 minutes.
- Use store bought sour cream, shredded cheese and salsa to make the bowl in a rush.
- Canned pinto or black beans works well in the recipe. The same can be made from scratch too.
- Set all the ingredients in bowls of you are preparing this for a party. Each person can customize their bowl from the spread.
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