Veggie Burrito Bowls
These veggie burrito bowls are the perfect easy Tex-Mex dinner – especially when they’re piled up with your favourite toppings!
Can anything beat a bit of Tex-Mex? Give me anything with beans, rice, veggies and cheese, in any combination, and I’m more than happy. These veggie burrito bowls are the perfect example – they’re nothing fancy, just everything piled up in one big, beautiful heap – but my word, they’re good.
What is a burrito bowl?
A burrito bowl is essentially a burrito – but un-burritoed.
It’s all the stuff you would usually find wrapped up in a big tortilla to make an amazing vegetarian burrito, but served in a bowl instead. Rice, beans, and plenty of veggies.
I love a good burrito as much as the next person, but sometimes I fancy something a bit lighter, or (more likely) I just don’t have any tortillas to hand – and a burrito bowl is a great alternative.
Black bean burrito bowls
These veggie burrito bowls are really, really straightforward to make. Start by cooking off some veggies in a pan – I went for spring onions, peppers and tomatoes – and add some black beans.
I know I go on about black beans all the time, but it’s only because they’re the ultimate bean – they’re little and soft, with a lovely deep flavour. They go perfectly in these burrito bowls, and hold up really well against the other smoky, spicy flavours.
Brown rice
Next, add some cooked rice. I used brown rice, because it’s got a nice nutty flavour that works really well, and a lovely chewy texture. It makes these burrito bowls feel extra hearty.
White rice would work just fine too, of course!
Just mix it all together, and you’re basically done! A good splash of your favourite hot sauce ties everything in together and makes your lovely bowlful really tasty.
But don’t forget one of the most important parts of these burrito bowls…
The toppings!
A meal like this is just crying out for a few toppings. I say this every time I post this type of Tex-Mex recipe, but it’s true – Tex-Mex food is just perfect for topping with all sorts of tasty extras:
- grated cheese (I melted mine in the microwave)
- chopped spring onions
- salsa
- fresh coriander (cilantro)
- sour cream
- avocado or guacamole
Really, just go mad with toppings. Every topping you add will lift these veggie burrito bowls further and further into deliciousness!
Can I make a vegan burrito bowl?
Absolutely! The main recipe of these veggie burrito bowls is actually vegan anyway. I added some cheese on top of mine, but you could easily swap it for vegan cheese, or just choose a few vegan toppings from the list above instead.
Alternatively, if you fancy something a bit different, you might also like my quinoa and roasted chickpea vegan burrito bowls!
It’s really hard to go wrong with these veggie burrito bowls.
More Tex-Mex Recipes
Veggie Burrito Bowls
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Print Pin Comment(if you suffer from allergies, please double check all ingredients before eating)
Ingredients
- 150 g (~ 3/4 cup) brown rice
- 1 tbsp oil
- 3 spring onions, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, diced (I used yellow)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ~ 12 cherry tomatoes, halved
- 400 g tin black beans, drained (240g, or ~ 1 1/4 cups, when drained)
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt
- Black pepper
- 100 ml (~ 1/3 cup) vegetable stock
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (however hot you like it)
- Your choice of toppings, to serve, e.g. grated cheese, sour cream, guacamole, fresh coriander (cilantro), etc.
Instructions
- Cook the brown rice according to the instructions on the packet – I boil mine in plenty of water until it's just soft (around 20 minutes), then drain.
- Meanwhile, heat a dash of oil in a large, deep frying pan, and add the spring onions, diced pepper and garlic. Cook over a medium heat for 5 minutes, until softened.
- Add the halved cherry tomatoes, black beans, paprika, and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for a few minutes more, until the tomatoes are just softened. You can squish them a little to release their juice if you like.
- When the rice is cooked, add it to the vegetables, along with a little vegetable stock and a dash of hot sauce. Mix well to combine. Check the seasoning (you might want a little more hot sauce!), and serve with your choice of toppings.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate, and will depend on your exact ingredients. Please calculate your own nutritional values if you require accuracy for health reasons.
This looks fast, easy and delicious so that has to be good for you right?
Hi Becca! This looks fabulous! I saw this recipe on Meal Planning Maven’s FB page. Good for you guys for making a conscious effort to eat clean! I would never be able to give up cheese..never. I don’t believe in omitting any food in my diet…everything in moderation is my motto. Cheese can easily fit into a well-balanced meal. Same with whole grains. I guess I’ve been brainwashed in school about all the benefits of eating whole grains ;).
Thanks for stopping by :) Yeah I know some people think that all grains, even whole grains, are terrible, but I’ve never quite understood why!
Gah i don’t know if my last comment went or not!! I love this and your style of clean eating… I also love cheese and am glad it’s got it!
Oh jngs, I’ve never thought of that before, but I do love this dish. As usual you geet it spot on for me.
I could live off of nothing but rice bowls. They are my very favorite, and this one looks yum!
For me, when I do my “clean eating” , it would be no to cheese, but yes to tinned tomatoes – the opposite of you! But am a little sensitive to dairy so that’s mainly why. Anyway, the burrito bowl looks delicious and I bet the fresh tomatoes make it even better. Good luck!
Ha well tbh I’m just making it up as I go along ;) my rule seems to be, if there’s anything weird sounding on the label, don’t eat it! But yeah I’d usually view tinned tomatoes as far healthier than cheese, I just can’t give up my cheese! ;)
I’m wracking my brain trying to figure out how to paleo-ify this, because that’s been my “cleanse” lately. No beans or rice. Maybe I’d sub rice for quiona, but I’m coming up empty on the beans. I LOVE burrito bowls!
Ooh quinoa would be a good substitute. I’m guessing no chickpeas allowed either? I reckon if you just amped up the toppings you’d get just as much enjoyment even without the beans – some fresh tomato on top, maybe some avocado? :)
If this is what eating clean looks like, I’m in! That looks delicious. I could never give up cheese, but it is nice to cut out processed foods once in a while – I always feel healthier when I do. It’s so hard to resist when the treats make the rounds at the office though!
These look amazing!!! I love burrito bowls.:)
Good for you guys! It takes a lot of dedication and awareness to do a cleanse of sorts. I’ve long wondered if eliminating dairy would have a positive effect for my body…but have never had the willpower to try for any length of time, haha.
The processed foods is tricky, but again, really admirable! I love Quorn, too :)
Eager to see what kinds of helpful advice you might receive! Though I wouldn’t say you’re ever doing anything *wrong*, no matter what someone else’s experience might be. Everyone’s bodies, diets and preferences are different, and what works for one person may not work for someone else. Just do what feels right for you guys!