How to Make a Great Burrito Bowl

I love Burrito Bowls. They are the ultimate easy plant-based meal, and they are seen frequently on our family’s table. To keep things interesting, I switch out the grains, proteins, sauces, and toppings. Here are some ideas to inspire your burrito bowls:

To make an optimally delicious and nutrient dense burrito bowl, simply follow the six-step meal formula:

1. Add a starch - For burrito bowls, this is frequently rice. Pick black, brown, white, or red. We also love roasted potatoes, or try barley or farro.

2. Add a protein source - For burrito bowls, you can’t go wrong with beans. My family is partial to black beans and roasted garbanzos, but pinto and fat-free refried beans are also classic choices.
   Or make Tofu Chorizo:www.cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016639-tofu-chorizo
   Or Walnut Taco Meat: www.minimalistbaker.com/10-minute-raw-vegan-taco-meat/
   Or Lentil Taco Meat: www.minimalistbaker.com/1-pot-smoky-lentil-vegan-taco-meat/
   Or Tempeh Taco Meat: www.wellplated.com/tempeh-tacos/

3. Add a ton of veggies - We like sweet corn, bell peppers, roasted veggies of all kinds, grilled onions, cherry tomatoes, jicama, and scallions. Aim for half of your bowl to be veggies.

4. Add something leafy - We almost always add shredded red or white cabbage for crunch and cilantro for added flavor. Any leafy veg is great, though.

5. Add a terrific nutrient-rich sauce - We often have three or four sauces on the table to pick from. Here are some ideas:

   • Store-bought salsa. We love fresh green salsa from the deli case.

   • Any hot sauce you love. I’m partial to Cholula.

   • Guacamole

   • Homemade salsa like these:
     www.smittenkitchen.com/2021/04/quick-easy-salsa/
     www.minimalistbaker.com/easy-red-salsa/

     www.cookieandkate.com/best-red-salsa-recipe/

     www.101cookbooks.com/salsa-recipe/

   • Pico de Gallo: www.thewell-nourishedbrain.com/blog/pico-de-gallo

   • Chipotle “Aioli”: www.thewell-nourishedbrain.com/blog/oil-free-potato-wedges-with-maple-chipotle-aioli

   • Spicy Cilantro Sauce: www.thewell-nourishedbrain.com/blog/spicy-cilantro-sauce

   • Argentinian Chimichurri Sauce: www.feastingathome.com/cilantro-chimichurri-sauce-recipe/

   • Cilantro Crema: www.thewell-nourishedbrain.com/blog/oil-free-cilantro-crema

   • Magic Ancho Chile Relish: www.101cookbooks.com/archives/magic-ancho-chile-relish-recipe.html

   • Fruit Salsa: www.thewell-nourishedbrain.com/blog/oil-free-fruit-salsa

   • Peruvian Aji Verde: www.feastingathome.com/peruvian-burritos/#tasty-recipes-37539-jump-target

6. Add flavor boosters / toppings - Our favorites are avocado, toasted pepitas, pickled onions, sliced jalapeños, and oven baked tortilla strips. (Just slice corn tortillas into strips, toss them on a parchment lined cookie sheet, top them with a little salt or other seasonings, and bake until crispy.)

If you prefer to follow a recipe, here are some ideas from my favorite plant-centered chefs:

Better than Chipotle Burrito Bowls: www.sweetpotatosoul.com/ultimate-vegan-burrito-bowl/

Grilled Portobellos with Pineapple Salsa Burrito Bowl: www.loveandlemons.com/vegan-burrito-bowl-recipe/

Spicy Sweet Potato and Green Rice Burrito Bowl: www.cookieandkate.com/vegan-sweet-potato-green-rice-burrito-bowls/

Spicy Mexican Oaxacan Bowl: www.feastingathome.com/vegan-oaxacan-bowl/

Burrito Bowl with Stuffed Sweet Potatoes: www.rainbowplantlife.com/healthy-burrito-bowl-stuffed-sweet-potatoes/

These are just a few ideas to get you started in creating an easy burrito bowl spread for your weekly meal rotation. At our house, I simply lay out all the meal components, put multiple sauces on the table, and everyone makes their own bowls how they like them. The leftovers make fabulous lunches.

Happy Eating!
🌱💕