Brown Rice Burrito Bowl (Printable)

Satisfying burrito bowl with brown rice, beans, colorful vegetables, queso, and sour cream. Vegetarian and gluten-free.

# Ingredient List:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup uncooked brown rice
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1/2 tsp salt

→ Beans

04 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
05 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
07 - 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
08 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Vegetables

09 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
10 - 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
11 - 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
12 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
13 - 1 small red onion, finely diced
14 - 1 avocado, sliced
15 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Dairy & Toppings

16 - 1/2 cup queso fresco or shredded cheddar cheese
17 - 1/2 cup sour cream
18 - 1 lime, cut into wedges

# Steps:

01 - Rinse rice under cold water. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add rice and salt, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30-35 minutes until tender and water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork.
02 - In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine black beans, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat through for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
03 - Dice peppers, halve tomatoes, dice onion, and slice avocado. If using fresh corn, steam or grill briefly as desired.
04 - Divide cooked rice among 4 bowls. Top each with black beans, bell peppers, corn, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and avocado slices.
05 - Sprinkle queso fresco or cheddar cheese, add a dollop of sour cream, and garnish with cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Every ingredient can be prepped ahead, so dinner comes together in minutes when you're starving.
  • The combination of creamy, tangy, and smoky flavors makes each bite feel complete without being heavy.
  • It's endlessly customizable, so picky eaters and adventurous ones can both be happy at the same table.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice, it removes excess starch and keeps the grains from clumping into a sticky mess.
  • Warm the beans gently with the spices instead of just microwaving them cold, it makes a huge difference in flavor.
  • Slice the avocado last and squeeze a little lime juice over it if you're not serving immediately, it prevents browning.
03 -
  • Toast the cumin and chili powder in a dry pan for 30 seconds before adding the beans, it deepens the flavor dramatically.
  • Use day-old rice if you have it, it's less sticky and holds its shape better in the bowl.
  • Always taste and adjust the lime and salt at the end, those two ingredients are what make everything sing together.
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