This recipe is for how to make burrito bowls at home. As you will see, it uses a variety of many ingredients that could go into a traditional Mexican burrito. Additionally, they’re served as layers in a bowl instead. Also, this is listed in our Mexican Cuisine, Rice, and Main Courses categories.
What is a Burrito Bowl?
A Burrito Bowl is a full meal of a burrito in a bowl. However, there’s no tortilla. So, after you’ve learned how to make burrito bowls at home, eat it with a fork. Plain and simple. And, in reality, you wouldn’t put all these things into a single burrito. This is a full meal, not a sandwich! So, you’re getting a lot more nutrients and great flavors. And, because it’s open in a bowl, many have changed up the ingredients in a whole lot of ways.
Most of these burrito bowls will have a lot more than what’s typically on a burrito. Because of this, you get a nutritious and very filling entire meal with this. Read on for learning how to make this healthy and delicious easy dinner. Also, it has a very surprising origin, which you’ll find out.
Burrito Bowl Homemade
Since there are a lot of ways of how to make burrito bowls at home, you can add or skip as many ingredients as you want. Also, there are some common layers that are done in a sequence but everyone does it different. So, here are some of those layers and their optional ingredients for each.
Base Burrito-style LAYERS for How To Make Burrito Bowls at Home
- Rice (Mexican Rice – aka Spanish Rice, Cilantro Lime Rice, or Brown Rice)
- Black Beans, seasoned
- Refried Beans
Meat Layer (or skip it for a meatless burrito bowl)
- Meat Choice (freshly cooked or leftover)
- grilled chicken
- steak
- ground beef)
TOPPINGS for How To Make Burrito Bowls at Home
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Romaine Lettuce, shredded
- Tomato, diced
- Salsa
- Guacamole or Avocado
- Pico de Gallo
- Corn
Garnishes & Final Toppers
- Cilantro
- Lime Juice
- Chipotle Ranch Dressing, Creamy Chipotle, or Sour Cream
How To Make Burrito Bowls at Home: Step-by-Step
Follow the Burrito Bowl Prep step-by-step. Then, you can easily make it from scratch at home. It’s healthier than eating out. Also, you get to customize what goes in it.
- Cook the Rice. It can be Mexican rice (aka Spanish rice), brown rice, or others as shown in recipe.
2. Cook and cutup the meat (diced or strips). Then, season the meat, if not done previously.
3. Season the Black Beans and heat up.
4. Heat up the refried beans.
5. Start your base layers to build your Burrito Bowl.
6. Add your toppings such as the Salsa, Guacamole, Pico de Gallo, or other. See the RECIPE for ingredients & entire process.
Rice for Burrito Bowl Recipe
Most will make this with a Mexican rice recipe. Also, you can use a Spanish rice or even a Brown rice if you prefer. Lastly, if you must, you could use a basic white rice recipe. Now, if you’re making a rice other than Mexican rice, just make it according to package instructions. However, we do show you how to make the classic Mexican rice for this.
Homemade Burrito Bowl Healthy
There are healthy aspects to a homemade burrito bowl. Because of this, many will go for it because it’s protein-rich and low in fat. And, being customizable, it’s easy to go vegetarian and leave out the meat. Also, it’s not a burrito, so you’re also “breadless” without the tortilla. That will reduce the gluten intake. Traditional Mexican restaurants typically use gluten-free tortillas. Regardless, Burrito Bowls are pretty healthy and filling. Therefore, they rapidly gained in popularity.
The nutritional values are shown in the recipe. Also, here’s a great article that will help guide you on healthy customizing of your own burrito bowl. It’s “7 Reasons Why The Burrito Bowl Is The Best Meal For Weight Loss” by Derek Mulch. And, he explains how to make your choices very well.
How to Make Burrito Bowls at Home Nutrition
This full meal, using all optional ingredients, gives a single serving of about 580 calories. The detailed nutritional values are shown in the <Print Recipe> option. Finally, this recipe’s nutritional health metrics are use ALL of the optional toppings and ingredients completely.
How long can I keep a Burrito Bowl in the Fridge?
You can keep it in the fridge for about 3 days (some say 3-5) and reheat it for a tasty dinner or lunch. However, keep the key ingredients in separate containers. Then, it will still have that quality gourmet flavor. So, ensure you’ve avoided adding some of the fresh produce toppings like shredded lettuce or diced tomatoes. For this reason, you’ll have good quality storage.
What to Serve with Burrito Bowls?
A popular side are Tortilla Chips and Salsa. However, some it with Nachos and Cheese Dip. Some will make a meatless burrito bowl and then have Ground Beef Tacos along with it. Top it off with a helpful adult beverage such as a Margarita adds to the theme.
Burrito Bowl Origin
Here’s the true story about the surprising Burrito Bowl origin. So, in late 2016, the U.S. Army announced that in 2017, a new packaged to go (for field operations) chicken burrito meal without the tortilla was coming. It took hold and rapidly became extremely popular. Then, in mid-2022, it’s been trending for people wanting to learn how to make it at home. Here’s the article on the origin of the Burrito Bowl from the Army Times.
Conclusion of How To Make Burrito Bowls at Home
Now you’ve learned how to make to make burrito bowls at home. So, comment below and tell me how it went! What toppings did you use on yours? Did you do something different you want to share? Tell me about it.
Recipe for Burrito Bowls
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Ingredients
Mexican Rice
- 1½ cup water
- ½ Tbsp butter or olive oil
- ⅓ cup tomato sauce
- ⅓ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp cilantro, freeze dried
- 1 tsp lime juice
- ⅓ tsp onion powder
- ¾ cup white rice
Seasoned Meat
- 1 lb chicken or other meat diced or strips of cooked chicken, beef, or ground beef
- ⅓ tsp Garlic Powder
- ⅓ tsp onion powder
- ⅓ tsp ground cumin
- ⅛ tsp Ground Black Pepper
Seasoned Black Beans
- 1 Tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
- ½ large onion diced
- 1 can canned black beans 15 oz can, not drained
- 2 tsp minced garlic or ½ amount of garlic powder
- 2 Tbsp cilantro, freeze dried
- ⅓ tsp ground cumin
Refried Beans
- 1 can refried beans 16 oz. can
Toppings (All Optional)
- 2 leaves Romaine Lettuce shredded
- 2 ozs shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 Tbsp salsa
- 4 Tbsp Guacamole or avocado
- 4 Tbsp Pico de Gallo
- 4 Tbsp diced tomatoes
- 4 Tbsp diced onions
- 4 Tbsp sour cream or Chipotle Ranch dressing
Instructions
- RICE: Combine all "Mexican Rice" ingredients (except the rice): water, butter, tomato sauce, cumin, cilantro, lime juice, onion powder. Bring to a boil. Add the rice, return to a boil, turn OFF heat, cover pan, and let sit for 25 minutes (covered) on the same burner. When done, fluff it up with a fork.1½ cup water, ½ Tbsp butter, ⅓ cup tomato sauce, ⅓ tsp ground cumin, ½ tsp cilantro, freeze dried, 1 tsp lime juice, ¾ cup white rice, ⅓ tsp onion powder
- MEAT: Boil, grill, or cook the meat of choice. For example, cut up boneless chicken breast(s) into strips and boil for 20 minutes. Then, drain and cool down over cold water. Dice or cut up into smaller strips and mix up with the "Seasoned Meat" ingredients of garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and black pepper. If not boiling meat, you can grill or cook it optionally with the seasonings already applied as a rub.1 lb chicken or other meat, ⅓ tsp Garlic Powder, ⅓ tsp onion powder, ⅓ tsp ground cumin, ⅛ tsp Ground Black Pepper
- BLACK BEANS: Sauté the onions in oil for about 5 minutes. Then, add in the rest of the "Seasoned Black Beans" ingredients (black beans, garlic, cilantro, cumin) and heat up for about 5 minutes. Then, keep warm until ready to serve.1 can canned black beans, ½ large onion, 1 Tbsp olive oil, 2 tsp minced garlic, 2 Tbsp cilantro, freeze dried, ⅓ tsp ground cumin
- REFRIED BEANS: Heat up the refried beans in a small saucepan or microwave and set aside.1 can refried beans
- TOPPINGS & SERVE: After prepping the chosen toppings, you're ready to serve!On a dinner plate, platter, or wide bowl, serve the layers in this sequence: rice, black beans, refried beans, toppings. Optionally, finish toppings with sour cream or Chipotle ranch dressing. Can serve alongside Tortilla chips and salsa.2 ozs shredded cheddar cheese, 2 leaves Romaine Lettuce, 8 Tbsp salsa, 4 Tbsp Guacamole, 4 Tbsp Pico de Gallo, 4 Tbsp diced tomatoes, 4 Tbsp diced onions, 4 Tbsp sour cream