Brown Rice Burrito Bowl (Printable)

Hearty burrito bowl featuring brown rice, seasoned black beans, fresh vegetables, creamy queso, and tangy sour cream.

# What You'll Need:

→ Grains

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

→ Beans

04 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
07 - 1/4 teaspoon 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 or frozen
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 and Toppings

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

# How to Make It:

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 to 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 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
03 - Dice bell peppers, halve cherry tomatoes, dice red onion, and slice avocado. If using fresh corn, steam or grill briefly if desired.
04 - Divide cooked rice among 4 serving bowls. Top each with black beans, bell peppers, corn, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and avocado slices.
05 - Sprinkle queso fresco or cheddar cheese over each bowl, add a dollop of sour cream, and garnish with cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in under an hour and you can prep the toppings while the rice simmers.
  • It's endlessly customizable so picky eaters and adventurous ones can build their own bowls.
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully and taste even better the next day when the flavors meld together.
  • You get that restaurant burrito bowl vibe without spending twelve dollars per person.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice or it will turn out gummy and sticky instead of fluffy and separate.
  • Season the beans while they're warming so the spices bloom and coat every bite instead of sitting on top.
  • Slice the avocado last because it browns quickly and you want it looking fresh and green when you serve.
03 -
  • Toast the cumin and chili powder in a dry pan for thirty seconds before adding the beans to unlock deeper, smokier flavors.
  • Use day old rice if you have it because it's drier and holds up better under all the toppings without getting mushy.
  • Char the corn in a hot skillet with a little oil until it's blistered and sweet, it adds a smoky depth that canned corn can't match.
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