How to Make a Burrito Bowl: The Ultimate Guide + 5 Surefire Winners
- Updated on Jul 05, 2018
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Welcome to our ultimate guide to homemade burrito bowls. We absolutely love burrito bowls and want to share them with as many people as we can.
Much like their infamous brother, the Buddha Bowl, they’re easy, healthy, and exceptionally tasty. Acai bowls rock, too.
And the best thing about burrito bowls? You can make them EXACTLY the way you like.
We’ve been making homemade burritos and various Mexican-inspired veggie dishes (like these authentically awesome tacos) for as long as I can remember – there are so many fantastic combinations available.
Creating your own new signature dish is great fun, too.
A homemade burrito bowl consists of four main parts. Those are: a base, a filling, a sauce, and the extras.
As mentioned, you can make a burrito bowl virtually anyway you want. Here are some ingredient ideas for each part, and below this I’ll show my favorite combos from ‘low-carb’ to ‘vegan delight’.
Homemade Vegetarian Burrito Bowls
The Base
Aptly named, this forms the base of your burrito bowl, and gives you something to work the rest of your ingredients around. Most bowls include just one base, though there’s no reason you can’t use more. Some ideas:
- White Rice
- Brown Rice
- Nachos (tortilla triangles)
- Cauliflower Rice
- Quinoa
The Filling
The filling usually consists of one or more of the following items. Add your favourites as you see fit:
- Beans (black, kidney or refried)
- Grilled vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, carrots, onion, mushrooms, corn and chili peppers cooked in spices
- Cherry tomatoes
- Red, green or brown lentils
The Sauce
There’s a huge range of personalisation to choose from here and this can be none, some or all. Throw on whatever you fancy, make it yours!
- Salsa / taco sauce
- Creme fraiche
- Sour cream
- Greek yogurt
- Cottage cheese
- Soy yoghurt
- Chipotle sauce
- Guacamole
- Pico de Gallo de Mango
Extras
Again, go for none, some or all. These add a twist to every homemade burrito bowl and really help to round off the meal.
- Grated cheese
- Sliced avocado with salt and lemon
- Jalapeños
- Crispy salad
Just put together a combination of the ingredients above into a suitable serving bowl and you’ll soon have a beautiful burrito bowl ready for dinner. Here are some of the best:
*the ingredients below are for two burrito bowls by default.
1. Low-carb Bowl of Desire
- Base – cauliflower rice
- Filling – grilled zucchini, carrot and red bell pepper
- Sauce – guacamole and cream fraiche
- Extras – grated cheese and crispy salad
Low-carb Bowl of Desire
Servings:2 bowls
Calories:404kcal
Ingredients
- ½ cauliflower
- ½ zucchini
- 1 carrot
- 1 bell pepper, red
- 2 tbsp fajita spice mix (or 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp paprika and ¼ tsp salt)
- 1 avocado
- ½ red onion (diced)
- 2 tomato (chopped)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp sour cream
- 4 tbsp grated cheese
Optional:
- ¼ cup cilantro/coriander, fresh
- 1 clove garlic (grated)
Instructions
- Blitz half a medium cauliflower head in a food processor (remove the leaves first). Add the now cauliflower-rice to a microwaveable bowl and microwave for 3 minutes in a 1000w microwave. Alternatively lay the rice on a baking tray and roast it in an oven for 12 minutes at 200°C/390°F, stirring once halfway-through. Add a dash of salt at the end, if desired.
- Chop the zucchini, carrot and red bell pepper into thin slices. Fry them in oil adding the spices (or the fajita spice mix).
- Make some guacamole: mash the avocado in a bowl. Dice half a red onion and add that, too. Chop and add the tomatoes. Add a little salt, pepper and the lemon juice. Optionally add a few coriander leaves, grated garlic and/or a chopped red pepper. Give it a good stir.
- Arrange everything nicely in your bowl, adding some creme fraiche, grated cheese and a few crispy salad leaves. Done!
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Low-carb Bowl of Desire
Amount per Serving
Calories
404
% Daily Value*
Fat
27
g
42
%
Saturated Fat
8
g
50
%
Cholesterol
24
mg
8
%
Sodium
439
mg
19
%
Potassium
1825
mg
52
%
Carbohydrates
37
g
12
%
Fiber
17
g
71
%
Sugar
15
g
17
%
Protein
13
g
26
%
Vitamin A
12057
IU
241
%
Vitamin C
192
mg
233
%
Calcium
241
mg
24
%
Iron
4
mg
22
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Tag @HurryTheFoodUp on Instagram so we can admire your masterpiece!
2. Bicep bustin’ high-protein Bowl
- Base – brown rice
- Filling – black or kidney beans, red lentils, grilled zucchini, green bell pepper and corn
- Sauce – greek yogurt or cottage cheese
- Extras – grated cheese
Bicep bustin’ high-protein Bowl
Servings:2 servings
Calories:623kcal
Ingredients
- ½ cup brown rice
- ½ cup red lentils, dried (uncooked)
- 1 tsp olive oil
- ½ zucchini
- 1 bell pepper, green
- ½ cup sweet corn (drained and rinsed)
- 1 cup black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 2 tbsp fajita spice mix (or 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp paprika and ¼ tsp salt)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup low fat cottage cheese
For garnish:
- 2 tbsp grated cheese
- 1 chili / jalapeño (chopped)
Instructions
- Cook brown rice according to packet instructions.
- Cook red lentils according to packet instructions.
- Chop zucchini, and the green bell pepper into thin slices. Grab the corn. Fry them in oil on medium heat for about 12 minutes, adding a little . If you don’t have a spice mix to hand simply add 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp paprika and ¼ tsp salt. Add 1 cup rinsed and drained black beans after about five minutes.
- Assemble all in a bowl with grated cheese and add some Greek yogurt or cottage cheese for a final high-protein kick! (Nutritional information chart uses cottage cheese)
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Bicep bustin’ high-protein Bowl
Amount per Serving
Calories
623
% Daily Value*
Fat
9
g
14
%
Saturated Fat
3
g
19
%
Cholesterol
11
mg
4
%
Sodium
533
mg
23
%
Potassium
1467
mg
42
%
Carbohydrates
103
g
34
%
Fiber
28
g
117
%
Sugar
9
g
10
%
Protein
36
g
72
%
Vitamin A
4212
IU
84
%
Vitamin C
93
mg
113
%
Calcium
194
mg
19
%
Iron
8
mg
44
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Tag @HurryTheFoodUp on Instagram so we can admire your masterpiece!
3. Speedy Gonzales
- Base – nachos
- Filling – black or kidney beans, cherry tomatoes, corn
- Sauce – taco sauce, creme fraiche
- Extras – grated cheese, sliced avocado with salt and lemon
Speedy Gonzales
Servings:1 serving
Calories:617kcal
Ingredients
- 2 tortillas
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ can black beans (drained and rinsed) (1 regular can = 15oz = 425g)
- 1 handful cherry tomatoes (chopped)
- ½ cup sweet corn (drained and rinsed)
- Salt to taste
Optional:
- 1 tbsp chipotle sauce (or taco sauce)
- 1 tbsp creme fraiche (or grated cheese)
- ½ small avocado (sliced)
- ½ lemon
Instructions
- Using scissors, layer two tortillas on top of each other and cut into triangles (halve, halve, and halve again). Layer the triangles onto a baking tray and sprinkle ½ tsp salt and ½ tsp cayenne pepper over them. Bake for about five minutes in an oven at 180°C/360°F.
- Heat the drained and rinsed black beans in a bowl in a microwave for about 60 seconds in a 1000w microwave. Also drain and rinse the sweet corn.
- Mix the black beans with a handful chopped cherry tomatoes and ½ cup corn and arrange in a bowl. Add the baked tortillas.
- Finish with taco or chipotle sauce, creme fraiche, grated cheese and some sliced avocado with a dash of salt and squeeze of lemon juice.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Speedy Gonzales
Amount per Serving
Calories
617
% Daily Value*
Fat
21
g
32
%
Saturated Fat
4
g
25
%
Sodium
543
mg
24
%
Potassium
1494
mg
43
%
Carbohydrates
95
g
32
%
Fiber
23
g
96
%
Sugar
11
g
12
%
Protein
22
g
44
%
Vitamin A
1226
IU
25
%
Vitamin C
61
mg
74
%
Calcium
140
mg
14
%
Iron
6
mg
33
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Tag @HurryTheFoodUp on Instagram so we can admire your masterpiece!
4. Vegan Delight
- Base – white rice
- Filling – grilled zucchini, red bell pepper, onion, mushrooms, corn and black or kidney beans
- Sauce – salsa and Pico de Gallo de Mango
- Extras – crispy salad
Vegan Delight
Servings:2 bowls
Calories:572kcal
Ingredients
- ½ cup white rice
- ½ zucchini
- 4 mushrooms
- 1 red onion
- 1 bell pepper, green
- ½ cup sweet corn (drained and rinsed)
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fajita spice mix (or 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp paprika and ¼ tsp salt)
- 1 cup black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 handful baby leaf salad
For the salsa:
- ½ can tomatoes, diced
- 1 tbsp basil, dried
- 1 tbsp parsley, dried
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the Pico de Gallo de Mango:
- ½ avocado
- ½ red onion
- ½ mango
- ½ lime (juiced)
- Salt to taste
- a few leaves cilantro/coriander, fresh
Optional
- 1 chili pepper
Instructions
- Cook the white rice according to package instructions.
- Chop the zucchini, mushrooms, onion and green bell pepper into thin slices and add the corn. Fry them in oil on medium heat for about 12 minutes, adding a little fajita spice mix. If you don’t have a spice mix to hand simply add 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp paprika and ¼ tsp salt. Add the rinsed and drained black beans after about five minutes.
- Grab some salsa! If you don’t have any, it’s very simple to make. If you like it spicy, chop a chili pepper up. Throw it all in a bowl, add chopped tomatoes, dried basil, dried parsley, salt and pepper. Give it all a good stir. Use fresh herbs if you have them, of course.
- Time for Pico de Gallo de Mango. Peel an avocado then mash the flesh in a bowl. Finely dice the onion and cut a mango into small cubes. Off it goes to the bowl as well. Season with lime’s juice, salt and a few chopped cilantro leaves.
- Arrange everything in a bowl, adding the Pico de Gallo and salsa sauce over the top with some crispy salad on the side. Done!
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Vegan Delight
Amount per Serving
Calories
572
% Daily Value*
Fat
13
g
20
%
Saturated Fat
2
g
13
%
Sodium
763
mg
33
%
Potassium
1813
mg
52
%
Carbohydrates
105
g
35
%
Fiber
22
g
92
%
Sugar
21
g
23
%
Protein
20
g
40
%
Vitamin A
5432
IU
109
%
Vitamin C
144
mg
175
%
Calcium
194
mg
19
%
Iron
8
mg
44
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Tag @HurryTheFoodUp on Instagram so we can admire your masterpiece!
5. Fuego del Dragon
- Base – white rice
- Filling – black or kidney beans, grilled zucchini, yellow bell pepper and chili peppers
- Sauce – spicy salsa and guacamole
- Extras – jalapeños and grated cheese
Fuego del Dragon
Servings:2 bowls
Calories:605kcal
Ingredients
- ½ cup white rice
- 1 tsp olive oil
- ½ zucchini
- 1 bell pepper, yellow
- 2 chili peppers
- 2 tbsp fajita spice mix (or 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp paprika and ¼ tsp salt)
- 1 cup black beans (cooked, drained and rinsed)
For the salsa:
- ½ can tomatoes, diced
- 1 tbsp basil, dried
- 1 tbsp parsley, dried
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
For guacamole:
- 1 avocado
- ½ red onion (diced)
- 2 small tomatoes
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Optional
- 2 tbsp grated cheese
- 1 chili / jalapeño (chopped)
Instructions
- Cook the white rice according to packet instructions.
- Chop the zucchini, yellow bell pepper and chili peppers into thin slices. Fry them in oil on medium heat for about 12 minutes, adding adding the spices (or the fajita spice mix). Add the rinsed and drained black beans after about five minutes.
- Grab some salsa! If you don’t have any, it’s very simple to make. If you like it spicy, chop a chili pepper up. Throw it all in a bowl, add chopped tomatoes, dried basil, dried parsley, salt and pepper. Give it all a good stir. Use fresh herbs if you have them, of course.
- Make some guac. You can do this by destoning an avocado and mashing it in a bowl. Dice the red onion and add that, too. Chop and the tomatoes. Add a little salt, pepper and lemon juice. Give it a good stir.
- Slice some jalapeños and grab some grated cheese. Arrange everything in a bowl, topped with the salsa and guacamole. Prepare for some heat!
NOTES
Lovely Add-Ons: Jalapeños, grated cheese, a few cilantro leaves and/or a chopped red pepper
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Fuego del Dragon
Amount per Serving
Calories
605
% Daily Value*
Fat
22
g
34
%
Saturated Fat
5
g
31
%
Cholesterol
9
mg
3
%
Sodium
812
mg
35
%
Potassium
1885
mg
54
%
Carbohydrates
90
g
30
%
Fiber
22
g
92
%
Sugar
11
g
12
%
Protein
20
g
40
%
Vitamin A
5314
IU
106
%
Vitamin C
193
mg
234
%
Calcium
242
mg
24
%
Iron
8
mg
44
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Tag @HurryTheFoodUp on Instagram so we can admire your masterpiece!
And there we are! Five of our very favourite homemade burrito bowls. Of course, those are just some ways to make a burrito bowl. You can also make each bowl as mild or spicy as you like – throw in extra peppers or jalapeños, or none at all. Play, experiment, find what you like the best. And most of all, enjoy!
Comments
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2 comments
I found the vegan burrito bowl recipe easy to follow, but the results were not as flavorful as I would have liked. The pico and salsa flavor acidity and sweetness overpowered the rest of the dish.
Oh dear! I found they worked really nicely together, but thank you for the feedback. At least they were easy 😀