Brown Rice Burrito Bowl (Print)

Satisfying burrito bowl with brown rice, black beans, colorful vegetables, queso, and creamy toppings for a balanced meal.

# What You Need:

→ 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
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

# Directions:

01 - Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear. Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add rice and salt, reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 30-35 minutes until rice is tender and water is fully absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
02 - Combine drained black beans, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally and cook for 5-7 minutes until beans are heated through and fragrant. Remove from heat.
03 - Dice red and yellow bell peppers into 1/2-inch pieces. Halve cherry tomatoes. Finely dice red onion. Slice avocado into thin wedges. If using fresh corn, steam for 2-3 minutes or grill briefly for char marks.
04 - Divide cooked brown rice evenly among 4 serving bowls. Arrange seasoned black beans, bell peppers, corn, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and avocado slices in sections over the rice.
05 - Sprinkle queso fresco or cheddar cheese over each bowl. Add a generous dollop of sour cream to the center. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the bowl.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • The layers of textures create this incredible mouth experience – from the hearty chew of brown rice to the creamy coolness of avocado and sour cream.
  • You can prep most components ahead of time and assemble in minutes when hunger strikes, which has saved me countless times during busy evenings.
02 -
  • Warming the beans with spices rather than just heating them changes everything – I once served them straight from the can and the difference was staggering.
  • Slicing the avocado at the very last minute prevents that unappetizing browning that happens so quickly otherwise.
03 -
  • Toast the rice in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes before adding water for a deeper, nuttier flavor that elevates the entire dish.
  • Squeeze lime juice directly over the avocado as you slice it – not only does it prevent browning, but it also infuses that citrusy brightness into every bite.
Go back