These Vegetarian Burrito Bowls are one of my go-to family meals since they are so easy to pull together. AND they are easy for everyone at the table to customize their own servings.
Rice and beans are two ingredients I always keep in my pantry since they are affordable and so easy to use in a variety of recipes.
And they make these Vegetarian Burrito Bowls a fast meal option on even the busiest days.
Why this Recipe Works
These bowls are easy to prep ahead (should you have the time), easy to make with premade or homemade rice and beans and easy to serve as a family style meal so everyone can decide exactly how they want their bowl. Just like fast food bowls, but faster and less expensive!
You can use canned beans here or cook them in the slow cooker. You can assemble the kids plates or let them serve themselves. So many options!
(You may also like my Bean and Cheese Quesadillas and my Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup.)
Table of Contents
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Ingredients You Need
To make this Vegetarian Burrito Bowl dinner you’ll need to have the following ingredients on hand and ready to go.
- Rice: You can use any type of ric you like here including short-grain brown rice; long-grain brown rice; frozen rice from the store; long grain white rice such as basmati or jasmine; or instant rice.
- Beans such as slow cooker black beans or my easy pinto beans recipe.
- Veggies such as roasted sweet potato, warmed frozen sweet corn, or any other roasted veggies your family likes.
- Toppings such as shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, chopped tomato, sour cream, salsa, avocado, guacamole, tortilla strips.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at how to make this easy Vegetarian Burrito Bowl recipe. Scroll down to the bottom of the page for additional details.
Step 1. Prepare your rice according to the package directions. Prepare your beans.
Step 2. Prepare your veggies if you plan to roast them.
Step 3. Prepare your toppings. I like to mix sour cream and salsa as a dressing.
Step 4. Set everything on the table and let the family help themselves.
TIP: You can make all of the components of this up to 3 days ahead and store in an airtight container in the fridge. You can also use store-bought precooked rice to simplify things.
Vegetarian Burrito Bowl FAQs
I cook the base (rice or quinoa) ahead of time, warm the beans, and then set everything out family-style so everyone can build their own bowl. It keeps things flexible and low-stress.
Black beans or pinto beans both work great. Use canned beans (rinsed and warmed) or homemade—whatever makes the meal easy.
Offer the components deconstructed—beans, rice, cheese, and avocado side-by-side—so they can explore at their own pace.
We like shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, avocado, and guacamole on our burrito bowls, but you can really top with any taco toppings you prefer.
How to Serve Burrito Bowls to Kids
You don’t need to make too many modifications to burrito bowls when serving them to little kids since they’re already deconstructed. Let the kids decide which foods they’d like to try, encourage them to try a few more without pressure if they only ask for cheese, and let them mix it together or keep it separate.
For a baby, you can serve their food directly on their high chair tray and they can eat with their hands.
How to Store
You can make all the components of this up to 3 days ahead and store in airtight containers in the fridge. Store any leftovers in airtight containers for 3-5 days.
Best Tips for Success
- You can make all the components of this up to 3 days ahead and store in airtight containers in the fridge.
- You can use store-bought precooked rice to simplify things.
- Try canned or cooked dry beans such as black beans or pinto beans. (Here’s how to cook them perfectly in an Instant Pot.)
- Try veggies such as roasted sweet potato, zucchini or asparagus, or warmed frozen corn.
- I like to have fruit on the table for most meals to ensure the kids see a food they immediately like.
More Rice and Bean Recipes
I’d love to hear what you think of this recipe idea if you try it, so please comment below to share!
Easy Vegetarian Burrito Bowls
Ingredients
- 2 cups fully cooked rice
- 14.5 ounces black beans
- 2 cups roasted sweet potato
- 2 cups sweet corn (warmed from frozen)
- Toppings such as shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, avocado, and guacamole (optional, as desired)
Instructions
- Prep the ingredients as needed. You can make the rice and roasted sweet potato ahead of time, if desired.
- If using canned beans, rinse and drain them in a colander in the sink.
- Warm the rice and the beans.
- Place everything, including the toppings, onto the table and let everyone assemble their bowls, helping the littler kids as needed.
Equipment
Notes
- Slow Cooker Beans: Place 1 pound dry beans into a slow cooker. Add 6 cups water. Cook on LOW for 8 hours or until soft.
- You can make dry beans in the instant pot by following this recipe for Instant Pot Pinto Beans.
- You can make all of the components of this up to 3 days ahead and store in airtight containers in the fridge. Store any leftovers in airtight containers for 3-5 days.
- You can use store-bought precooked rice to simplify things.
- Try canned or cooked dry beans such as black beans or pinto beans
- Try veggies such as roasted sweet potato, zucchini or asparagus, or warmed frozen corn.
- I like to have fruit on the table for most meals to ensure the kids see a food they immediately like.
- Try toppings such as shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, avocado, and guacamole on our burrito bowls, but you can really top with any taco toppings you prefer.
Nutrition
This post was first published March 2020.
What is the sauce in the photo?
Thanks
Half salsa and half sour cream!