Learn How to Make Stovetop Dried Beans
This is one of the base recipes featured in our Whole Life Meal Plan. Are you trying to follow a more plant-forward diet but don’t know where to start? Burrito bowls are a simple and flavorful way to add more plants to your plate! Whole grains, beans, and tons of options for flavor additions make this healthy burrito bowl base recipe a necessary staple in your recipe rotation!
Three Must Know Cooking Skills
For recipe success, learn how to:
Culinary Tips for the Best Burrito Bowl
To make this burrito bowl meal prep friendly, prepare your beans and rice at the beginning of the week. You can either prepare the beans from dried, as seen in our stovetop dried beans base recipe or instant pot dried beans base recipe, or use canned. All are healthy and delicious! If using canned beans, choose a low-sodium variety and add seasonings to taste.
If preparing the burrito bowl ahead of time, do not mix the beans and rice in with the romaine, as this will cause the romaine to wilt. Add all ingredients to the bowl once ready to serve.
If not using freshly cooked beans and rice, reheat them in a microwave-safe bowl before adding the romaine. You can also serve the burrito bowl cold.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Leafy Greens: use romaine, spinach, red or green leaf lettuce, spring mix, baby kale, or massaged kale. Roughly chop or shred the greens for easier eating.
- Whole Grain: use brown rice, quinoa, bulgur, barley, farro, or millet.
- Beans: we like pinto and black beans best for burrito bowls, but any bean will work – chickpeas, edamame, black eyed peas, lentils, kidney beans, or white beans. For a slightly different taste and texture, use non-refried beans.
Base Recipe Variations
Remember that this is a base recipe, so the goal is for you to customize it to your taste! Add, swap, or take away any burrito bowl ingredients to make this a delicious and satisfying meal.
Use these additional ingredients for an even more filling and flavorful burrito bowl.
- Animal or Plant Protein: make a chicken burrito bowl using our Mexican shredded chicken. Make a beef burrito bowl by adding our ground beef and mushroom taco meat. Flaked fish is another tasty choice. Tofu or tempeh are delicious and satisfying vegetarian/vegan options.
- Greek Yogurt, Sour Cream, or Lime Crema
- Salsa, Pico de Gallo, or Diced Tomatoes
- Fresh, Sautéed, or Roasted Vegetables: use shredded carrots, fire roasted corn, leftover cooked vegetables, roasted broccoli, roasted cauliflower, or whatever sounds good to you!
- Diced Avocado or Guacamole
- Shredded or Crumbled Cheese
- Fresh or Pickled Red Onion
- Fresh or Pickled Jalapeño
- Chopped Fresh Cilantro
- Fresh Lime
- Hot Sauce
If you just use the base ingredients, this is naturally a vegetarian burrito bowl.
To make a vegan burrito bowl, simply choose plant-based toppings, such as salsa, guacamole, tofu, and/or tempeh.
Want some burrito bowl inspiration?
Use this recipe variation for inspiration, then have fun exploring other flavors, ingredients, and textures!
Equipment Recommendations
Use these kitchen tools for recipe success:
- 2-3 Quart Saucepan (if cooking the whole grain)
- Instant Pot (if cooking Instant Pot Dried Beans)
- Chef’s Knife
- Cutting Board
- Measuring Cups
What makes this a healthy burrito bowl?
Whether you choose to add animal proteins or not, this burrito bowl is still packed with colorful and nutritious plant foods, making it a plant-forward meal. Beans, leafy greens, and whole grains are the featured ingredients in this healthy burrito bowl base recipe.
Leafy Greens
Leafy green veggies are rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that promote health and help fight diseases.
Beans
Beans are one of our favorite foods because they are packed with high quality nutrients. All of the world’s longest lived populations consume beans daily. Beans are incredibly versatile and can be altered to meet any texture, flavor, or health preference. Beans of all varieties contain plant-based protein, complex carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. These nutrients promote gut health, decrease risk of developing heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, and promote a healthy weight.
Whole Grains
Whole grains, such as brown rice, farro, quinoa, and barley are good sources of fiber, phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Fiber is important for digestion, satiety, stable blood sugar, good cholesterol, and healthy gut bacteria. Phytochemicals work as antioxidants to help fight off diseases and keep us well. Adding more colorful and flavorful toppings can provide additional health benefits.
Learn more about health benefits of different foods and ingredients or in our book, To Your Taste!
Burrito Bowl Serving Suggestions
Burrito bowls are a great balanced lunch or dinner. Serve warm or cold. If reheating rice and beans from leftovers, heat separately from the romaine, otherwise the lettuce will wilt and not hold a great texture.
Storage Tips
Store all ingredients separately in airtight containers for up to 1 week. Once ready to serve, heat if desired and assemble. Made more rice or beans than you can eat this week? Both ingredients can be frozen for 3-6 months.
Want more simple plant-forward recipes?
Check out these favorites!
Healthy Quesadilla Base Recipe
One Pan Mexican Quinoa Skillet
Healthy Burrito Bowl Base Recipe
Ingredients
Base Recipe
- ¾ cup cooked whole grain
- ½ cup beans
- 1 cup chopped leafy greens
Additions to YOUR taste
- 2 ounces animal or plant protein
- Dollop Greek yogurt, sour cream, or lime crema
- Salsa, pico de gallo, or diced tomatoes
- Fresh, sautéed, or roasted vegetables
- Diced avocado or guacamole
- Shredded or crumbled cheese
- Toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- Fresh or pickled red onion
- Fresh or pickled jalapeño
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Fresh lime
- Hot sauce
Instructions
- Heat whole grain and beans in a microwave-safe bowl if desired.
- Build bowl with whole grain and beans. Top with leafy greens and additional toppings to your taste. Enjoy!
This Post Has 2 Comments
This Healthy Burrito Bowl recipe looks amazing and so delicious! I love how fresh and customizable it is a perfect go-to for meal prep or a quick, wholesome dinner.
Yes, so great for meal prep!