Meal Prep Burrito Bowl Base (Printable Version)

Versatile burrito bowl base with rice, beans, protein, and toppings for easy weekly meal prep.

# What You'll Need:

→ Grains

01 - 2 cups cooked white or brown rice

→ Beans

02 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans or pinto beans, drained and rinsed

→ Protein

03 - 2 chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
04 - 1 lb ground beef or turkey, cooked and seasoned
05 - 14 oz firm tofu, pressed and cubed

→ Vegetables

06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
07 - 1 cup corn kernels, fresh frozen or canned
08 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
09 - 0.5 red onion, finely diced
10 - 1 cup shredded lettuce or chopped romaine

→ Toppings

11 - 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese blend
12 - 0.5 cup salsa or pico de gallo
13 - 0.5 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
14 - 1 avocado, sliced or mashed
15 - 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
16 - Lime wedges for serving

→ Seasonings

17 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
18 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
19 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
20 - 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
21 - Salt and pepper to taste

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Cook rice according to package instructions. Fluff with a fork and allow to cool slightly before portioning.
02 - For chicken: season with cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook in a skillet with olive oil until fully cooked, then chop. For ground meat: brown in a skillet with olive oil and seasonings until fully cooked, then drain excess fat. For tofu: toss cubes in olive oil and seasonings, then pan-fry until golden on all sides.
03 - Sauté beans in a skillet with a splash of olive oil, cumin, and chili powder for 2 to 3 minutes to warm through and infuse with seasonings.
04 - Chop all vegetables and prepare all toppings according to the ingredient specifications.
05 - Divide rice, beans, protein, and vegetables into 4 airtight containers, storing each component separately to maintain freshness and texture. Place toppings in small separate containers.
06 - Reheat base components as desired, then top with fresh vegetables and toppings immediately before serving for optimal freshness and flavor.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Four servings done in under an hour: You're basically buying yourself four lunches worth of freedom.
  • Every component stays fresh: Keeping rice, beans, veggies, and toppings separate means Monday's bowl tastes as good as Friday's.
  • Customize without thinking: Vegetarian Monday, carnivore Tuesday—same base, completely different bowls.
  • Your coworkers will ask for the recipe: There's something about opening a meal prep container that makes everyone jealous.
02 -
  • Moisture is the enemy of meal prep: Store lettuce, avocado, and tomatoes completely separate or they'll turn into sad mush by mid-week.
  • Seasonings matter more than you think: Unseasoned beans and plain rice are forgettable; seasoned properly, they become something you actually crave.
  • Airtight containers are non-negotiable: Everything stays fresher longer when air can't get at it.
03 -
  • Invest in quality airtight containers: Cheap containers let air in and food gets funky faster than expected.
  • Cook your protein and beans first, then rice: This way everything can cool while you prep vegetables, making packing faster.
  • If you hate cilantro, don't force it: Swap it for diced jalapeño, extra lime zest, or nothing at all.
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