Vegetarian Burrito Bowls are easy to make, healthy chipotle style bowls loaded with rice, black beans, pico de gallo, fajita veggies , corn, lettuce and cheese. Serve with side of guacamole and sour-cream and enjoy a delicious wholesome meal! Vegan, gluten-free and meal-prep friendly!!
shredded Mexican Cheese blendor any of choice, or use vegan alternative
sour cream or yogurtor use vegan alternative
shredded Lettuce
Tortilla chipsoptional
Cilantroroughly chopped
Lime wedges
Instructions
To Make Plain Rice:
Wash the rice thoroughly 3-4 times until the water runs clear. You can make rice in Instant Pot or on stove top using traditional pressure cooker or cooking pot. Water ratio and cooking time will vary depending on the brand and quality of rice.
Instant Pot - Start the pot on Saute mode and once hot, add oil followed by washed and drained rice, 1 cup water and salt. Mix well. Close the Iid and press manual or pressure cook mode for 5 mins. Followed by quick release. Use the fork to fluff up the rice.
Pressure cooker - Heat the cooker on medium heat and and once hot, add oil followed by washed and drained rice, 1 cup water and salt. Mix well. Close the Iid and cook for 1 whistle. . Allow natural release. Then fluff with fork.
Cooking pot - Heat a thick bottomed pan on medium heat and once hot add oil followed by washed and drained rice, 2 to 2.5 cups water and salt. Cook on medium flame and get it to a boil. Cover and cook on low flame till water is absorbed. Check in between if more water is required. Fluff with a fork and see if the rice is cooked. Once done, switch off the flame and let it sit covered for 5 mins. Then fluff with fork.
To Make Cilantro Lime rice
Allow the plain rice cooked using one of the above method to cool. Add finely chopped cilantro and lime juice, toss well.
To Make Mexican black beans
I usually make my beans at home using my no-soak recipe for homemade Mexican black beans which are made from scratch using stove top and Instant Pot.
For a quick fix, use canned black beans in the homemade Mexican black beans recipe.
To Make Fajita Veggies
Add oil to a skillet on high heat. Stir in the bell peppers and onions and cook for 3-5 minutes before stirring. The idea is to get that char (without burning) which you would get by grilling them.
Once the veggies are half cooked, add in the spices and stir. Cook for 2 more mins. The veggies should be half cooked and still retain their shape. Remove from the heat and serve or store.
To store let them cool completely before storing them in airtight container in fridge for couple of days.
To Make Pico de gallo
Chop onion, tomatoes, jalapeños (optional, skip if you don't like it hot/spicy), cilantro. Add salt and generous amount of lime (or lemon) juice. Mix well and pico is ready!!
Place a generous serving of the rice in the serving bowl. Top with black beans, fajita veggies, corn, pico, chopped romaine lettuce, Mexican shredded cheese, guacamole, sour cream, tortilla chips and some extra cilantro and lime wedges as desired. Enjoy!
Notes
Meal Prep -
Rice, Black beans and fajita veggies can be made couple of days ahead and refrigerated in airtight container.
Similarly Shred lettuce and cheese and store in airtight container.
The only thing to make is salsa and guac which can be made just before serving. Quick hack!!
Use pico de gallo, a tablespoon or two to the mashed avocados to make a quick guacamole!!
Prep the pico ahead of time and refrigerate in airtight container and then just before serving mash the avocados, add the pico, mix and serve!!
Meal prep on weekend and enjoy delicious homemade chipotle veggie bowl at home!!