Versatile bowl base with rice, beans, protein, and veggies for easy weekly meal prep.
# Needed Ingredients:
→ 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 - or 1 lb ground beef or turkey, cooked and seasoned
05 - or 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 black pepper to taste
# Directions:
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 cooked through and drain excess fat. For tofu: toss cubes in olive oil and seasonings, then pan-fry until golden on all sides.
03 - Warm beans in a saucepan with a splash of olive oil, cumin, and chili powder for 2 to 3 minutes until heated through and seasoned.
04 - Dice bell peppers, halve cherry tomatoes, finely dice red onion, chop lettuce, and cilantro. Slice or mash avocado. Arrange all toppings in separate small containers.
05 - Divide cooked rice, seasoned beans, prepared protein, and fresh vegetables evenly into 4 airtight meal prep containers, keeping each component separate to maintain freshness and texture. Store toppings in separate small containers.
06 - To serve, reheat base components as desired in microwave or stovetop, then add fresh vegetables and toppings immediately before eating to preserve crispness.
