Is there anything better than a meal you can pile high with all of your favourite toppings? Well, these Black Bean Burrito Bowls have exactly that kind of dinner magic! These bowls are fresh, colourful, nourishing and are bursting with flavour, but they come together with a few pantry staples and some easy prep ingredients. These are so perfect for a busy weeknight where you want something nourishing but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. These black bean burrito bowls can also be meal prepped on the weekend, making it even easier for you during the week. 

What I personally love most about this recipe is how customizable it is. Starting with your hearty base of fluffy quinoa and black beans, you go wild with the toppings; think crisp lettuce, creamy avocado, tangy salsa, and a sprinkle of cheese. You can add some protein like grilled chicken, shrimp or tofu for a boost, or keep it vegetarian or vegan; this meal can be so easily tailored to your preference and picky eaters. However you build your bowl, you are guaranteed a meal that’s equal parts nutritious and delicious! 

Black Bean Burrito Bowls Recipe

Vegan & Gluten-Free

Prep time:  20 minutes | Cook time: 25 minutes | Serving Size: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 2 heads of garlic, minced
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 can, 5.5 oz tomato paste
• ½ head Romaine lettuce, shredded
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 2 green onions, sliced
• Hot sauce of choice

Cilantro Lime Sauce:

• ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup fresh lime juice, roughly 1.5 limes
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• ½ bunch of cilantro, 1 cup diced
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• ¼ tsp sea salt

Directions:

1. Cook the quinoa: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add 1 cup of quinoa and bring to a boil again. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the quinoa is tender and the water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
2. Make the black beans: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-low heat. Add the onion and saute until translucent. Add the garlic, chilli powder, oregano and cayenne pepper and saute for one minute until fragrant. Add the tomato paste and black beans and cook until warmed through, 5 minutes. 
3. Make the cilantro lime sauce: Add everything to a blender and blend until smooth. 
4. To assemble: Place quinoa, black beans, romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, avocado and green onion in a pasta bowl. Top with the cilantro lime sauce and hot sauce.

NOTE: Feel free to replace the base with whatever you’d prefer: wild rice, cauliflower rice, couscous, farro, etc. 

At Home Chipotle: A Smarter Option for Your Health

I definitely understand the hype and popularity behind Chipotle, so that’s when I knew I had to recreate it at home! Let’s face it, restaurant food is filled with flavours, salt and is very addictive, making it hard to want to eat at home and get back on the track of eating healthy. Most restaurants use non-organic, genetically modified ingredients that are filled with artificial flavours and ultra-processed oils and foods that can eventually cause disease.

I promise that after you try these Black Bean Burrito Bowls, you won’t need to go back to Chipotle! Reading through this recipe, you can see how simple and fast it is to make this at home. You get the same flavours and satisfaction of building your bowl the way you want it, without the additives and processed ingredients! Not to mention, this recipe is full of nutritious foods that will leave you feeling energized and won’t result in that blood sugar crash in the middle of the night that will mess with your sleep. 

Health Benefits of Black Beans

Black beans are a legume that is full of vitamins and minerals to boost your health. Legumes are full of fibre and protein, so they are an amazing addition to have as a pantry staple, as they can be added to your food in so many different ways! They have been known to: 

• Lower blood pressure
• Support healthy bones
• Control blood sugar
• Lower risk of disease
• Support digestion 
• Support weight loss 

They are also full of nutrients that our body needs, but we rarely get from a Western diet. Black beans are an amazing source of:

• Protein, fibre, carbohydrates, folate, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium.
• They also have phytonutrients, which are found in dark coloured foods. Phytonutrients have strong antioxidant properties, which can reduce and control the oxidative stress found in our bodies.

TIP: Some people have digestive issues with legumes, but soaking your beans before eating can reduce these symptoms. 

Free Mini Frittata Cooking Class

If you loved this Black Bean Burrito recipe, you’ll definitely want to join me for my upcoming Mini Frittatas Cooking Class on September 16! This live, interactive class is designed for busy people who want healthy meals without the stress. In just one hour, I’ll show you step-by-step how to make a protein-packed breakfast you can grab all week long. You’ll leave with a recipe that fuels your mornings, boosts your confidence in the kitchen, and makes healthy eating feel simple (and fun!).

Register for the free class here. 

Try These Nourishing Bowls Next

Ginger Beef Rice Bowl

If you’re looking for a flavour-packed, meal prep-friendly dinner option, try this Ginger Beef Rice Bowl! This recipe is gluten-free, filled with delicious flavours and packed with nutrients; savoury ground beef, cremini mushrooms, crispy veggies, placed overtop of a bed of brown rice and topped with a tangy ginger sesame dressing. Rich in protein and nutrients like vitamin B in the beef, to anti-inflammatory properties in the ginger and garlic. This bowl is easily customizable, making it as versatile and satisfying as the Black Bean Burrito Bowl. 

Get the recipe here. 

Vegetarian Rainbow Bowl

Let’s brighten up your plate with this Vegetarian Rainbow Bowl! This is dairy free and vegetarian, but it is definitely not missing any protein. Packed with vibrant colours from the crispy sweet potato, fresh spinach, juicy tomatoes, crisp zucchini, grated carrots, crunchy chickpeas and walnuts, this bowl offers a rainbow of both texture and nutrients. 

Get the recipe here.

Vegetarian Tofu Power Bowl

Fuel your day with this hearty and nourishing Vegetarian Tofu Power Bowl. Gluten-free and dairy free, this is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. In this recipe, I swapped out rice for millet, which is a great substitution if you’re looking to add some more fibre to your diet. Topped with chopped spinach, grated carrots, toasted tofu cubes, fried egg, and tossed in a creamy, anti-inflammatory dressing made with garlic, ginger, nutritional yeast, apple cider vinegar, tamari and tahini, each bite delivers plant-based protein, healthy fats, immunity-supporting nutrients and a satisfying texture. This bowl gives the same wholesome, cozy feeling as the Black Bean Burrito Bowl. 

Get the recipe here.