Rice bowl recipes are a great option when you don’t quite know what to make for dinner but you do have a lot of ingredients that could go well together.
Bowl meals have really come into their own in recent years. It’s so easy to take some of our favorite ingredients and mix them together with white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice to make a complete meal. Cooking these rice bowl recipes is easy, and the cleanup is great, too.
That’s because a rice bowl makes it easy for you to add a ton of ingredients but still get a dish that’s exploding with flavor.
There’s a huge variety of options too like vegan bowl recipes, healthy bowl recipes, Asian bowl recipe, vegetarian bowl recipes, brown rice bowl, and more.
Rice bowls have become increasingly popular as a simple yet versatile meal option, offering countless combinations to suit any palate. These hearty dishes are not only nutritious and filling, but they also showcase the tastes from various cultures, creating a global sensation in the culinary world. With a base of steamed rice, the variety of ingredients that can be added is nearly endless, offering food enthusiasts the freedom to experiment and create unique and delicious recipes.
One of the primary reasons for the popularity of rice bowl recipes is their inherent adaptability. Whether served hot or cold, these dishes cater to a wide array of dietary preferences and requirements, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or meat-based diets. Moreover, incorporating different types of rice – from jasmine and basmati to brown and black varieties – adds exciting variety and texture.
For the uninitiated, the world of rice bowl recipes may seem daunting, but rest assured, the process of creating a delectable meal is surprisingly simple. All it takes is a layer of perfectly cooked rice, some protein, vegetables, seasonings, and a flavorful sauce to tie it all together. With endless possibilities, anyone can create their own personalized rice bowl and enjoy this wholesome, satisfying meal..
They are pretty simple to make since it involves cooking everything together and throwing it in a bowl and calling it a day.
When you need something quick and delicious to make at home, try out these incredible rice bowl ideas.
Rice Bowl Recipe Prep Tips
The real beauty of rice recipe is that you don’t have to make everything from scratch every single time. Instead, you can prep some of the ingredients beforehand and make it even easier.
Think about grilling up some chicken breasts on the weekend to have them ready for a quick dinner bowl later.
Or you could chop up vegetables in bulk so it’s easy for you to add them to your bowls during the week when you need something fast.
If there are some vegetables you don’t use often, it might be helpful to chop them up and store them in containers so they are ready when you need them.
The rice is the easiest part and you can make entire containers worth sitting in the fridge for whenever you need to whip up a recipe.
Source: modernmealmakeover.com
1. Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl
This is a classic rice bowl you can make with a ton of different veggies and it will still taste amazing.
It’s great because it uses teriyaki sauce which means you can store some for later and use it on other types of meat or veggies to make them taste even better!
You can also switch up the protein by using turkey instead of chicken if you want to substitute some lean meats.
It’s the type of bowl that a ton of people enjoy so you can always bust it out for a family meal night and everyone will love it.
Source: recipetineats.com
2. Bibimbap
You’ll find a lot of healthy bowls in this list and the bibimbap is definitely one of them. You’ll find this on a lot of Korean menus but it’s just as easy to make at home.
The flavors in this are undeniable as it has a ton of different ingredients that each serve their own delicious purpose.
Source: staceysnacksonline.com
3. Coconut Rice with Brussels Sprouts
This recipe is going to have a ton of ingredients but don’t let that stop you from trying it because it might just become one of your favorites.
You can make a big batch of this on the weekend and have some leftovers throughout the week so you don’t have to cook yourself if you don’t want to or if you’re short on time.
This is also great for people that are used to really spicy foods since it packs some heat but you can adjust the spiciness to suit your own taste.
Brussels sprouts are even better when you roast them so if you’re willing to give them some more time you can roast them first and then add them to the dish.
Source: seriouseats.com
4. Tamago Kake Gohan
The Tamago Kake Gohan is a Japanese dish and it’s pretty easy to make. It doesn’t require a lot of ingredients so you can probably find most of them at the grocery store already.
This can be one of those bowl recipes you try in the morning and at night to see what you prefer.
Source: eatwithclarity.com
5. Vegan Poke Bowl
Poke has become a very popular version of rice bowl because of its freshness and this vegan version gives you all that plus some healthy additions.
You can use cooked pieces of tofu for this vegan rice bowl instead of meat protein which helps it stay vegan and satisfy your diet.
You can also top it with seaweed and sesame seeds so it’s very tasty as well as healthy for you which is perfect for those trying to make some healthy changes.
Edamame is another way to add some delicious flavor to this poke bowl while still keeping it extremely healthy.
Source: yummly.com
6. Farmers Market Breakfast Bowl
A bowl of rice on its own isn’t that tempting but when you add the farmers market breakfast ingredients it takes on a life of its own.
You’ll love having this hearty bowl in the morning to start your day off right and you can even throw a sweet potato in for good measure.
And you’ll love the variety of fruit, veggies, and flavors too so it’s sure to become a staple for you.
This recipe is a fun one to experiment with and add different ingredients that you prefer for breakfast like bacon, avocado, eggs, and more.
Source: peasandcrayons.com
7. Cauliflower Rice Burrito Bowl
Instead of using a burrito bowl over regular rice try this healthier version that uses cauliflower.
You can make a big portion of this and save some for later which means you don’t have to drag yourself into the kitchen to make something healthy if you don’t want to.
Cauliflower doesn’t exactly taste like rice but it sure does the job and helps you save on carbs. It’s another one you can make a ton of to have some leftover throughout the rest of your week.
Cauliflower rice is one of those options you can either make at home if you want it to be fresh or buy it from the store pre-cut to save some time.
Source: nasoya.com
8. Cauliflower Rice Kimchi Bowls
Kimchi is an incredibly flavored ferment that you can make right at home or you can buy it at the store to save some time.
Throw some of the healthy kimchi on top of some cauliflower rice and you’ll get something extremely delicious.
This is one of the Korean flavors you don’t want to miss out on because it’s so flavorful and great for your body. It’s a vegan Asian rice bowl too so if you’re looking for something to match your diet, this is the one.
You can keep this dish veggie by adding in some tofu but if you are a meat eater, then throwing in some ground beef or chicken will add a ton of savory flavor.
Source: food.com
9. Adzuki Bean and Brown Rice Bowl
Adzuki is just a type of bean but if you can’t find any at your local grocery store some black beans will do just as well.
Add it to some brown rice and you have a simple and easy meal that is super healthy for you.
This bowl comes together in under an hour so you can make a ton and have it as a side to any other meals you have planned or stick some protein in it to make it its own meal.
This is a dish that you can add a ton of veggies to so it’s a great one to serve the kids and trick them into eating more healthy foods.
Source: reciperunner.com
10. Mango and Avocado Rice Bowl
You’ve probably never had the combination of mango and avocado before but it’s time to give it a try.
This will become the new standard for you when you want something quick and healthy to eat at home.
The flavors are amazing on their own but they match so well together that you’ll be making this over and over again for everyone in your family.
This recipe calls for chicken but you could add some beef in there too and you wouldn’t be disappointed by what you get.
Source: littlespicejar.com
11. Mojo Black Bean Bowls
Cubans sure know how to make a flavor-packed rice bowl and this mojo black bean bowl is just as delicious as any of them.
With cilantro, mojo sauce, and mango salsa, you’re not going to be able to get enough of this rice bowl combination.
It’s simple but it’s so tasty that I doubt the whole family will stop talking about it for days after you make it! In fact, save yourself the trouble and make a ton of leftovers so everyone can pick on them throughout the week.
Experiment with adding different veggies to this dish because the flavors are so savory that you won’t even notice they are there.
Source: cravingcalifornia.com
12. Kimchi Brown Rice Bowl
Looking for super healthy bowl meals that pack in a ton of flavor? Look no further than this kimchi brown rice bowl.
Because it has kimchi which is a fermented food, you can really taste the difference from other kinds of rice bowls. You can even use low-sodium soy sauce to make it healthier.
You’ll love this mix of flavors and textures so try it out as soon as possible so you can start to understand why people love it so much. It has a very savory taste but it can go just as well in the morning if you need something to hold you over.
You can make kimchi right at home too so if you really want to go all out on your bowls, it’s recommended to give a home version a try.
Source: theveglife.com
13. Portobello Burrito Bowl
Everyone loves a burrito and you can take all of the ingredients and stick them into a Mexican rice bowl and it is just as good as with a tortilla.
This is one of my favorite recipes because it’s so comforting and filling and the lack of carbs makes it great for people watching what they eat.
Not only that but when topped with guacamole, salsa, or whatever you like, it comes out tasting amazing.
The combination of veggies in this dish really sets it apart and you can experiment with different options too in order to give this dish more flavor.
Source: beginwithnutrition.com
14. Shiitake Bok Choy Buddha Bowls
There is probably no better healthy rice bowls than this shiitake bok choy buddha bowl recipe.
The combination of earthy shiitake mushrooms mixed with crunchy bok choy and other ingredients is amazing.
It’s a flavorful meal that comes together in under an hour so you can whip it up whenever you want to impress the family or just have a healthy lunch for yourself.
If you can’t find any shiitake mushrooms at the store you can go ahead and substitute them for portobello or cremini mushrooms and the dish is still going to turn out fantastic.
Source: thegirlonbloor.com
15. Best Buddha Bowl
The buddha bowl is meant to be a smorgasbord of ingredients and flavors and this recipe really takes it up a notch.
It’s not only delicious but it will help you stick to your healthy eating goals because everything is portioned out for you.
There are so many different flavors and textures that I doubt you’ll be able to get enough of this dish so if you want more, feel free to double up on the recipe! If you’re wondering how to make a bowl then this is where you should start.
When you’re making a buddha bowl there really is no end, so you can keep mixing the ingredients over and over again and still have an amazing dish.
Source: pinchofyum.com
16. Mango Ginger Rice Bowl
Dinner bowl recipes don’t get much more savory than this mango ginger rice bowl option.
One bowl is not going to be enough to satisfy your family when you do this because they are going to be asking for seconds and thirds.
I love that it takes such little time to whip up as well as the fact that it has a lot of fruit mixed in with vegetables. Get ready for dinner tonight to go over well because this is definitely one meal you shouldn’t miss out on!
The real trick with this dish is to try different amounts of ginger to see how you like the dish. It can be too strong for some but then not enough for others.
16 Fantastic Rice Bowl Recipes (+Chicken Teriyaki Bowl)
Ingredients
- 4 cubed chicken breasts
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
- Rice
- Steamed veggies
- Teriyaki sauce homemade or store-bought
Instructions
- Heat oil on medium heat in a large skillet.
- Brown the cubed chicken until it's completely cooked.
- Prepare homemade teriyaki sauce or heat up your store-bought sauce.
- Add sauce to the skillet.
Notes
Organize all the required ingredients.
Enjoy the food.