21 Tasty Rice Bowl Recipes (2024)

By: Denise Bustard2 Comments
Posted: 7/16/21Updated: 7/16/21

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These 21 delicious rice bowl recipes work great for meal prep, or can be served fresh. These recipes are perfect for an office lunch or re-heatable dinner. Many of them are even freezer-friendly!

Rice bowls are a staple in my meal prep routine! They're great because they are a healthy, well-rounded meal that leaves me feeling full but not over-full.

21 Tasty Rice Bowl Recipes (1)

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Not only that, but rice bowls are often freezer-friendly, meaning you can build up a good freezer stash and thaw as needed.

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Tips for prepping rice bowls

Types of rice

When it comes to the type of rice, I choose basmati. Why basmati? It is soft and fluffy like white rice, but has a low glycemic index, like brown rice. This means it breaks down more slowly and does not spike your blood sugars in the same way as instant rice.

Portion size

Even though basmati rice is on the lower end of the glycemic index, it is still important to keep an eye on your portion size. I aim for ½ cup of cooked rice per portion. Loaded up with veggies and protein, it's plenty filling.

Storage

Cooked rice has the worst rap when it comes to food safety. However, rice is perfectly safe to eat when cooked and stored properly:

  • cool and refrigerate quickly
  • store for 4-6 days (personally I have a 4 day rule for leftovers)
  • reheat until steaming hot, and only reheat once

Rice is also safe to freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw completely in the fridge and re-heat until steaming hot.

Cooking your rice

I am a bit of a rice snob. If you want perfect, fluffy rice, I urge you to check out the following posts:

Stove top:

  • How to Cook Brown Rice
  • 3 Tips for Perfect Fluffy Rice
  • 7 Easy Rice Recipes

Instant Pot:

  • Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
  • Instant Pot Basmati Rice
  • Instant Pot Brown Rice

Turkey, pork & beef

Instant Pot Cajun Rice and Sausage

This instant pot cajun rice and sausage is an easy one pot meal made with smoked andouille sausage, basmati rice, carrots, onion, tomatoes, and celery.

Check out this recipe

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Turkey Taco Meal Prep Bowls

These turkey taco meal prep bowls with turkey taco meat, corn, pico de gallo and brown rice are simple, but filling. Make them ahead for four delicious lunches.

Check out this recipe

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Korean-Inspired Turkey Meal Prep Bowls

These ground turkey meal prep bowls have a delicious Korean-inspired sauce! Packed with flavor and under 400 calories per bowl, you can prep this recipe on the weekend for healthy and delicious lunches through the week.

Check out this recipe

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Honey Garlic Beef Rice Bowls

Honey garlic beef rice bowls have juicy shredded beef, crunchy carrots and bell peppers, and a tangy sesame vinaigrette. Served cold, they work well for meal prep or for a simple dinner.

Check out this recipe

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Healthier Mongolian Beef Meal Prep

These Mongolian beef meal prep bowls are perfect if you are craving take out, but want to keep things healthier. With tender strips of flank steak served in a deliciously sticky sauce.

Check out this recipe

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Meatless rice bowls

Instant Pot Fiesta Rice Bowls

These instant Pot fiesta rice bowls are a vegetarian, gluten-free recipe that works great for meal prep! Just dump it all in the Instant Pot, press the button, and you're done!

Check out this recipe

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Instant Pot Chickpea Curry (Vegan)

This Instant Pot vegan chickpea curry cooks chickpeas, carrots, potatoes and green beans in a fragrant Indian curry sauce. Made with vegan ingredients, the Instant Pot makes it hands off and simple to prepare.

Check out this recipe

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Vegan Sushi Meal Prep

This vegan sushi bowl meal prep has all the flavors of sushi without the rolling! Made with cucumber, carrots, radish, edamame, rice and a sriracha mayo dressing.

Check out this recipe

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Korean BBQ Chickpea Bento Bowls

Korean BBQ chickpea bento bowls with zucchini, carrots, brussels sprouts and korean BBQ chickpeas served over rice. Vegan and GF.

Check out this recipe

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Vegan Slow Cooker Tikka Masala

This vegan slow cooker tikka masala is PERFECT for meal prep! It makes an easy freezer crockpot meal, and leftovers keep (and can be frozen) for healthy plant-based lunches.

Check out this recipe

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Perfect Egg Fried Rice (+ Variations)

Showing you how to cook perfect egg fried rice! Made with a simple ingredient list including rice, carrots, beans and eggs tossed in a simple soy and sesame oil sauce. It's kid-friendly, freezer-friendly, and perfect for using up what you have in your fridge and pantry.

Check out this recipe

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Moroccan Instant Pot Lentils

Moroccan Instant Pot lentils made with sweet potato, tomatoes, carrots, and warming spices! Vegan comfort food at it's finest, this recipe is gluten-free, freezer-friendly, and delicious.

Check out this recipe

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Southwestern Wild Rice and Sweet Potato Salad

Wild rice and sweet potato salad is loaded with healthy veggies and tossed in a chili lime vinaigrette. Gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and perfect for lunch or a side salad!

Check out this recipe

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Peanut Ginger Tofu Stir Fry

With crispy tofu and an irresistible peanut sauce, this peanut ginger tofu stir fry will unite tofu lovers and haters alike. Easy enough for a weeknight dinner!

Check out this recipe

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Chicken rice bowl ideas

Maple Ginger Cashew Chicken Stir Fry (30 Minutes)

A simple cashew chicken stir fry packed with veggies, sprinkled with cashews, and tossed in a sticky maple ginger stir fry sauce. Works great for an easy weeknight dinner or for meal prep.

Check out this recipe

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(Make Ahead) Chicken Fajita Lunch Bowls

Make these chicken fajita lunch bowls for healthy lunches through the week! Inspired by a Mexican bean salad, this recipe combines bell peppers, baked chicken breast and rice with a delicious fajita-vinaigrette.

Check out this recipe

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Honey Sesame Chicken Lunch Bowls

These Honey Sesame Chicken Lunch Bowls have chicken breast, broccoli and asparagus tossed in a sweet and savory honey sesame stir fry sauce. Perfect for healthy meal prep lunches!

Check out this recipe

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Healthier Firecracker Chicken Meal Prep Bowls

Healthier firecracker chicken meal prep bowls are sweet and spicy! Lightened up compared to classic recipes, but still super flavorful. Gluten-free and ready in 35 minutes.

Check out this recipe

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Spicy Instant Pot Thai Chicken Curry

This Instant Pot Thai curry has a creamy, spicy and flavorful sauce, and comes together quickly for a weeknight dinner. Rich, fragrant, and absolutely delicious.

Check out this recipe

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The Best Dang Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken

This crock pot teriyaki chicken recipe is seriously the BEST! With juicy chicken breasts simmered in a sticky sauce that is better than your favorite take out. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and enjoy!

Check out this recipe

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Thai Chicken Lunch Bowls (Meal Prep)

Thai chicken lunch bowls have roasted vegetables and chicken served over rice with a tangy homemade peanut sauce. Easy to prep and keeps well for four days!

Check out this recipe

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Meet Denise Bustard

Denise Bustard is the creator of Sweet Peas and Saffron, a meal prep-focussed food blog. With a PhD in biochemistry, Denise takes a scientific approach to perfecting her recipes. You can find Denise's work featured on Huffington Post, MSN, Self and more.

Read more...

You May Also Like...

  • Instant Pot Jasmine Rice

  • Herb Lemon Rice Recipe

  • Instant Pot Wild Rice Pilaf with Mushrooms and Pine Nuts

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  1. Sara says

    21 Tasty Rice Bowl Recipes (29)
    So many great ideas! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

    • Denise says

      I hope you find a good one!

      Reply

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