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21 Tasty Rice Bowl Recipes

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By: 2 Comments
Posted: 7/16/21 Updated: 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.

collage image that shows 21 healthy rice bowls
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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:

Instant Pot:

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
Overhead shot of cajun rice and sausage in a white bowl with a fork
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
overhead shot of four containers filled with turkey taco meal prep bowls
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
overhead shot of korean turkey meal prep bowls in glass container
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
hands holding honey garlic beef rice bowl
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
close up shot of mongolian beef and broccoli

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
instant pot fiesta rice bowl in a gray bowl with avocado chunks and sliced green onion
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
overhead shot of instant pot chickepea curry with rice and green beans in brown bowl
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
overhead shot of glass meal prep containers filled with vegan sushi bowls
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
overhead shot of four glass meal prep containers filled with korean bbq chickpea bento
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
overhead shot of three glass meal prep containers filled with vegan slow cooker tikka masala
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
row of glass meal prep containers filled with egg fried rice
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
overhead shot of glass meal prep container filled with moroccan instant pot lentils and rice
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
hand pouring jar of dressing onto the southwestern wild rice and sweet potato salad
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
overhead view of peanut tofu in bowl with rice and green vegetables

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
overhead shot of gray bowl filled with maple ginger cashew chicken stir fry
(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
Meal prep containers filled with chicken fajita lunch bowls
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
overhead shot of glass meal prep containers filled with honey sesame chicken lunch bowls
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
overhead shot of firecracker chicken meal prep bowl in glass container
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
overhead view of Instant Pot Thai Chicken Curry in a bowl with rice
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
overhead shot of teriyaki chicken with broccoli in blue bowl and chopsticks
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
overhead shot of four glass meal prep containers filled with thai chicken lunch bowls

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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.

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  1. Sara says

    5 stars
    So many great ideas! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

    • Denise says

      I hope you find a good one!

      Reply