These turkey taco meal prep bowls are made with juicy turkey taco meat, corn, pico de gallo and brown rice and are simple, but filling. Make them ahead for four delicious lunches.
Meal prep is the best way to ensure that you avoid wasting a whole bunch of money buying your lunch...some of my favorites include these honey sesame chicken bowlsย and these caprese chicken salad bowls. These turkey taco lunch bowls are perfect if you are craving Mexican food!
These meal prep bowls are not only one of the most popular meal prep recipes on Sweet Peas & Saffron, but one of my personal faves as well!
Inspired by a burrito bowl, but with turkey taco meat, brown rice, corn and a quick pico de gallo for a pretty and delicious meal.
Think of this as a really loose recipe that you can adapt with your favorite toppings.
Reasons you'll โก this recipe
- so tasty!
- they are simple to prep and make 4 lunches
- the recipe is easily adaptable
Recipe Video
These meal prep bowls are super simple to prep, but it always helps to have a visual. Watch the video below to see exactly how this recipe comes together. You can find more of my recipe videos on my YouTube channel.
Don't forget to pin this post to save it for later!
Which ingredients do we need?
This recipe is highly adaptable and are loosely based on a burrito bowl. Here are the components:
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- turkey taco meat- swap the turkey for ground beef, crumbled tofu, or your favorite protein. I used my homemade taco seasoning.
- brown rice- cooked in my rice cooker. See How to Cook Brown Rice. Swap with long grain white rice, quinoa or cauliflower rice.
- corn- from a can, frozen or fresh corn work as well
- pico de gallo- normally I don't love tomatoes in my meal prep but since it's meant to be somewhat 'juicy', it works well in this one!
- cheese- optional but recommended. I used shredded mozzarella!
Other toppings that would be great in this recipe?
- roasted sweet potato
- avocado slices (add just before serving)
- salsa
- black beans
- bell peppers
Are these served hot or cold?ย
They are meant to be served cold, however you can certainly heat them up! If you do plan to heat, I might store the pico de gallo separate and add it in after heating through.
Can I use chicken?ย
Yes, you certainly can. I would cut the chicken into small pieces, sautee until cooked through, then add the taco seasoning + water to make the sauce.
Can I make this vegan?
Yes, you can! I would follow directions for the tofu taco 'meat' in this Tofu Tacos post.
What about low carb?ย
I would swap the rice for cauliflower rice (here's How to Make Cauliflower Rice!), swap the corn for bell peppers or your favorite lower carb veggie, and maybe add in some healthy fats like avocado to make it more filling.
More delicious meal prep ideas
- Cold Sesame Noodle Meal Prep Bowls
- Maple Ginger Cashew Chicken Stir Fry
- Vegan Spring Roll Bowl Meal Prep
- Easy Buddha Bowlsย
- 38 Easy Lunch Meal Prep Recipes
Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!
Turkey Taco Meal Prep Bowls
Ingredients
Rice
- ยพ cup brown rice (uncooked; may be swapped for quinoa or long grain white rice)
- โ tsp salt
- 1 lime (zested)
Turkey
- ยพ lb lean ground turkey (beef or chicken may be swapped)
- 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning
- โ cup water
Salsa
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 jalapeno (finely chopped)
- ยผ cup red onion (finely chopped)
- ยฝ lime (juiced)
- โ teaspoon salt
Other:
- 12 oz can corn kernels (341 mL; drained)
- ยฝ cup mozzarella (shredded)
Instructions
- Cook brown rice according to package directions, adding the lime zest and salt to the cooking water. Allow to cool slightly before portioning out.
- Add turkey to a medium pan and cook over medium heat, breaking it up with a spatula until no longer pink (approximately 10 minutes).
- Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the cooked meat, then add the water. Stir and simmer for a couple of minutes, until sauce has thickened.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before portioning out.
- Combine all salsa ingredients and toss together.
- To assemble lunch bowls, divide ingredients evenly between four 2-cup capacity meal prep containers.
Storage
- Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- You may serve cold or warm up in the microwave before enjoying (see * notes)
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Tips:
Video
Nutrition Information
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Mia B. says
I can't wait to try these!!! I'm always looking for New healthy recipes to meal prep. Those are my favorite containers and they last forever I just don't microwave the tops and they look like new.
Denise says
I love the snapware containers, too! I use them so heavily and toss them in the dishwasher and they still snap great ๐ Thanks Mia, hope you enjoy the recipe!
Krystal says
Found you on Pinterest. Silly question but I'm making this tonight and wondered did you cook the canned corn?
Denise says
Hi Krystal, so sorry for my late reply! No need to cook the canned corn as it's already cooked ๐ I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Jessica says
Is it 872 mg of sodium PER BOWL?
That seems like a lot for one meal.
Denise says
You're right, that seems way off. Sometimes the ingredients in the My Fitness Pal database are off on certain values. I will go back and double check because there's no way that's right ๐
tammy says
hi may be a silly question but do you microwave this with the salad in?
Denise says
Hi Tammy, I just heat mine gently so the tomatoes don't get soggy, but you could also keep them out until after you've heated?
Colleen Welsch says
For me, canned corn is SO GROSS! It just reminds me of school lunches from my elementary days. But I'll give it another shot! This looks awesome!
Denise says
LOL well feel free to sub the corn for anything else: shredded cabbage, roasted sweet potatoes, roasted bell peppers and onions...there are a ton of options ๐ I hope you like it, Colleen!
Gayle says
This looks wonderful but I use taco flavored seasoned ground turkey it's wonderful
Denise says
Sounds perfect! I hope you like it Gayle ๐
Chef Lynne Pelletier says
This is a perfect idea for my "Foodie Express"! I cook for a family with triplets and a 4-year-old and am always looking for recipes that I can make for the adult lunches which I put in mason jars. This will be a perfect addition to my menus ! Thanks a bunch
Denise says
Thanks Lynne! I hope you enjoyed them ๐
Jennifer says
How many calories?
Denise says
Hi Jennifer, 387!
Janie says
Thanks for sharing this. Love Mexican food. It looks delicious! Will try this week!??
Denise says
I hope you enjoy it Janie ๐
Paige says
This might be a silly question but do you microwave it with the tomato salsa? Or do you eat it all cold?
Jennifer says
I say eat it cold. like a taco salad. I am making these for lunch this week and that was my plan.
Denise says
You can do it either way. I enjoyed mine warmed up slightly ๐
Janet says
I cook basmati brown rice which doesn't take as long as regular brown rice ?Thanks for the recipe!
Jennifer says
Has anyone tried to make their own taco seasoning for this recipe? I found a couple ways to make it online
Denise says
Hi Jennifer, it should be perfectly fine to make your own seasoning. I've used this one: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/46653/taco-seasoning-i/
Jennifer says
Thanks Denise! Getting this stuff today to prep tomorrow for this week ๐ your website has been such a lifesaver for me thank you for all that you do
Denise says
Thank you so much for your comment Jennifer! I hope you enjoy the lunch bowls ๐
Denise says
Hey Rachael! I use these ones: http://amzn.to/2kFLHmo Absolutely love them!
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
Following you! This looks so good!! I'd love to have you share it on our Taco Tuesday link up!
http://www.lazygastronome.com/taco-tuesday-2/
Lisa B says
Try charing that corn a bit in a cast iron skillet for a change of pace. I add it to all of my tacos and southwestern salads. Yummy.
Denise says
Great idea Lisa ๐
Susan says
I am running out today to get the ingredients for these bowls. They look incredible. Thanks.
Denise says
I hope you enjoy them Susan!
Tamara says
can you also freeze these? would love to make this, but I don't want to eat the same thing 4 days in a row...
Denise says
Hi Tamara, I haven't had great success with freeze/thawing rice. The turkey and the corn? Yes. The salsa definitely not. So I guess you could freeze portions of it ahead ๐
Josephine says
The best way to freeze rice is right after you make it. Place a cup of hot rice in a freezer bag and seal it and place it in the freezer immediately. The condensation will freeze with the rice. When you are ready for it, place it in the microwave for 2 minutes. It will steam in the bag making the rice soft and moist.
Brooklyn Birchenall says
Itโs good enough to eat 4 days in a row!! Just made this yesterday for this week. Iโm a little โfunnyโ about reheated meat (I donโt care for the taste) but this was delish! Glad I found something that I can prep and tastes so delicious!
Denise says
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for reporting back, Brooklyn!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
I started cooking brown rice in my oven a few years back and it's been a total game changer. Because I always hated cooking it on the stove. Now it's totally hands off! These lunch bowls look great!
Denise says
Oh that's cool! I've never tried it in the oven but just saw a tutorial for cooking quinoa that way that supposedly made it super fluffy! Must try!
Jennifer says
what are the directions for cooking Brown Rice in the oven ??? Just curious
Keely says
2.5 cups hot water
1Tbsp butter
pinch of salt
1.5 cups uncooked brown rice
Preheat oven to 375. Pour water into oven safe dish. Add butter and salt and stir until dissolved. Add rice and stir. Cover and cook for 1 hour. Remove, uncover, fluff, and let cool. I add some salt free flavouring with the butter step (chicken or beef).
Samela says
Do you put them in the fridge? Do they last?
Denise says
Hi Samela! Yes, you have to store them in the fridge, and they last for up to 4 days.
Taylor @ The Girl on Bloor says
I could have tacos for DAYS...and anything in bowl form is always a plus for me. I swear, all I've been eating is some variation of Mexican bowls for lunch everyday. These look so delicious Denise!
Denise says
Thanks Taylor! I'm a sucker for all Mexican flavors too ๐