Mexican Veggie Burrito Bowl with Black Beans and Avocado

A veggie burrito bowl brings the familiar fillings of a burrito into a fork-friendly rice bowl, making it ideal for a quick, flexible lunch or relaxed dinner. Here, fluffy long-grain rice forms the base for black beans, softened peppers and lightly charred sweetcorn, with cumin and chilli adding warmth rather than heaviness. Lime zest and juice sharpen the bowl, while avocado, fresh coriander and sour cream give it the cooling, creamy finish that makes this style of Mexican-inspired cooking so satisfying. It is colourful, filling and easy to adjust at the table.
Cuisine style Mexican-inspired vegetarian
Spice level Medium
Cooking style Meal prep friendly • Minimal cleanup
Time commitment Under 1 hour

Why this recipe works

  • Layered flavour: Cumin, chilli, garlic and lime give the beans and vegetables a warm, tangy base without needing a long simmer.
  • Good texture contrast: Fluffy rice, soft black beans, charred sweetcorn, creamy avocado and cool sour cream keep each bowl varied and satisfying.
  • Easy to prep ahead: The rice, beans and peppers can be cooked in advance, then finished with fresh avocado, coriander and dressing just before serving.

Get the most out of this recipe

Adjust the heat

  • Make it milder: Reduce the hot chilli powder to a small pinch, or swap it for smoked paprika for warmth without much heat.
  • Add more heat: Increase the chilli powder to taste, or serve extra chilli flakes or hot sauce at the table so each bowl can be adjusted.

Make-ahead tips

  • Store the fresh toppings separately: Keep the rice and bean mixture chilled, then add avocado, coriander, lime dressing and sour cream after reheating.
  • Reheat gently: Warm the rice and beans with a splash of water so the grains loosen and the beans heat through without drying out.

Ingredient notes

  • Choose a firm-ripe avocado: A ripe but firm avocado slices cleanly and holds its shape in the bowl.
  • Use lime to balance the bowl: Taste the dressing before serving and add a little more lime juice if the beans or sour cream need a sharper lift.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Rinse the rice in a colander until the water runs mostly clear. Tip into a saucepan with 300 ml water and 0.5 tsp of the fine sea salt, bring to the boil, then cover and cook on low for 12 minutes. Remove from the heat and leave, covered, for 10 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
  2. Meanwhile, finely slice the onion, slice the red pepper, and crush the garlic. Heat 1 tbsp of the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat, add the sweet corn kernels and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until lightly charred in places. Scrape into a bowl.
  3. Add the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to the pan, then cook the onion and red pepper with a pinch of the remaining salt for 6 to 8 minutes until softened and starting to colour. Stir in the garlic, ground cumin and hot chili powder and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the canned black beans (drained and rinsed) and a splash of water, then cook for 2 to 3 minutes until hot.
  4. Finely chop most of the fresh coriander, reserving a little to finish. Zest the lime into a small bowl, then squeeze in the juice and whisk with 2 tbsp water and the remaining salt to make a bright dressing. Taste and adjust with a little more lime juice if you like it sharper.
  5. Halve the avocado, remove the stone, and slice the flesh. Divide the rice between two bowls, then top with the beans and peppers, and the roasted sweetcorn. Spoon over the lime dressing, scatter with the chopped coriander, and finish each bowl with a generous spoonful of sour cream and the reserved coriander.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • For fluffier rice, keep the lid on during the 10-minute rest so the steam finishes the grains gently.
  • If you prefer a milder bowl, reduce the hot chili powder to a pinch and let everyone add more at the table.
  • To keep the avocado green for longer, toss the slices with a little of the lime juice just before serving.

Substitutions

  • Replace Sour cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier finish.
  • Replace Red pepper with Yellow pepper for a sweeter flavour.
  • Replace Hot chili powder with Smoked paprika for warmth without as much heat.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 3 days
  • Store the rice and bean mixture in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat in a saucepan with a splash of water over low heat until piping hot, or in the microwave, then add the avocado, fresh coriander, lime dressing and sour cream just before serving.

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Mexican Veggie Burrito Bowl with Black Beans and Avocado
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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 2 servings
  • Total time: 45min (25min active)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cuisine: Mexican
  • Allergens:
    Milk
Beginner friendly Kid friendly

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