In this article we’ll look at how to make Mexican-style bowls as they can be a healthy, delicious and easy meal option for your repertoire.
What are Mexican-style bowls?
What I calling Mexican-style bowls include what are commonly known as burrito bowls and Mexican or taco salads. However, some burrito bowls have no vegetables and I like my bowls to be heavy on the veg.
How to make Mexican-style bowls
You can follow recipes but I don’t. You can also get inspiration from the menu of your favourite Mexican restaurant.
I have a general structure and ingredients I gravitate toward, which I’ll explain below. However, it’s more important to use ingredients that you like and have at home (or can buy easily for a reasonable price).
1. The base
Choose one or a combination of the options below.
- Shredded cabbage and/or lettuce: my preferred choice. You can also use a pre-packed coleslaw.
- Salad leaves: if you don’t have cabbage or plain lettuce, grab a bag of mixed salad leaves
- Starch (optional): leftover cooked rice rice, quinoa, etc. if you want/need extra carbs
2. The protein
Choose one or a combination of the options below.
- Cooked mince: usually beef but pork (or beef + pork), turkey and chicken also work well
- Leftover cooked shredded chicken or pork
- Canned beans: black, red kidney, pinto or Mexican mix
- Canned tuna: get it in spring water or brine, not in oil as you’ll be seasoning your bowl anyway
3. The seasonings
- Ground spices: usually cumin, paprika, oregano, chipotle powder (if you have it), salt and pepper. If you’re cooking meat for the bowl, use the spices in the cooking process, otherwise use them to season the protein component of the bowl.
- Lime juice: essential, use it to season all the elements of the bowl (both the vegetables and the protein). Make sure you don’t wait until the end because the bottom of the bowl won’t get seasoned.
- Extra virgin olive oil: optional, drizzled mainly over the vegetable component of the bowl
4. The toppings
Choose from the list below based on your taste and energy budget (some can be energy dense!).
- Homemade guacamole or avocado
- Pico de gallo (tomato, onion, chilli and coriander seasoned with lime juice and salt) or chopped tomato
- Cooked corn
- Sliced radishes
- Fresh coriander leaves
- Pickled jalapeños, fresh sliced chillies and/or hot sauce
- Grated cheese (I like a sharp Cheddar or tasty, some people prefer mozzarella)
- Sour cream or Greek yoghurt
Some inspiration
The most important thing about making Mexican-style bowls is to experiment and make them to your liking! Then congratulate yourself for making a beautiful, nourishing and hopefully budget-friendly meal for yourself and your loved ones.
Below are some of my homemade Mexican-style bowls.
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