Easy Vegan Burrito Bowls
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Easy Vegan Burrito Bowls
These vegan burrito bowls are an incredibly satisfying and healthy plant-based meal featuring a hearty base of seasoned potatoes. They come together in about 30 minutes, making them a perfect solution for busy weeknight dinners or easy meal prep. Customize them with your favorite toppings for a colorful, delicious, and wholesome vegan dinner.
I first fell in love with the concept of a burrito bowl recipe during my travels, appreciating how a simple bowl can hold such complex, vibrant flavors. This particular version, centered on comforting potatoes, has become my go-to for a quick yet deeply satisfying healthy vegan meal. I love serving it alongside something light and fresh, like our classic Authentic Greek Salad, for a perfectly balanced dinner. It’s also an excellent make-ahead option, much like our convenient Vegetable Grain Bowl, ensuring a nutritious lunch is ready when you are.
Why You’ll Love This Vegan Bowl
- Hearty & Satisfying: The seasoned potato base provides a comforting and filling foundation that keeps you full.
- Effortlessly Customizable: Easily adapt these plant-based bowls with your preferred beans, salsas, and toppings.
- Quick Weeknight Solution: With a total time of 30 minutes, this is a realistic and fast vegan dinner.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Components store beautifully, making lunches for the week a breeze.
What You Need for Perfect Vegan Burrito Bowls
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.
- Russet Potatoes: Their high starch content creates a wonderfully fluffy mash, ideal for the base of your vegan burrito bowls.
- Plant-Based Milk: Use an unsweetened, unflavored variety like oat or soy to keep the savory profile intact.
- Vegan Butter: Adds essential richness and helps create a smooth, creamy texture.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Fundamental seasonings that enhance all the other flavors in the bowl.
Vegan Burrito Bowls
Make delicious vegan burrito bowls in just 30 minutes! This healthy plant-based recipe features seasoned potatoes and simple ingredients for a satisfying meal.
Equipment
- large pot
- colander
- potato ricer
- potato masher
- wooden spoon
- rubber spatula
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- knife
- cutting board
Ingredients
- 2 pounds russet potatoes peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1/2 cup whole milk warmed
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Place the potato chunks in a large pot and cover with cold water by 1 inch. Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to maintain a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are very tender and easily pierced with a fork.
- Drain the potatoes thoroughly in a colander and return them to the warm pot. Let them sit for 1-2 minutes to allow excess moisture to evaporate.
- Pass the hot potatoes through a potato ricer or food mill back into the pot for the smoothest texture. Alternatively, mash them in the pot with a potato masher until no large lumps remain.
- Add the warm milk, softened butter, salt, and pepper to the potatoes. Stir gently with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until the ingredients are fully incorporated and the mashed potatoes are smooth and fluffy. Avoid overmixing.
Notes
Add mozzarella or feta for a cheesy twist. Let dough rise in a warm oven (off) for faster proofing.
Make It Your Own With These Variations
- Spicy Southwest Style: Stir in a diced jalapeño and a teaspoon of chili powder to the potatoes for a kick.
- Loaded Veggie Bowl: Top with sautéed bell peppers, onions, and corn for extra color and nutrition.
- Protein-Packed Version: Add a can of rinsed black beans or seasoned lentils for an even heartier meal.
My Top Tips for Burrito Bowl Success
- Potato Texture: Cutting the potatoes into uniform 1-inch chunks ensures they all cook at the same rate for even mashing.
- Drain Thoroughly: Letting the potatoes steam dry in the hot pot for a minute after draining prevents a watery mash.
- Warm Your Liquids: Adding warm plant-based milk and room-temperature vegan butter helps them incorporate smoothly without cooling the potatoes. This technique works wonders for creamy dishes like our Vegan Stew with Dumplings.
- Season Generously: Potatoes need a good amount of salt, so taste and adjust the seasoning at the end.
How to Store and Reheat Your Bowls
- Store: Keep components separate in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days for the best texture.
- Freeze: The mashed potato base freezes well for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Reheat: Warm the potatoes gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring in a splash of plant-based milk to refresh the creaminess.
- Make-Ahead Tip: You can prep the potato base up to two days in advance, making assembly on busy nights incredibly fast. This strategy is perfect for pairing with other make-ahead sides like Stuffed Bell Peppers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are vegan burrito bowls made of?
Our vegan burrito bowls start with a creamy base of mashed potatoes instead of rice, topped with classic ingredients like beans, corn, salsa, and avocado. They are entirely plant-based, using vegan butter and milk for richness, making for a hearty and healthy vegan meal.
Are burrito bowls actually healthy?
Yes, when made with wholesome ingredients like ours, burrito bowls are very healthy. They are packed with fiber from vegetables and beans, complex carbohydrates from potatoes, and healthy fats from avocado, offering a balanced and nutritious plant-based meal.
What is the difference between a burrito and a burrito bowl?
The main difference is the tortilla. A burrito has all its fillings wrapped inside a flour tortilla, while a burrito bowl is served deconstructed in a bowl, making it a great gluten-free and often lower-carb option.
How do you thicken a burrito bowl?
If your bowl seems too saucy or wet, the best way to thicken it is by ensuring your base ingredient, like the mashed potatoes in this recipe, is well-drained and not watery. Letting the potatoes steam dry after boiling is the key step.
More Delicious Vegan Dinners to Try
Why This Vegan Burrito Bowl Wins
With its creamy potato base and endless customization options, this is the ultimate fuss-free and satisfying healthy vegan meal. It proves that plant-based eating can be both incredibly delicious and deeply comforting. I hope this burrito bowl recipe becomes a cherished favorite in your home kitchen.
