This easy taco rice bowl recipe is loaded with flavor and balanced with lean protein, healthy fats and plenty of fiber. If you love taco-inspired meals, this one’s going to be your new go-to.

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Why you’ll love these taco bowls

If you ask me what my favorite go-to healthy meal is as a Registered Dietitian, it’s this.

These taco rice bowls are not only absolutely delicious, but they’re also such an easy way to get in a nutritious and balanced meal. These bowls are high protein, high fiber and even have a good dose of healthy fats.

They’re also easily customizable! You can swap in your favorite ingredients, add other toppings or sauces that you love in a taco bowl and it will still be amazing.

Plus they’re so simple! The only real cooking is browning your ground turkey and making some rice (and I’ll tell you a secret: I always use frozen).

You can top these bowls with sour cream and salsa, make my favorite 2-Minute Greek Yogurt Taco Sauce, or just use your favorite ranch dressing!

Ingredients

1. Ground turkey: You can use any ground meat or even shredded chicken or pork for these bowls. Just be sure to season them with some taco seasoning!
2. Taco seasoning: Regardless of what protein you choose, you’ll need a good taco seasoning! My absolute favorite is Siete Taco Seasoning. I like making my own homemade version, too, but I love a store-bought seasoning in a pinch.
3. Chopped or shredded salad greens: Choose whatever salad greens you like best. I usually use baby green and red lettuce and then give it a rough chop! Romaine lettuce, baby spinach, or even iceberg lettuce will all work just fine too.
4. Rice: You can use white rice or brown rice for these bowls (the nutrition difference is actually pretty minimal!). Personally I usually opt for frozen rice that you can microwave quickly to minimize prep!
5. Cilantro: You’ll need cilantro to whip up a quick cilantro lime rice. If you’re not a cilantro fan, you an always omit!
6. Lime juice: I love using lime juice for cilantro lime rice, but also for squeezing a little extra on your finished taco bowl!
7. Avocado: Sliced avocado adds the perfect contrast of creamy texture and healthy fats to the taco bowl.
8. Shredded cheese: Any shredded cheese will work here. My favorites to use are shredded Monterey Jack cheese or shredded cheddar cheese.
9. Cherry tomatoes: You can use cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, chopped regular tomatoes, or even fresh pico de gallo.
10. Black beans: I love adding black beans for texture and for lots of gut-healthy fiber! You can also use chickpeas or even refried beans in your bowls.
11. Dressing: Creamy dressings go best with these bowls and I love using my easy Creamy Greek Yogurt Taco Sauce, or even my Buffalo Ranch Sauce!
12. Salt + black pepper

Step-by-step instructions

1. Heat a large non-stick skillet on medium heat and brown ground turkey, about 10-12 minutes. Halfway through cooking add 3 tbsp of taco seasoning and combine well. When ground turkey is completely browned throughout, remove from heat and set aside.
2. Start by making a quick cilantro lime rice. Combine rice, 1/4-1/2 lime juiced (taste to add as much as you like!), 1-3 tbsp of chopped cilantro, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of black pepper.

3. In each serving bowl, add 4 oz of cooked ground turkey, 1/2 cup of cilantro lime rice, 1/4 sliced avocado, 1/4 cup black beans, 1/4 cup shredded cheese, and 1/2 cup quartered cherry tomatoes.

4. Top each bowl with Greek Yogurt Taco Sauce, salsa, sour cream, or your favorite creamy ranch dressing!

5. Combine well and enjoy! Top with additional cilantro and lime juice to taste.

Recipe FAQ

Can you prep these bowls ahead of time?

Yes! You can prep these ahead for meal prep and store in airtight containers for up to 4 days. I recommend storing the dressing separate and then adding right before eating to prevent the dressing from becoming soggy.

How can I make these vegetarian?

To make these vegetarian just swap out the ground turkey for your favorite plant-based protein. You can use tofu, edamame, add extra beans, or use plant-based crumbles instead.

Variations

• Make this Easy 5-Minute Guac with just one avocado to top your bowls with!
• Top your taco bowls with Cottage Cheese Queso Dip!
• Crush tortilla chips into your taco bowls.
• Instead of using a dressing toss your ingredients in salsa and sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt).
• Make it spicy by adding some pickled or fresh jalapeńos.
• Turn these bowls into burritos by wrapping in your favorite tortilla (just reduce the lettuce so that everything fits!).
• Skip the bowls and stuff ingredients into taco shells instead.

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