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Easy High-Protein Loaded Taco Bowl Recipe for Perfect Meal Prep

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A quick, filling, and healthy taco bowl featuring lean ground turkey, black beans, and fresh veggies, perfect for meal prep and packed with protein and flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb lean ground turkey or chicken (ground beef or plant-based crumbles work too)
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp oregano
  • ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 cup cooked brown rice or quinoa
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup fresh corn kernels (thawed if frozen)
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese (optional)
  • Fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
  • Fresh lime wedges
  • Plain Greek yogurt or sour cream (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 cup of brown rice or quinoa under cold water. In a medium pot, combine with 2 cups of water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 35-40 minutes (rice) or 15-20 minutes (quinoa) until water is absorbed and grains are tender. Fluff with a fork and set aside to cool slightly.
  2. While the grain cooks, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until softened. Toss in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Add the ground turkey (or your choice of protein) to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Break it up with a spatula and cook for 6-8 minutes until no longer pink and starting to brown.
  4. Stir in the drained black beans and sprinkle the taco seasoning mix over the meat. Mix well to coat everything evenly. Let cook for another 3-4 minutes so the flavors meld together. If the mixture seems dry, splash in a bit of water or broth to keep it moist.
  5. While the meat simmers, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the avocado, and chop the cilantro. If using frozen corn, thaw and drain any excess liquid.
  6. Divide the cooked rice or quinoa between four meal prep containers or bowls. Top each with a generous scoop of the seasoned meat and bean mixture. Scatter tomatoes, corn, avocado, and cheese (if using) over the top.
  7. Garnish each bowl with chopped cilantro and a lime wedge. Add a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream on the side if desired. Let the bowls cool completely before sealing and storing in the fridge.

Notes

[‘Do not overcook the meat to keep it juicy; add a splash of broth or water if needed.’, ‘Add seasoning after the meat is partially cooked to bloom the spices.’, ‘Use fresh lime juice to brighten flavors.’, ‘Dice tomatoes and avocado just before eating to keep fresh.’, ‘Batch cook grains and freeze in portions for faster meal prep.’, ‘Swap proteins or grains to suit dietary preferences.’, ‘Store avocado separately to avoid browning.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: high-protein, taco bowl, meal prep, healthy, ground turkey, black beans, quick dinner, easy recipe