Spicy Beef Burrito Bowls – Easy High-Protein Meal Prep Lunch
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These Spicy Beef Burrito Bowls are a high-protein, meal prep–friendly lunch packed with flavor, color, and fresh toppings.
If you love bold flavors and easy meals that come together quickly, these Spicy Beef Burrito Bowls will become your new favorite lunch. They’re loaded with seasoned beef, fresh veggies, and your choice of rice, which helps turn them into one of the most reliable meal prep ideas lunch fans always come back to.
Every bite has heat, crunch, and brightness, and because everything stays fresh throughout the week, these bowls make busy days feel a lot easier. Plus, they’re simple, filling, and naturally high in protein — exactly what you need when you want a meal that tastes great without extra work.
A while back, I started making burrito bowls on Sundays because they saved me from grabbing takeout during stressful workweeks. I used to switch between chicken and ground turkey, but one day I tried a spicier beef version — and it instantly became the one I looked forward to the most.
The mix of heat, lime, and freshness always felt energizing, even after a long day. Eventually, this exact bowl became part of my weekly routine, mainly because it tasted amazing and took barely any effort to assemble.
Tips & Kitchen Hacks
• Add extra spice early — the flavors develop as the beef cooks.
• Rinse your rice before cooking so the grains stay fluffy.
• Prep toppings in separate containers to keep everything crisp.
• Swap hot sauce varieties weekly to keep the bowls exciting.
• Let the beef cool before assembling so your greens stay fresh.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• High in protein
• Perfect for weekly meal prep
• Easy to customize
• Bright, bold, spicy flavor
• Great balance of carbs, veggies, and protein
Spicy Beef Burrito Bowls
Course: Main, Meal PrepCuisine: American, MexicanDifficulty: Easy4
servings30
minutes40
minutes300
kcalThese Spicy Beef Burrito Bowls are a high-protein, meal prep–friendly lunch packed with flavor, color, and fresh toppings
Ingredients
- For the Spicy Beef
1 lb ground beef
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp oregano
1/4–1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust heat)
Salt & pepper
1/4 cup tomato sauce or salsa
Juice of 1/2 lime- For the Bowls
2 cups cooked rice (white, brown, or cilantro-lime rice)
1 cup corn (fresh, canned, or frozen)
1 cup black beans, rinsed
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup shredded lettuce
1 avocado, sliced or diced
Fresh cilantro
Lime wedges
Optional: hot sauce, cheese, Greek yogurt
Directions
- Begin by heating olive oil in a skillet over medium heat so the aromatics cook evenly.
- Add the diced onion and garlic, stirring until softened and fragrant.
- Add the ground beef and break it apart as it cooks until no longer pink.
- Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper so the flavors blend into the meat.
- Stir in the tomato sauce or salsa and allow the beef to simmer for 3–4 minutes, adding lime juice at the end for brightness.
- While the beef cooks, assemble the base of each bowl by dividing the rice among four containers.
- Add black beans, corn, tomatoes, and shredded lettuce around the rice to create compartments of color and texture.
- Spoon the spicy beef on top, then add avocado, cilantro, and optional toppings such as hot sauce or Greek yogurt.
Notes
Serving Suggestions / Variations
• Swap beef for turkey or chicken.
• Add sautéed peppers or roasted veggies.
• Serve over cauliflower rice for a lighter option.
• Mix in queso, pico de gallo, or jalapeños.
• Turn it into a wrap or taco filling.
Final Thoughts
These Spicy Beef Burrito Bowls are bold, satisfying, and incredibly easy to prep ahead, which makes them perfect for busy weeks. Because the components hold up beautifully and the flavors only get better, you’ll always have something filling and flavorful waiting for you in the fridge. Meal prep doesn’t get much easier — or tastier — than this.
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