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Call me basic, but my favorite meal might be a simple burrito bowl. Not any ol’ vegan burrito bowl, of course. I have standards! The bowl must have guacamole (duh!), every element must compliment the rest, it’s got to be colorful, has to be supremely delicious, and it needs to fill me up. A basic burrito bowl just won’t do. Despite the laundry list of needs, my favorite vegan burrito bowl is really easy to make and doesn’t require any special skill in the kitchen. You are going to want to make this recipe over and over and over…every week!
It’s better than Chipotle!
I know we all love Chipotle burrito bowls, but nothing can compare to this. Chipotle, move aside: lentil walnut taco meat is so much more delicious. And consider adding some homemade tofu sofritas to the bowl. I know I’m not the only one who worries endlessly about dairy and meat cross contamination at Chipotle. Do yourself a favor, and make this burrito bowl your new go-to.
The most fun part of the bowl––aside from the guacamole––is the meaty vegan taco meat made with lentils and walnuts. The combination of black lentils (which hold their shape and texture better than green lentils), and diced walnuts makes the best replacement for ground meat. I love that the ingredients are wholesome and nutritious! Season that up with oregano, cumin, chipotle pepper, and loads of garlic, and you’ve got yourself a party.
Meal prep superstar!
Best of all you’ll have plenty of leftovers so you can eat this vegan burrito bowl throughout the week. It’s my very favorite meal prep recipe! The lentil walnut taco meat can also be used for tacos, burritos, or taco salad. The zesty corn and bean salad is great in all of the above too.
Of course, you should consider serving it over Instant Pot Brown Rice, Instant Pot Quinoa, or Roasted Cauliflower Rice. For a fruity swap use mango guacamole instead. And consider topping it with quick-pickled onions and/or vegan sour cream.
If you’re a lentil fan check out my roundup of delicious vegan lentil recipes!
More Latin Inspired Recipes
Snacks & Dips
Vegan Nachos
Main Dishes
Tempeh Tacos
Main Dishes
Jackfruit Tacos with Bold Caribbean Flavor
Recipes
Cauliflower Walnut Taco Meat
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Better than Chipotle Vegan Burrito Bowl
Allergic to walnuts? Try replacing them with minced mushrooms. Different texture, but also meaty and it adds to the flavor!
Video
Ingredients
Taco Bowl (assembly measurements are per serving)
- 2 cups romaine, chopped
- 2 tbsp lime vinaigrette, recipe below
- 1/2 cup cooked brown rice
- 1/2 cup lentil walnut taco meat, recipe below
- 1/2 cup corn & bean salad, recipe below
- 1/4 cup guacamole, recipe below
- handful of tortilla chips
- fresh cilantro
Lime Vinaigrette
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, from about 1 lime
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup or agave
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder or cumin seeds
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
Lentil Walnut Taco Meat
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped finely
- 2 cups cooked black lentils, or use green or french lentils. Don’t use red lentils
- 1 14- oz can diced tomatoes
- 1/2-1 chipotle pepper, minced
- 2 tsp chipotle sauce, from the can of chipotle peppers
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp salt
Corn & Bean Salad
- 1 can red kidney beans or black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups frozen or fresh corn, thawed or grilled or quick sautéed if fresh
- 1 ripe tomato, diced
- ¼ cup red onion, diced (optional)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt + more to taste
- juice of 1 lime
Perfect Guacamole
- 2 ripe avocados, cubed
- ¼ cup red onion, diced
- 1/2 jalapeño pepper, minced (seeded or unseeded)
- ½ cup cilantro, chopped
- juice of 2 limes
- ½ tsp sea salt
Instructions
Taco Bowl
- Place the romaine in your serving bowl, and toss with the salad dressing.
- Add the other ingredients to the bowl, and garnish with fresh cilantro.
Lime Vinaigrette
- Place the ingredients into a jar.
- Tighten the lid and shake until emulsified.
Lentil Walnut Taco Meat
- Warm oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the garlic, and sauté for about 30 seconds or until fragrant and slightly golden. Be careful not to burn it.
- Add the chopped walnuts, and stir well. Toast for about 3 minutes, or until fragrant.
- Add the lentils, tomatoes, chipotle pepper and sauce, oregano, cumin, and salt.
- Stir well, and bring to a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes, then season to taste with salt if needed.
Black Bean Corn Salad
- Place the ingredients into a mixing bowl and stir well. Season to taste with more salt if necessary.
Guacamole
- Place the guacamole ingredients in a mortar and pestle and mash until your desired texture is reached. Tip: I actually like to mash mine with a fork first, then switch to the pestle so that I don’t make too much of a mess.
Notes
- Multitask: Prep each of the components simultaneously to save time. I recommend using the Instant Pot (if you have one) to help. Use this Instant Pot Lentils recipe, and when the lentils are finished, use the machine to cook the Instant Pot Brown Rice (or Instant Pot Quinoa).
I loved this bowl! The lentils are the best, it tastes like “chorizo” to me. The ingredients lists seemed so long at first, but it was really easy to make. Thank you!
I made it and its so good. I was concerned about the lentil/walnut recipe but it turned out delicious and filling!
OH. MY. GOD. This is the best thing I’ve ever eaten! Thank you so much for creating and sharing this recipe – it’s one of my family’s all time fave.
She points to this recipe all the time in her videos, I”m going to make it today!
This is hands-down one meal that my family is ALWAYS happy to have show up on the weekly menu of meals. Great flavors!!
Awesome! I love hearing that!
Super delicious! I’m battling through 1st trimester all day “morning” sickness, but am so thankful to have finally found something I can eat and keep down that isn’t a toaster strudel. Our toddler loved it too, especially the corn and bean salad.
Love this recipe – it’s a go to for us now. Thanks for posting
I don’t like spicy/hot food. Will leaving off peppers in lentil mixture alter the taste noticeably?
Awesome recipe. Merci beaucoup!
Thank you, Michel!
Wow! The lentil “meat” is wonderful on its own, I didn’t even get to making the whole taco bowl, I just dug into the lentils with tortilla chips and guac, yum! (This is my new favorite way to make lentils!) Love your recipes, thank you for your wonderful inspiration!
I can completely relate to eating the lentils before they make it to the bowl. And with chips and guac. YES!!!
I agree I as so afraid since Walnuts can be the price of some meat which is why they call them “Meat Nuts”. After completing the lentil/walnut mix, I decide to sample it and i said “WOW POW”. I was like you , I had to stop eating it in order to meal prep my bowls
Wonderful recipe, I will be making again next week!