This vegan taco bowl is they perfect way to feed all types of eaters with one meal. It's easily customizable and can be prepped ahead!
This post was originally published on March 8, 2016.
We love tacos and sometimes we love taking those taco ingredients and putting them together in bowls. This is a way to create component meals, which are when you make a bunch of ingredients and allow everyone to put them together how they want! Win win for all.
In addition to being kid and parent friendly these bowls are healthy, delicious, and so easy to mix up to keep things interesting! Make them even easier by using pre-prepared fillings and toppings.
Ingredients
Although these taco bowls can be completely customized, here are our favorite filling options:
- Shredded cabbage
- Mexican rice
- Lentil walnut taco meat
- Black beans
- Avocado
- Salsa
- Spicy Cilantro Cream
How to Make a Vegan Taco Bowl
This meal is too easy to make! Here's what you need to do:
- Start by loading the bowl with rice, beans, taco meat, and cabbage.
- Add toppings and enjoy!
More filling and topping suggestions
Add extra flavor to your taco bowls or switch things up with other toppings! Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Jalapeño
- Cilantro
- Limes
- Tomatoes
- Bell Peppers
- Onions
- Corn
- Shredded cheese or cheese sauce
- Hot sauce
- Vegan Sour Cream
- Guacamole
- Pinto Beans
- Taco Seasoned Jackfruit
- Mushroom Carnitas
Tips and tricks
These vegan taco bowls are so simple to make, keep it extra easy with these suggestions:
- If you use the recipe for lentil walnut taco meat, it makes 4 cups and you only need ¼ cup. Either reduce the recipe, or make the whole recipe and use the rest for future meals.
- Keep the cook time short by having the fillings and toppings prepared in advance.
- Prep extra rice, beans, corn, veggies, etc. and use them to make more meals throughout the week. (Learn more tips on making component meals to keep your sanity!)
- Make it fun and family friendly by setting up a build your own taco bowl bar. This way everyone can fill their bowls with what they like.
Common Questions
Taco bowls also go by the names taco salad and burrito bowls. Whatever you call them, they're all delicious!
Anything that sounds good! Great options include rice, beans, corn, peppers, salsa, guacamole. See above for a complete list of options.
Add all the fillings to a bowl, load with toppings, and dig in with a fork!
More Vegan Mexican Food Recipes
If you're like us and can't get enough Mexican inspired food each week, try these additional plant based recipes:
- High Protein Mexican Pasta Salad
- Vegan Burritos
- Pozole Verde
- Vegan Birria Tacos
- Mexican Street Corn Salad
- Black Bean Enchiladas
- Crispy Potato Tacos
Vegan Taco Bowl Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups shredded cabbage
- 2 cups Mexican rice , or use any rice you prefer (use ready made for a fast meal)
- 1 cup lentil walnut taco meat , or any other taco meat you prefer (see note)
- 1 cup black beans , homemade or store bought
- 1 avocado
- ½ cup salsa
- ½ cup Spicy Cilantro Cream , or any other sauce you prefer (homemade or store bought)
To Serve (optional):
Instructions
- Build the taco bowls by putting the ¾ cup cabbage, ½ cup rice, and ¼ cup taco meat and ¼ cup beans at the bottom of each bowl.
- Top with ¼ the avocado, 2 tablespoons salsa, 2 tablespoons spicy cilantro cream and any other garnishes you prefer!
- Enjoy!
Notes
- My lentil walnut taco meat makes 4 cups, so you only need ¼ the recipe. Or make the whole thing and freeze for later use.
- You can adapt these to be whatever you prefer with the toppings and main ingredients.
- The time is for using frozen or ready made ingredients. If you make everything from scratch the total time will be about an hour.
- Nutrition facts are for the main ingredients only. They will change depending on what you use and top it with.
Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.
Nutrition
Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.
Sarah
The perfect easy meal for a house full of hungry eaters with different tastes! Thank you!
Sharadia
I have a question about the garlic lemon cream sauce. Can you direct me to the garlic lemon part of the recipe. I noted on the sour cream recipe it said to make sure to use lime. I'm a little confused... thanks.
veggiesdontbite
Hi Sharadia! That was an old version of the recipe which has now been updated to my vegan sour cream. There were a few spots in the taco bowl recipe that missed being updated but they are fixed now! You are welcome to add any lemon or garlic to the sour cream as you blend it if you like those flavors.
Jeff
This is not low fat
veggiesdontbite
Hi Jeff, when I switched my recipe card system over some of the recipes did not transfer correctly. I just updated this one. Thanks!
Psychic Nest
Hi Sophia,
Great presentation of the dish along with all these amazing flavors put together. This taco bowl is fantastic, I can't wait to try it. Thank you!
Zaria
veggiesdontbite
Thanks so much! The flavors work well together, we love Mexican food!
Valencia - Life of a Vegaholic
I love a great Mexican bowl! It's so colorful and it looks super yummy!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks so much Valencia!
Erin
Oh, yeah!!!! I LOVE Mexican food – it’s always been my favorite and I’m pretty sure it always will be! This bowl is beautiful and so colorful! I love all the toppings (especially that sweet corn) and those tortilla chips look wonderful…that close up shot with the ingredients piled on is calling my name! I can’t wait to try this recipe!!!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks Erin! I love Mexican food too!! SO good!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate
I looooove your "throw together" dish, here! Looks so yummy filled with all the things I love! I'm sort of in your position -- I live in Phoenix, and it so hard not to love Mexican meals and ingredients -- so much goodness to enjoy! Nice meal!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks Patricia! Mexican is so versatile in all the different things you can do with it so it's easy to eat all the time!
Donna
Dump and go bowl dishes are definitely my favourites! This Mexican one sounds amazing, love the flavours you have going on. We are actually headed to San Diego for the first time next month, so excited to try all the food there 🙂
veggiesdontbite
Thanks Donna!! I love bowls too. Oh wow!! You're going to love it here. Where are you staying? If you're near the downtown area there are so many awesome places! Try Cafe Gratitude and Civico 1845 in little Italy. And there's a new one Bar Kindred in Southpark that's supposed to be awesome!
Lucie @WIN-WIN FOOD
Now that's my ideal dinner! Healthy, delicious and versatile enough to utilize those leftover ingredients in my fridge 🙂 Oh and your easy take on refried beans is amazing! I've always given up on these thinking it must take forever and call for too many unhealthy ingredients, this is perfect <3
veggiesdontbite
Thanks Lucie!! I love easy around here these days. And the beans are so easy!!!
Gin
This bowl sounds like Mexican perfection! I love how you dress up those refried beans with clever spices!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks Gin!! Yes, refried beans at home are the best!!
Kelly @ TastingPage
This is my kind of Mexican taco ball. It's so much healthier, and tastier if you ask me. Looks wonderful!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks Kelly! So much healthier and tastier for sure!
nancy @ ordinary vegan
Love this site and all your photos. I have been craving Mexican all week so this will be the perfect weekend family dinner. Thanks for sharing
veggiesdontbite
Awe, thanks Nancy!! You're too kind! I'm always craving Mexican. Lol! Let me know if you try it!
Debra @ Bowl Me Over
Your Taco Bowl looks just amazing - all of the yummy crunchy vegetables, looks just perfect. A great combination of flavors and wonderful meal!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks Debra! It's a great one bowl type of meal!