Baja Grain Bowls
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A healthy rainbow Baja Grain Bowl made with nutritious brown rice and quinoa, vitamin packed veggies including bell pepper, sweet potatoes, corn, avocado and red onion. And it also includes hearty black beans to make it more filling and add more fiber and protein.
Baja Bowl Inspired by Panera
These flavorful bowls, inspired by Panera version, include layer after layer of fresh flavor and a variety of textures. You get some nutty chewiness with the grains, tender softness and sweet flavor from the sweet potatoes, tart tang from the cilantro lime dressing, and a crisp bite from the fresh bell pepper and corn.
Collectively they create one beautifully colorful and deliciously satisfying grain bowl.
After you try this Mexican spin on grain bowls you can try building your own grain bowl from scratch. Wondering how to build a grain bowl? Simply include a base layer of grains, add fresh and/or roasted vegetables, a protein (such as legumes, meat, tofu, eggs) or cheese, fresh greens, and finish with a dressing or sauce of choice.
They make such a filling dinner and are an excellent option for make ahead meal prep for lunch too.
Possible Variations
To build these bowls include the grain and black beans, from there you can add your own substitutions:
- Protein: These can also be made with chicken thighs or chicken breasts in place of the sweet potatoes, I’ve included instructions in the note of the recipe.
- Cheese: You can add cheese such as feta, cheddar or queso fresco.
- Sauces: They are also delicious with a heaping spoonful of salsa, pico de gallo or a finishing drizzle of Mexican hot sauce. If you want more creaminess try serving them with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt.
- Veggies: You can subsistute some of the vegetables here for others you may have on hand, that’s the beauty of a grain bowl. Poblano pepper, zucchini, winter squash, or tomatoes are a great fit.
- Grains: These could also be made with farro or barley. Or you can use all brown rice or all quinoa rather than a blend.
Baja Grain Bowls Recipe Ingredients
- Cooked brown rice and optionally tri color quinoa
- Olive oil
- Spices including cumin, paprika, ancho chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper
- Garlic
- Lime
- Canned black beans
- Veggies: Corn, red bell pepper or roma tomatoes, avocado, red onion, sweet potatoes, cilantro
How to Make a Rainbow Grain Bowl
- 1. Preheat oven to 400 degress. Spray a rimmed 18 by 13-inch baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
- 2. Place sweet potatoes on baking sheet in a mound, drizzle over 1 Tbsp olive oil, add 1/2 tsp of each cumin, smoked paprika and ancho chili powder. Season with salt and pepper, toss potatoes well to evenly coat then spread into an even layer.
- 3. Bake in preheated oven 15 minutes. Toss then return to oven and continue to roast until tender, about 10 minutes longer.
- 4. Meanwhile in a food processor make the dressing by blending together cilantro, 1/3 cup olive oil, the lime juice and zest, garlic, honey and salt and pepper to taste. Pulse until the cilantro is finely minced.
- 5. In a microwave safe bowl toss together black beans with remaining 1/2 tsp each of cumin, smoked paprika and chili powder. Season with salt and pepper. Heat in microwave until warmed through.
- 6. Toss together rice and quinoa (if using bowl). Then divide it among four large serving bowls.
- 7. Add bell pepper or tomatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, avocados, red onion and black beans. Drizzle each serving with cilantro lime dressing.
How to Make Them Vegan
- These are already naturally vegan if you just use the maple syrup option in place of honey.
- Then of course don’t include additions of cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt toppings (unless using vegan alternatives).
Building These with Less Ingredients
Want to cut back on the ingredients list? These will be delicious with the brown rice, black beans, cilantro lime dressing and one veggie of choice.
Storage and Reheating
- If you plan on having an extra servings or are making ahead for meal prep then wait to add the avocado until ready to serve.
- Store each serving in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the microwave, uncovered, until warmed through. About 2 minutes.
More Ways to Make a Grain Bowl
Follow Easy Cooking Zone
Baja Grain Bowl
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked brown rice
- 1 cup cooked tri color quinoa (OR another 1 cup cooked brown rice)
- 20 oz. sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (or chicken see notes*)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp each cumin, smoked paprika, and ancho chili powder
- Cayenne pepper to taste
- Salt and black pepper
- 1 (14.5 oz) can black beans, drained
- 1 1/4 cups corn (raw or cooked)
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped or 1 cup chopped tomatoes
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1/2 cup chopped chopped red onion
Dressing
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 1/2 Tbsp fresh lime juice, plus 1 tsp lime zest
- 1 medium garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 cup (slightly packed) fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degress. Spray a rimmed 18 by 13-inch baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
- Place sweet potatoes on baking sheet in a mound, drizzle over 1 Tbsp olive oil, add 1/2 tsp of each cumin, smoked paprika and ancho chili powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste, toss potatoes well to evenly coat then spread into an even layer.
- Bake in preheated oven 15 minutes. Toss then return to oven and continue to roast until tender, about 10 minutes longer.
- Meanwhile in a food processor make the dressing by blending together cilantro, 1/3 cup olive oil, the lime juice and zest, garlic, honey and salt and pepper to taste. Pulse until the cilantro is finely minced.
- In a microwave safe bowl toss together black beans with remaining 1/2 tsp each of cumin, smoked paprika and chili powder. Season with salt and pepper. Heat in microwave until warmed through.
- Toss together rice and quinoa (if using both), then divide it among four large serving bowls.
- Add bell pepper or tomatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, avocados, red onion and black beans. Drizzle each serving with cilantro lime dressing.