Burrito bowl meal prep

The short answer: for burrito bowl meal prep, cook 1 1/4 cups of rice, brown 1 pound of ground turkey with taco seasoning, then split the rice, meat, black beans, corn and cheddar into 4 containers with salsa on the side. It takes about 30 minutes and costs $1.63 a bowl at today's prices.

• Key numbers: 4 bowls · 30 minutes · $6.54 a batch · about 700 calories and 39 g protein a bowl · 4 days in the fridge · up to 3 months in the freezer
• Cheapest swap: skip the meat and add a can of pinto beans for $1.37 a bowl
• Free and paid next step: get the free recipe book printable (we email it to you) to save this recipe, or plan the week with the Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99).

Prep time: 15 minCook time: 23 minTotal time: 1 hr 3 minServings: 4 bowlsTotal includes 25 min of resting, chilling or rising.

This burrito bowl meal prep was priced November 4, 2026, using Walmart store brands on walmart.com. Below you'll find the base recipe, six versions with cost and protein for each, a scaling chart, and how to store, freeze and reheat the bowls safely.

Burrito bowl meal prep ingredients

This makes 4 bowls.

Optional toppings that aren't in the cost: lime wedges, cilantro, sliced green onion, hot sauce or pickled jalapeños.

How to make burrito bowl meal prep

1. Cook the rice. Bring 1 1/4 cups rice and 2 1/2 cups water to a boil, cover, and simmer on low for 18 minutes. Let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes, then fluff.
2. Brown the turkey. While the rice cooks, brown the turkey in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up as it cooks. Ground turkey is done at 165°F, per the FoodSafety.gov safe minimum temperature chart.
3. Season it. Stir in the taco seasoning and 1/2 cup water. Simmer 3 to 5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
4. Prep the beans and corn. Rinse and drain the black beans and drain the corn. You can warm them in the skillet for a minute or leave them cold.
5. Build the bowls. Add about 1 cup of rice to each container, then a quarter of the turkey, beans and corn. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of cheddar on top.
6. Pack the salsa separately. Spoon the salsa into small lidded cups so the rice doesn't turn soggy.
7. Cool and refrigerate. Let the bowls cool uncovered for about 20 minutes, then lid them and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.

6 burrito bowl meal prep versions with cost and protein

Every version uses the same rice, beans, corn, cheese, salsa and seasoning as the base recipe, so you only change one or two items.

Calories and protein are estimates from USDA FoodData Central, the federal nutrition database. Ground turkey at $1.98 a pound is why the classic version is so cheap. Ground beef was $6.43 a pound today, which adds more than a dollar a bowl.

For chicken, cook the diced breast in the skillet until it reaches 165°F, then season it the same way. For brown rice, simmer 1 1/4 cups with 2 1/2 cups water for about 40 to 45 minutes.

Scaling chart

Costs count only what you use. You'll have rice, seasoning and salsa left over, which you can track in a grocery price book.

How long burrito bowl meal prep lasts

Cooked bowls keep 3 to 4 days in the fridge, according to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. If you're making 5 bowls on Sunday, freeze the last one or two and move them to the fridge the night before.

• To freeze: leave the cheese and salsa off, cool the bowls fully, and freeze for up to 3 months for best quality.
• To reheat: microwave for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring halfway, until the rice and meat are steaming hot (165°F).
• To add toppings: stir the salsa and yogurt in after reheating so they stay cool and fresh.
• To keep rice soft: sprinkle a teaspoon of water over the rice before microwaving.

Burrito bowl meal prep tips

• Rinse the beans. It removes some of the sodium and the thick canning liquid.
• Use a nonstick skillet for turkey. Turkey is lean and sticks more than beef.
• Make it spicier. Add a diced jalapeño to the turkey or use hot salsa.
• Add greens on the day. Shredded lettuce or spinach wilts if you pack it on Sunday.
• Use the leftovers twice. Extra turkey and rice make a quick breakfast burrito with a scrambled egg.

For more weekly ideas, see our meal prep ideas, ground turkey recipes and high-protein meal prep. To keep the whole week's food cost down, read our guides on meal planning on a budget and how to grocery shop on a budget, or keep extras in rotation with our freezer meals. Portion each bowl in the best meal prep containers so rice, protein and salsa stay separate.

Plan prep day and save the recipe

• Meal Planner & Grocery List, $3.99. A weekly menu grid and an aisle-sorted grocery list, so rice, beans, salsa and turkey are on the list before prep day.
• Family Recipe Binder, $6.99. Fillable recipe pages and cards for your favorite burrito bowl version, with room for cost and servings.
• Family Life Admin Bundle, $15.99 ($23.95 bought separately). Includes both printables above plus three more family organizers.

Browse every meal planner and recipe printable in our printables shop.

Want the same fillings in a tortilla? Make a burrito with a tight fold and skillet seal. For more batch rice dinners beyond bowls, browse our rice recipes hub.

Add quick pickled red onions for a sharp, crunchy topping; keep the jar refrigerated rather than treating this quick pickle as shelf-stable.

For a grown-up desk lunch rotation, see these work lunch ideas with microwave and no-microwave options.