Servings
Font
Back
Baja Grain Bowl
5 from 9 votes

Baja Grain Bowl

A healthy rainbow 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 add more fiber and protein. Fresh, filling and incredibly delicious!

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
55 mins
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex

Ingredients

  • 2 cups brown rice cooked
  • 1 cup quinoa OR another 1 cup cooked brown rice, cooked tri color
  • 20 oz. sweet potato peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (or chicken see notes
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp each cumin
  • 1 tsp each smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp each ancho chili powder
  • cayenne pepper to taste
  • salt
  • 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 onion red, chopped
Dressing
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 2 1/2 Tbsp lime juice plus 1 tsp lime zest, fresh
  • 1 medium garlic minced, clove
  • 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup (slightly packed) cilantro fresh

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  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 to taste, 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 both), 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.

Notes

  • *Chicken thighs or chicken breasts can be substituted for the sweet potatoes for a meat option. Simply chop into 1-inch chunks, toss with the spices and cook in a skillet with the 1 Tbsp olive oil until cooked through.