Description
These Easy Ground Beef Meal Prep Bowls are a simple way to prepare filling lunches or dinners ahead of time. They combine seasoned ground beef, rice, fresh vegetables, and a creamy yogurt sauce for a balanced meal that is easy to reheat and enjoy throughout the week.
Ingredients
For the Ground Beef
- 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Bowls
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn
- 1 cup diced bell peppers
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1/2 cup diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, optional
Creamy Yogurt Sauce
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1–2 tablespoons water, as needed
Instructions
- Cook the beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking it apart as it cooks.
- Season the beef: Drain excess fat if needed. Add paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Stir and cook for another 1–2 minutes.
- Prepare the sauce: Mix Greek yogurt, lime juice, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Add water until the sauce reaches your preferred consistency.
- Prepare the vegetables: Chop the bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumber, and lettuce.
- Build the bowls: Divide the cooked rice between four meal prep containers. Add the cooked ground beef, black beans, corn, bell peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, and cucumber.
- Add the cheese: Sprinkle cheddar cheese over each bowl if using.
- Pack the sauce separately: Place the yogurt sauce in small containers and keep it separate from the bowls.
- Refrigerate: Cover the meal prep containers and refrigerate until ready to eat.
Notes
Storage
Store the meal prep bowls in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep the yogurt sauce separate until serving.
Reheat the beef and rice in the microwave until hot, then add the cold vegetables and sauce.
Recipe Tips
- Use lean ground beef for a lighter meal.
- Cook the beef and rice in batches to make meal prep faster.
- Swap rice for quinoa, brown rice, or roasted potatoes.
- Add avocado just before serving so it stays fresh.
- Use different vegetables based on what you already have.
- Add salsa, hot sauce, or lime juice for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Meal Prep
- Method: Stovetop