21 Healthy Rice Bowls That Are High in Protein (2024)

These healthy rice bowl recipes are customizable meals that everyone will want to get their hands on. With black, brown, wild or cauliflower rice as a tasty, filling base, we pile these bowls high with all of your favorite veggies, beans, fish, meat and herbs to create delicious flavor combinations that you'll love, from spicy shrimp taco-inspired bowls to bright, fresh sushi bowls. Each serving has at least 15 grams of protein, so you know these recipes will help keep you feeling full. Whip up recipes like our Salmon Rice Bowl and Easy Chicken Tinga Rice Bowls for dinner, then box up the leftovers for a totable work lunch.

01of 21

Salmon Rice Bowl

View Recipe

21 Healthy Rice Bowls That Are High in Protein (1)

Inspired by the viral TikTok trend, this tasty bowl makes for a satisfying lunch or dinner. With a handful of healthy ingredients, like instant brown rice, heart-healthy salmon and lots of crunchy veggies, you'll have a filling and flavorful meal in just 25 minutes. Looking to cut down on carbs? Try swapping in riced cauliflower in place of the brown rice.

02of 21

Green Veggie Bowl with Chicken & Lemon-Tahini Dressing

View Recipe

21 Healthy Rice Bowls That Are High in Protein (2)

For this healthy 30-minute dinner, treat your veggies like pasta and cook until al dente, or just done. If you have a little extra time, double or triple the lemon-tahini dressing and use it to quickly dress a salad or as a sauce for steak or shrimp.

03of 21

Turmeric Rice Bowl with Garam Masala Root Vegetables & Chickpeas

View Recipe

21 Healthy Rice Bowls That Are High in Protein (3)

This fragrant turmeric rice bowl topped with leftover spiced roasted root vegetables and chickpeas is inspired by flavors from India for an easy, vegetarian dinner.

04of 21

Shrimp Poke

View Recipe

21 Healthy Rice Bowls That Are High in Protein (4)

Not a fan of raw fish? No problem--this poke (pronounced poke-ay) recipe substitutes cooked peeled shrimp instead. This fast, veggie-loaded dish includes seasoned brown rice for a hearty boost of fiber.

05of 21

Easy Chicken Tinga Rice Bowls

View Recipe

21 Healthy Rice Bowls That Are High in Protein (5)

Leftover chicken tinga, pinto beans and bell peppers combine to make a hearty, flavorful rice bowl. Finish with your favorite toppings like avocado and lime wedges.

06of 21

Southwestern Cauliflower Rice Bowls with Shrimp & Avocado Crema

View Recipe

21 Healthy Rice Bowls That Are High in Protein (6)

These healthy Southwestern cauliflower rice bowls, topped with black beans, corn and smoky chipotle shrimp, get a cool-down from homemade avocado crema and take just 30 minutes to make.

07of 21

Chickpea Rice Bowls with Chicken & Halloumi

View Recipe

21 Healthy Rice Bowls That Are High in Protein (7)

Present this meal buffet-style so everyone can craft their own bowls and get what they want (including an argument-free dinner). Chickpea "rice" has twice the protein and five times the fiber of brown rice. Find it in many supermarkets or online.

08of 21

Coconut Black Rice Bowls with Tofu & Purple Asparagus

View Recipe

21 Healthy Rice Bowls That Are High in Protein (8)

Black beans, black rice and black sesame seeds all contain anthocyanins, potent antioxidant compounds that have been shown to reduce inflammation. So "forbidden" rice isn't just striking, it's also a serious nutrition upgrade. Simmering it in coconut milk adds rich aroma and flavor.

09of 21

Roasted Veggie & Tofu Brown Rice Bowl

View Recipe

21 Healthy Rice Bowls That Are High in Protein (9)

A healthy and satisfying vegan lunch for one, featuring roasted butternut squash, broccoli, peppers and onions with simple brown rice, lime-marinated tofu and creamy cashew tahini sauce.

10of 21

Banh Mi Black Rice Bowls

View Recipe

21 Healthy Rice Bowls That Are High in Protein (10)

For this easy dinner recipe, we've taken inspiration from the popular Vietnamese banh mi sandwich, but lost the bun to make room for one of our favorite whole grains: black (aka forbidden) rice. To make these healthy grain bowls vegetarian, simply use additional tamari in place of the fish sauce.

11of 21

Vegetarian Sushi Grain Bowl

View Recipe

21 Healthy Rice Bowls That Are High in Protein (11)

Skip the hassle of making sushi rolls at home and just go for this grain bowl. Start with a base of brown rice and add veggies, dressing and creamy avocado for a delicious and easy meal.

12of 21

Bean & Veggie Taco Bowl

View Recipe

21 Healthy Rice Bowls That Are High in Protein (12)

Simple brown rice and black beans serve as the backdrop for sautéed veggies and taco toppings!

13of 21

Tuna Poke

View Recipe

21 Healthy Rice Bowls That Are High in Protein (13)

Poke (pronounced poke-ay), a Hawaiian word meaning "to chop" or "to cut," refers to a traditional Hawaiian salad of diced raw fish in a simple, soy-based sauce with punchy seasonings like toasted sesame and chopped scallion greens. These tuna poke bowls feature seasoned brown rice and fresh veggies for a healthy, satisfying meal packed with protein and fiber.

14of 21

Tofu & Roasted Vegetable Grain Bowl with Pumpkin Seeds

View Recipe

21 Healthy Rice Bowls That Are High in Protein (14)

Crispy tofu lends protein to this burrito bowl-inspired veggie-packed grain bowl that's perfect for a quick and easy dinner or packable lunch for work.

15of 21

Salmon Sushi Grain Bowl

View Recipe

21 Healthy Rice Bowls That Are High in Protein (15)

Get all the delicious flavors of sushi without the time-consuming rolling with this quick grain bowl recipe. All you need is 15 minutes to get this healthy dinner on the table or to pack it up for lunch at work.

16of 21

Teriyaki Tofu Rice Bowls

View Recipe

21 Healthy Rice Bowls That Are High in Protein (16)

With a handful of shortcut ingredients from your local specialty grocery store, you can prepare an entire week's worth of high-fiber meals in about 15 minutes. Look for precooked wild rice packets to cut down on prep time. Plus, wild rice is a good source of fiber and each pouch of cooked rice heats in 3 minutes. Topping these bowls with prebaked tofu also cuts down on the time it takes to make this quick meal-prep lunch.

17of 21

Slow-Cooker Chicken & Rice Bowls

View Recipe

21 Healthy Rice Bowls That Are High in Protein (17)

A bowl of tender shredded chicken, hot cooked rice and slightly spicy black beans served with fresh toppings is a meal that will satisfy anytime. Make this slow-cooker chicken dish on the weekend and reheat throughout the week for easy at-work lunches or dinner at the end of a long day. For a variation, swap the brown rice for a grain medley.

18of 21

Gochugaru Shrimp & Black Rice Bowls

View Recipe

21 Healthy Rice Bowls That Are High in Protein (18)

This shrimp rice bowl gets its kick from fiery gochugaru—Korean-style red pepper flakes. Don't let that carrot-pickling liquid go to waste! We stir it into the cooked rice in these bowls to really bump up the flavor.

19of 21

Black Bean-Cauliflower "Rice" Bowl

View Recipe

21 Healthy Rice Bowls That Are High in Protein (19)

This aromatic cauliflower rice bowl comes together in minutes and is a simple meal for one. Using frozen riced cauliflower instead of rice keeps the carbs in check--and makes for quicker prep.

20of 21

Meal-Prep Curried Chicken Bowls

View Recipe

21 Healthy Rice Bowls That Are High in Protein (20)

Curry doesn't have to take hours to prepare. With the help of our sheet-pan meal-prep chicken (see associated recipe) and some cooked whole grains, you can make these meal-prep bowls in just a few minutes! Keep them in the fridge for an easy dinner on a busy weeknight or for healthy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week.

21of 21

Cuban Cauliflower Rice Bowl

View Recipe

21 Healthy Rice Bowls That Are High in Protein (21)

In this riff on a healthy grain bowl recipe we use cauliflower rice instead of another whole grain like brown rice to cut back on carbs and load up on veggie servings. A simple citrusy mojo sauce drizzled on top gives this easy lunch or dinner a Cuban flair.

21 Healthy Rice Bowls That Are High in Protein (2024)

FAQs

Which rice is high in protein? ›

Brown rice is a whole grain variety of rice that contains several flavonoids and is slightly higher in protein and fiber than white rice.

How healthy are rice bowls? ›

Rice, and especially brown rice, is a healthy grain that's a high source of folate. Topped with your favorite proteins and veggies, rice bowls are a great way to get in your daily vitamins and minerals.

What proteins go well with rice? ›

Now that we have our core rice base, we can choose which proteins to add on. A few example proteins include chicken, eggs, beef or vegan and vegetarian options include: beans, quinoa, tofu and tempeh. If you're a beef lover, try this Mexican seasoned Beef Stir Fry that combines: Carb: Carolina® White Rice.

What goes well in a rice bowl? ›

What Can You Put in a Rice Bowl?
  • Grains: Firstly, you will need a grain base, this can be anything from simple white rice to basmati rice all the way to yellow rice.
  • Vegetables/Fruits: Next up you will want to add in your veggies or fruits. ...
  • Protein: To really complete your recipe, be sure to add in some protein as well.

What is the healthiest rice to eat everyday? ›

4 of the healthiest types of rice
  1. Brown rice. Whole grain rice such as brown rice is less processed and refined than white rice. ...
  2. Black rice. Black rice is sometimes referred to as forbidden rice, as it was reserved for royalty in China in ancient times. ...
  3. Red rice. ...
  4. Wild rice.
Aug 2, 2022

Can you eat rice on a high-protein diet? ›

People on this diet will often choose to reduce their carbohydrate intake, which may involve limiting their consumption of highly processed foods, bread and other baked goods, candy, and white pasta and rice.

What is the best rice for rice bowls? ›

Long-Grain

It's beloved for being light and fluffy, and doesn't clump together. Common examples of long-grain rice are basmati rice and jasmine rice. Use this type of rice to make rice pilaf, a rice bowl, and as the base of a stir-fry.

How many bowls of rice should I eat a day? ›

How many servings of rice can you eat in a day? There is no exact amount of rice that is considered too much, as servings can vary from person to person. The American Heart Association recommends that adults consume six servings of grains per day, which can include rice.

What is the best rice for a diet? ›

Eating whole grains like brown rice has been found to be really good for weight loss, with one study finding that people who regularly ate high-carbohydrate whole grains such as brown or coloured rice had a higher resting metabolism and didn't absorb as many calories during digestion [9].

What with rice makes a complete protein? ›

Rice and beans are a classic pairing that's a source of complete protein. Both brown and white rice are low in lysine but high in methionine. In contrast, beans are high in lysine but low in methionine.

Can you get enough protein from rice? ›

We Recommend

On average, a cup of cooked white rice (or one serving) gives you 4.3 grams of protein and 205 calories, according to the USDA. It's especially high in B vitamins like folate, and you'll reap the benefits of minerals like manganese, selenium, copper and iron.

Which vegetable is high in protein? ›

Among the highest protein vegetables are chickpeas, corn, spinach, artichoke hearts, and edamame. To get all of the amino acids your body needs, aim to eat a variety of foods, such as legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and vegetables throughout the day.

What's the best thing to mix with rice? ›

1. Italian Flavors are Always a Good Idea
  • Pesto sauce.
  • Alfredo sauce.
  • Shredded Parmesan or Mozzarella cheese.
  • Tomatoes.
  • Basil or Italian seasoning mix.
  • Mushrooms.
  • Pepperoncini.
  • Green olives.

Why are rice bowls healthy? ›

Because of their complex carbohydrate nature, rice gives your body the fuel it needs to stay energized throughout the day. Rice fills you up, and at only 100 calories per half cup, it can be a healthy and tasty addition to a healthy weight loss plan.

What to use instead of rice in a rice bowl? ›

Cook a batch of quinoa or farro instead of rice, or use roasted chickpeas or a hard boiled egg instead of tofu. If you don't have all the ingredients to a specific sauce, make a different one!

What grain has the highest protein? ›

Wheat berries have the highest protein content per serving. Spelt wheat berries contain 10.7 grams of protein per cup and Kamut wheat berries contain 9.82 grams of protein per cup. What are the top 5 super grains?

Does jasmine rice have more protein than white rice? ›

Assessing the Health Aspects of White Rice: Nutrition and Potential Risks. A cup of enriched white rice has many of the same nutrients as jasmine rice, with four grams of protein and added thiamin, niacin, folic acid, and iron.

What kind of rice do bodybuilders eat? ›

Informed athletes and lifters recognize the high glycemic value of white rice to provide quick fuel for hard workouts and facilitate muscle recovery.

Does basmati rice have protein? ›

Nutrients Per Serving

1 cup of cooked white basmati rice contains: Calories: 210. Protein: 4 grams. Fat: 0.5 grams.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Lilliana Bartoletti

Last Updated:

Views: 5659

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (73 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Lilliana Bartoletti

Birthday: 1999-11-18

Address: 58866 Tricia Spurs, North Melvinberg, HI 91346-3774

Phone: +50616620367928

Job: Real-Estate Liaison

Hobby: Graffiti, Astronomy, Handball, Magic, Origami, Fashion, Foreign language learning

Introduction: My name is Lilliana Bartoletti, I am a adventurous, pleasant, shiny, beautiful, handsome, zealous, tasty person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.