Four Easy Bowl Meals That Bring Color to Your Plate

Because Good Food Should Look as Good as It Tastes

Click here for my favorite ingredients and more!

Let’s be honest, there’s something incredibly satisfying about eating a meal out of a bowl. It feels casual, comforting, and just a little more fun. Whether I’m eating at my desk mid-workday, curled up on the couch with Rio, or plating up something nice for Ty and I after a busy day, bowl meals are my go-to.

These four easy combos are my current rotation, colorful, packed with flavor, and most importantly, effortless.

Prepping the Base

One of the things that makes these bowls such a staple in my kitchen is how easy they are to throw together when I’ve prepped a few things ahead of time. I like to batch-cook a couple of base ingredients, usually a big pot of rice (sometimes two types if I’m feeling fancy) and a few proteins like seasoned ground meat or grilled chicken.

Once those are ready, the rest is all about mixing and matching throughout the week. It’s low-stress, flexible, and gives me a way to eat something different each day without starting from scratch. Plus, it makes it way easier to eat colorful, balanced meals when the hardest parts are already done.

I’ve officially fallen in love with my Instant Pot when it comes to making rice. It’s hands-off, fast, and comes out perfect every time. A stovetop method works just as well, though! I’ll usually make a big batch of rice at the start of the week and store it in the fridge.

Pro tip: warm it up with a splash of water or broth before serving to bring it back to life.

Option 1: Cook it in Bone Broth

If you want to instantly level up your rice, swap water for bone broth. It adds a rich, savory flavor and a little extra protein.

This version pairs well with just about any bowl, especially the burger or taco-inspired ones. I use chicken bone broth most often, but beef or veggie works too. Just make sure to add a pinch of salt if your broth is low-sodium.

Option 2: Use Coconut Milk

For something a little creamier and slightly sweet, try cooking your rice in coconut milk (full-fat from a can works best).

This method gives your rice a velvety texture and subtle tropical flavor, perfect for the Asian-inspired bowl. I usually do a mix of coconut milk and water so it’s not too heavy, and add a pinch of salt.

Prepping the Protein

Taco Bowl Meat

I cook ground meat (usually elk or moose, but beef or turkey works just as well!) with Kinder’s Taco Blend seasoning. Let it brown first, then add the seasoning.

Make your own seasoning (per 1 lb meat):

• 1 tbsp chili powder

• 1 tsp cumin

• 1 tsp paprika

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp onion powder

• ¼ tsp oregano

• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp black pepper

Greek Bowl Chicken

I use boneless skinless chicken breasts, tossed with olive oil and Kinder’s Greek seasoning. Grill, roast, or pan-sear. Whatever you have time for.

(I prep 4 breasts at a time in the Instant Pot! I cook them whole and then cube the chicken when I add it to my bowl. This helps retain moisture and flavor.) 8-10min on high

Make your own seasoning (per 1 lb chicken):

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• 1 tsp dried thyme

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp onion powder

• ½ tsp dried dill

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• ¼ tsp paprika

• Juice of ½ lemon (added when cooking or marinating)

Japanese BBQ Bowl Meat

Ground meat is my go-to here too. I cook it with Kinder’s Japanese BBQ seasoning until browned and caramelized. The blend already has a sweet-savory kick, so you don’t need much else.

Make your own seasoning (per 1lb)

• 1 tbsp brown sugar (or coconut sugar)

• 2 tsp soy sauce powder (or substitute with ½ tsp salt if you don’t have it)

• 1½ tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp ground ginger

• 1 tsp sesame seeds

• ½ tsp smoked paprika

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• Optional: ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes for heat

• Optional: a tiny pinch of cinnamon for warmth

Burger Bowl Meat

For this one, I use ground elk, moose or venison, however beef or turkey works just as well! Cook it like you would taco meat, browned, slightly crispy, and full of flavor. Season it with Kinder’s Butcher Burger Blend or make your own!

Homemade Burger Seasoning (per 1 lb of meat)

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp onion powder

• ½ tsp smoked paprika

• ¼ tsp brown sugar (adds that subtle caramelized flavor)

• Optional: ¼ tsp mustard powder

• Optional: pinch of cayenne or chili powder for a little kick

Once the bases and proteins are prepped, everything else just comes together. I make 3–4 cups of rice, cook four chicken breasts for the Greek bowls, and brown 3 pounds of ground meat, one each for taco, Japanese BBQ, and burger bowls.

A little prep goes a long way in making colorful, satisfying meals all week long.

Click here for my favorite ingredients and more!

The Fun Part: The Toppings

This is where the bowls really come to life. Once the base and protein are ready, it’s all about layering in color, texture, and flavor.

These are the combos I keep coming back to, but the beauty of bowl meals is that you can mix, match, and make them your own.

1. Burger Bowl

A backyard cookout…in bowl form.

Base: Rice (bone broth rice is ideal!)
Protein: Ground meat seasoned Kinder’s Burger Blend

Toppings:

• Grape tomatoes

• Shredded Colby Jack cheese

• Kinder’s burger sauce (or your favorite special sauce)

• Spicy, tangy pickles

This one hits every comfort food craving, but it’s still quick and totally weeknight-friendly. It’s everything I love about a classic burger, just layered in a way that feels a little more intentional (and definitely less messy).

Make your own sauce!

• ½ cup mayo

• 2 tbsp ketchup

• 1 tbsp mustard

• 1 tbsp relish or diced pickles

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• Dash of paprika, salt & pepper

2. Greek-Style Bowl

Bright, herby, and packed with Mediterranean flavor.

Base: Rice
Protein: Chicken seasoned with Kinder’s Greek blend

Toppings:

• Kalamata olives

• Diced cucumbers

• Cherry tomatoes

Make your own Tzatziki!

• ½ cup Greek yogurt

• ¼ cup grated cucumber (squeeze out liquid)

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• Juice of ½ lemon

• 1 tsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill (or ½ tsp dried)

• Salt & pepper to taste

Stir together and chill, fresh, tangy, and perfect for your Greek bowl!

3. Taco Bowl

Big flavor, zero fuss.

Base: Rice (bone broth rice works great!)
Protein: Ground meat with taco seasoning

Toppings:

• Pinto or black beans

• Hominy (warmed with salt, cayenne pepper, and smoked paprika)

• 1 can of beans + 1 can of hominy + 1 can of Rotel (combine for a hearty mix)

• Shredded cheese

• Plain Greek yogurt (as a sour cream swap and more protein!)

• Sliced avocado or guacamole mix

• Your choice of Salsa

Cozy, colorful, and ridiculously easy to throw together, even on the busiest nights.

4. Asian-Inspired Bowl

My personal fave…a little sweet, a little spicy, and seriously satisfying.

Base: Jasmine rice (try coconut rice!)
Protein: Ground meat

Seasoning (per 1 lb meat):

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp brown sugar or honey

• 1 tsp sesame oil

• 1 tsp rice vinegar

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• ½ tsp ground ginger

• Optional: red pepper flakes for heat

  Toppings:

  • Sriracha mayo

  • Diced cucumber

  • Shredded carrots or carrot ribbons

  • Kimchi

  • Sesame seeds

    Extra toppings Ideas!

  • Fried egg (the best part!) don’t have a picture yet!*

  • Pickled sushi ginger

  Sweet, savory, and umami-packed… it’s takeout vibes but better.

Four bowls, endless options.
I hope these combos inspire you to batch-prep a few basics, play with flavor, and make your weeknight meals feel a little more fun.

Because food should always be colorful.

Click here for my favorite ingredients and more!