This mediterranean rice bowl is one of my favorite quick and easy meal prep recipes. Feel free to swap out ingredients and customize the bowl as you see fit using my guide below.
Table of Contents
What is a Mediterranean Rice Bowl?
A Mediterranean Rice Bowl, a true culinary gem, is the epitome of flavor and convenience mingled together in a delightful dance.
This dish is a vibrant canvas, where the rich, nutty taste of perfectly cooked rice sets the stage for a medley of your favorite ingredients.
Picture tender Mediterranean Chicken Meatballs, creamy homemade Tzatziki dip, and fresh veggies all piled on top of creamy feta rice.
It's like a lively and colorful dinner, with hints of freshness and a drizzle of olive oil to bring everything together.
And the beauty of it?
It's as versatile as a chameleon!
Swap in your favorites, be it roasted red peppers for a smoky twist or artichoke hearts for a touch of elegance.
This Mediterranean Rice Bowl isn't just a meal; it's a choose-your-own-flavor story where each ingredient you add turns the page to a new, exciting meal.
So grab your fork, and let's dive into this whirlpool of tastes, each bite a refreshing, healthy taste of what's to come.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Brown Rice - For convenience, I use Trader Joe's frozen brown rice. It not only tastes great, but the texture is perfect and it's ready in just 3 minutes. If you want to use another base, such as a different rice, quinoa, or even salad greens, go for it!
- Feta Cheese - Feta is the perfect mediterrean cheese but if you don't like it, you could leave it out or swap it for another tangy cheese of your choice.
- Lemon - Fresh lemon juice adds so much flavor without a lot of calories. If you're not into lemon juice, you could add a splash of greek vinaigrette.
- Good Olive Oil - We want a really tasty finishing olive oil to drizzle on the dish. Not only does this aid digestion but it really makes the dish feel like it's from the Mediterranean.
- Greek Seasoning - If you don't have greek seasoning, you can use another all purpose seasoning or just use a little bit of salt, pepper, garlic powder and oregano.
- Mediterranean Chicken Meatballs - This is my go-to -protein of choice for this delicious mediterrean rice bowl. If you want to use grilled chicken, or another tasty protein like lamb or falafel, feel free to swap it.
- Tzatziki - If you don't want to make my homemade tzatziki sauce from scratch, you don't have to! Store bought is totally fine. And if you don't like tzatziki, try using either more hummus or a mix of toum (garlic sauce) or another tahini based sauce.
- Hummus - I'm using storebought beet hummus but you could leave it our or make your own if you'd like.
- Toppings - I'm using a mix of Cucumber, Tomato, Bell Peppers, Olives, Cherry Tomatoes, Chickpeas, and fresh Dill. These are totally customizable so feel free to keep what you love and ditch what you don't like.
How to make it
Making these Mediterranean Rice Bowl is so easy especially if you're trying to meal prep a delicious and healthy lunch or dinner.
To start off, I recommend preparing the mediterranean chicken meatballs according to my recipe.
As they’re cooking, then it'll be time to prepare the tzatziki (using this recipe) unless you’re using store-bought.
Now prepare the rice according to the directions. While it’s hot add it to a large mixing bowl and add crumbled feta, lemon juice, olive oil and greek seasoning and toss.
Then once all the other added ingredients are prepped and chopped, it’s time to build the bowls.
If you're not eating it right away, I recommend keeping the hot ingredients (rice and meatballs) seperate from the fresh ingredients (tzatziki, hummus and fresh veggie toppings.
When it’s time to serve, portion out the rice and the cooked meatballs evenly across 4 containers or bowls.
Once you’re ready to serve them, heat the rice and meatballs up in the microwave then top with tzatziki, hummus and the remaining toppings.
What goes with a Mediterranean Rice Bowl?
These mediterranean rice bowl goes perfectly with my mediterranean chicken meatballs and homemade tzatziki sauce!
You could also add my mediterranean cauliflower salad, this roasted broccoli with tahini, this shaved carrot salad, or even my brown sugar roasted butternut squash.
If you want to switch it up and use different sauces, try my cilantro garlic sauce, this baja chipotle sauce or even this hot honey sauce.
Frequently asked questions
Why are rice bowls good?
Rice bowls are the ultimate culinary hug, a cozy and comforting blend of flavors and textures that come together perfectly. They not only are they customizable, but they offer a nourishing meal that's as soul-satisfying as it is delicious. They're like a warm embrace from your kitchen, effortlessly bringing together wholesome ingredients for a feast that delights the senses and nourishes the soul.
Is eating rice bowls healthy?
Diving into a rice bowl is like giving your body a high-five with nutrition – these bowls are a powerhouse of health, packed with a balance of grains, proteins, and veggies that dance together in a delicious concoction of wellness. It's like spooning up a rainbow of vitality, where every bite is a step towards a happier, healthier you.
Where do rice bowls originate from?
Rice bowls, those cozy culinary cuddles, have their roots nestled in the rich soils of diverse Asian cuisines. They've been cradling flavors and nourishing souls for centuries. It's like each grain of rice tells a story, a tale of tradition and comfort, passed down through generations from bustling street markets to your very own kitchen.
Save this recipe for later
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Recipe
Mediterranean Rice Bowl
Ingredients
- 4 cups Brown Rice I use Trader Joe’s frozen brown rice for convenience
- 1 6 oz container Feta Cheese crumbled
- ½ large Lemon juiced
- 1 tablespoon Finishing Olive Oil
- ½ teaspoon Greek Seasoning
- 1 recipe Mediterranean Chicken Meatballs
- 1 recipe Tzatziki Sauce or store bought for ease
- 1 cup Hummus
- 1 cup Cucumber roughly chopped
- 1 cup Tomato roughly chopped
- 1 cup Bell Peppers roughly chopped
- 1 cup Olives I’m using castelvetrano
- 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes halved
- 1 cup Chickpeas rinsed and drained
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Dill for garnish
Instructions
- First, you’ll want to prepare the mediterranean chicken meatballs according to my recipe.
- As they’re cooking, prepare the tzatziki sauce unless you’re using store-bought.
- Then prepare the rice according to the directions. While it’s hot add it to a large mixing bowl and add crumbled feta, lemon juice, olive oil and greek seasoning and toss.
- Then once all the other added ingredients are prepped and chopped, it’s time to build the bowls. Portion out the rice and meatballs into four containers and then keep the fresh ingredients in separate containers to keep them fresh and crispy. Place everything in the fridge until you're ready to serve
- Once you’re ready to serve them, heat the rice and meatballs up either in the micorwave for 2 minutes or in the stove covered with foil for 20 minutes at 350F degrees. Once hot, then top with tzatziki, hummus and the remaining toppings and enjoy!.
Kelsey says
These were perfection! I did use turkey instead of chicken as you said it was a good sub and it’s what I had. No notes! We had them with naan, tzatziki, and lemon orzo. I love all the suggestions for how these can be served and will try them in all different ways!