Chicken
$0.91per plate
Prep
10 min
Rice and Beans · Rice Bowls
Build-Your-Own Rice Bowls
A rice bowl is less a recipe than a formula, and that is exactly why it is so cheap. Start with a big pot of rice, add whatever protein is cheapest that week, pile on a vegetable, and finish with a simple sauce. This version uses black beans and a soft egg to keep it under a dollar a plate, but the whole point is that you swap in leftover chicken, browned beef, or a can of tuna depending on what you have. It is the most flexible cheap dinner there is.
$0.77per plate
Estimated recipe total
$3.08 · serves 4
Cook
15 min
Total
25 min
Serves
4
1 How to make it
1
Cook the rice base
Cook the rice to package directions. This is the foundation of every bowl, so make plenty; leftover rice is never wasted.
2
Warm the protein and vegetables
While the rice cooks, warm the drained black beans with a pinch of the seasoning, and saute the frozen vegetables in the oil until hot and a little charred.
3
Fry the eggs
Fry the eggs to your liking; a soft yolk makes a free sauce when it breaks over the warm rice. Or scramble them if you prefer.
4
Build the bowls
Scoop rice into each bowl, top with beans, vegetables, and an egg, and finish with soy sauce and green onions. Everyone builds their own, which is why kids eat it.
2 Cheaper ingredient swaps
- Any cheap protein. Leftover shredded chicken, browned ground beef, a can of tuna, or tofu all work. Use whatever is cheapest or already cooked.
- Any vegetable. Fresh or frozen, whatever is on sale. Broccoli, peas, carrots, or cabbage all fit the bowl.
- Brown rice or another grain. Brown rice, quinoa, or even leftover pasta can be the base. The formula does not care.
- A quick sauce. Mix soy sauce with a little mayo or hot sauce for a creamy drizzle, or use teriyaki, for pennies.
3 Budget tips
- The rice base is nearly free per serving, so the bowl costs whatever the cheapest protein of the week costs.
- Build bowls around planned leftovers: cook extra rice and chicken earlier in the week and bowls come together in minutes.
- Frozen vegetables are cheaper than fresh, keep for months, and mean zero waste.
- A soft fried egg is one of the cheapest proteins and its yolk doubles as a free sauce.
4 Storage, freezing & reheating
Fridge
Store the components separately in airtight containers for up to 4 days so nothing goes soggy. Cook fresh eggs to order.
Freezer
Cooked rice and beans freeze well for up to 3 months. Freeze rice flat in bags for the fastest thawing.
Reheating
Reheat rice with a splash of water in the microwave to steam it back to fluffy. Warm the beans and vegetables in a pan and add a fresh egg.
5 Nutrition (per serving)
Calories
340
Protein
13g
Fat
8g
Carbs
54g
Estimates per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not a substitute for medical advice.
6 Frequently asked questions
What protein is cheapest for rice bowls?
Eggs and canned beans are the cheapest, followed by whatever meat is on sale that week. Leftover shredded chicken or browned ground beef are great because the cost is already spread across another meal.
How do I keep rice bowls from getting boring?
Change one thing each time: the protein, the vegetable, or the sauce. The same rice base becomes a taco bowl, a teriyaki bowl, or a fried-egg bowl depending on what you top it with.
Can I meal prep rice bowls?
Yes. Store the rice, protein, and vegetables in separate containers so they stay fresh, then assemble and reheat at mealtime. Add any egg or fresh sauce just before eating.
How is $0.77 a bowl calculated?
The whole formula runs about $3.08 for four bowls. Rice is nearly free per serving, so a bowl costs about whatever the cheapest protein of the week does.
Helpful Tools for This Recipe
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- Chef's knife. One sharp chef's knife handles almost all the chopping, from onions to chicken, and replaces a drawer of gadgets. Best for all-purpose prep in essentially every recipe on the site.
- Cutting board. A large, stable cutting board makes prep faster and safer, which matters when you cook most nights. Best for everyday chopping of onion, garlic, and vegetables across nearly every recipe.
- Mixing bowls set. A set of nesting bowls handles prep, mixing, and marinades without dirtying every dish in the house. Best for mixing meatball and patty mixtures, tossing ingredients, and holding prepped components.
- Measuring cups and spoons set. A basic set of measuring cups and spoons keeps amounts consistent, which keeps budget recipes reliable. Best for rice, liquids, and any recipe where the ratio matters.
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