Aesthetically plated and picture-perfect meals have become a trend of the past as viral slop bowl meals take over. Known for its convenience, customization, and protein packed ingredients, these bowls have become the perfect meal. With any leftover rice, protein, or vegetable paired with a generous drizzle of sauce, slop bowls prioritize simplicity over appearance.
So what exactly is a slop bowl? This trend is highly customizable so you can decide to either throw leftovers into a bowl or cook up something new. To start with a base, most slop bowls use rice or potatoes because they’re fulfilling and versatile. Both are affordable options and pair well with any ingredients you want to add on top. Then comes the meat and protein. Whether it’s ground beef, chicken, or turkey, any seasoned protein works as a second layer in these bowls. For anyone vegan, vegetarian, or just looking to stay away from meat, tofu, beans, or eggs are great substitutions and full of protein.
After the base and protein is added, it’s time to throw in a vegetable or two. This can be broccoli, beans, peppers, or anything you have available at home. Vegetables add the color, nutrients, and texture to the bowl. To tie everything together, add a drizzle of sauce or sprinkle of cheese. The sauce adds the most customization, making the bowl into whatever flavor you want it to be. From sriracha to yum yum sauce, the sauce is the star of the show. There is no set recipe for a slop bowl, don’t be afraid to mix up any combination of veggie, sauce, and protein.
This meal is perfect for college students, anyone on a budget, or beginner cooks. The practicality of the meal makes it easy to combine ingredients until you find what is right for you. After a long day of work or classes, there’s no reason to run to the store for new ingredients when a slop bowl allows you to use what’s in the fridge. This also allows you to use ingredients before they go bad and give use to any sauce that doesn’t get used often.
Creator @Cammakess shows off his ability to make a delicious meal with just ingredients he finds in his fridge. He throws together his leftover rice and ground beef from a few nights before as the base. He then adds arugula, cilantro, and lime as a vegetable. To top it off, he adds cheese, olives and his very own sauce. To make the sauce, he combines Greek yogurt, salsa, hot pepper juice, and salt, showing that every step of this meal is completely customizable.
If you’re someone who enjoys cooking, but still wants to participate in the slop bowl trend, creator @cj.olivolo shows how you can still cook something fresh. In one of his viral videos, CJ adds crispy potatoes, caramelized peppers and onions, and seasoned chicken thighs to his bowl. Instead of just throwing in leftovers, he added fresh cooked ingredients for a similar slop style bowl. Or if you’re someone who wants something more refreshing and a little healthier you can follow @amira_rajab for the most perfect post-workout bowl.
From taco to Big Mac inspired bowls, the easy customization, convenience, and practicality of these bowls make it a new go-to. Instead of going to the store for a last minute meal, grab whatever you can find in your fridge and throw together a flavorful slop bowl. With its accessibility and budget-friendly qualities, this trend is here to stay and give a new meaning to easy meals.