15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (2024)

What is a buddha bowl? A buddha bowl is a whole bunch ofgood stuff in a bowl topped with more good stuff. Today we are talking whole grains, lean proteins, tons of veggies, nuts, seeds, and dressings! Some people call buddha bowls, meal prep bowls. Whatever you call it, we are going to break it all down so you can make the best meal prep bowl for your week!

15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (1)

Table of Contents

All About Buddha Bowls

Bowls bowls bowls, I’m all about that bowl. Especially…buddha bowls! Why? Bowls = meal prep at its finest. If you haven’t jumped on the meal prep bowls bandwagon, get on it! Meal prep bowls will make your life so much easier during the week and it will help fuel healthy habits.

Today, we are breaking down the anatomy of a buddha bowl and we are sharing recipes to inspire you to start making meal prep bowls in your own kitchen! One way to shake up your Buddha bowl is with spices. Simply Organicand Penzysare my go-to spice brands for adding amazing flavor to anything that I make. They’ve got literally every spice under the planet, plus some awesome blends that I use daily.

Really the main goal of a buddha bowl recipe is to eat as many colors and nutrient dense foods as possible. No two buddha bowls have to be the same, so tailor your Buddha bowl to your taste preferences and get creative! Words of wisdom- when in doubt, if it’s a whole food, add it to your bowl. Below I’ve laid out some of my favorite Buddha bowl add-ins by category!

15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (2)

Anatomy of a Buddha Bowl

What is a buddhabowl? My classic vegan buddhabowl recipe includes a whole grain, lean protein, tons of vegetables, nuts, seeds, and a dressing of your choice.

Whole Grains

Add your favorite whole grain to your buddha bowl. I think of it as the ‘base’ to my meal prep bowl. My go-to grain is always quinoa because it is a complete protein and it is ready in minutes! However, I have gotten out of my comfort zone recently and tried new grains like farro in this Roasted Butternut Squash Kale Salad with Farro. It’s pretty dang good! Now, I’ve listed out some of my favorite whole grains below!

Lean Protein

Think more about high protein and less about calorie count! Classic buddha bowls are vegan buddha bowl recipes (plant-based), but you always have the option to add in some animal protein to your buddha bowl recipe if you would like. Here are some protein options for a vegan buddha bowl or a meal prep bowl!

Vegetables

Vegetables are one of my favorites parts of a buddha bowl! Why? Because the options are endless. You can use any veggie that is left over in your fridge or decide on what direction you’re going to take your Buddha bowl based on what veggie you choose! In my opinion, you can’t go wrong with roasted sweet potatoes. Check out our post on how to roast sweet potatoes for a quick way to roast your taters!

Another easy way to add vegetables to your buddha bowl is to prepare a salad and divide it up between your meal prep bowl for the week! Try adding this Massaged Kale and Fennel Salador this Thai Chili Corn Salad.You can’t go wrong with some massaged kale, either.

  • Brussels Sprouts
  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Carmelized Onions
  • Butternut Squash
  • ANY OTHER VEGGIE

Nuts/Seeds/Dressing

Don’t forget to add crunch and more flavor to your buddha bowl with nuts, seeds, and dressing! I love to add roasted pecans or pumpkin seeds to my salad for extra crunch and fiber. Any nut or seed will do! As for dressing, I love a classic green goddess dressing. Sometimes I’ll even skip the dressing and use a dollop of hummus. It makes my buddha bowl creamy and delicious! Guys, the sky is the limit!

  • raw nuts (cashews, walnuts, almonds, pistachios, etc.)
  • seeds (sunflower seeds, pepitas, hemp seeds, etc.)
  • dressing:(vinegar-based, avocado-based, olive oil)
  • Hummus

Now that you know the ins and outs of what’s in a buddha bowl, I’m going to share a basic vegan buddhabowl recipe for you to sink your teeth into. This recipe is 100% plant based and a great starter buddha bowl recipe for you to add to.

Healthy Meal Prep Bowl Recipes

  • Meal Prep Vegetarian Kung Pao Quinoa Bowls
  • Grilled BBQ Chicken Bowls
  • Sheet Pan Meal Prep Tofu Quinoa Burrito Bowls
  • Slow Cooker Carnitas Burrito Bowls
  • Vegetarian Meal Prep Roasted Brussels Sprouts Polenta Bowls
  • Healthy Thai Coconut Quinoa Bowls
  • Cilantro Lime Shrimp Bowls
  • Black Bean Breakfast Bowls
  • Instant Pot Moroccan Chicken Bowls
  • Sweet Potato Vegan Buddha Bowl Recipe
  • Team Fit Foodie’s Go To Meal Prep Bowl
  • Butternut Squash Buddha Bowl
  • Copy Cat Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl Recipe
  • Pesto Chicken Meal Prep Recipe

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5 from 4 votes

Basic Vegan Buddha Bowl Recipe

This is our basic vegan buddha bowl recipe. It's made with quinoa, roasted sweet potato, garbanzo beans, massaged kale, bean sprouts, and green goddess dressing. Get creative with your Buddhabowl and use whatever grain and protein you desire!

Prep:30 minutes minutes

Cook:45 minutes minutes

Total:1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Fat

Carbs 87

Protein 22

Yield: 1

Print Rate

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cooked quinoa
  • 1/2 cup roasted sweet potato
  • 1/4 cup garbanzo beans
  • 1 cup massaged kale*
  • a handful of bean sprouts
  • 1 fresh radish sliced
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
  • 1 tablespoon vegan dressing here's my fav green goddess dressing

Instructions

  • Place all ingredients into a bowl and dig in!

Tips & Notes

  • For 1 cup of massaged kale, you'll need about 2 cups of kale, .5 tablespoons olive oil, and a pinch of salt. Massage until kale is shiny and more wilty looking.

Watch It

Nutrition facts

Calories: 581kcal Carbohydrates: 87g Protein: 22g Fiber: 16g Sugar: 14g

Author: Lee Funke

Similar recipes:

  • Butternut Squash Buddha Bowls

  • Mediterranean Vegan Buddha Bowl Recipe

  • Sweet Potato Vegan Buddha Bowl Recipe

  • Meal-Prep Vegetarian Kung Pao Quinoa Bowls + 5 more bowl recipes!

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15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What are the 5 components of a buddha bowl? ›

In general, they're made up of five key components:
  • Whole grains.
  • Veggies.
  • Protein.
  • Dressing.
  • "Sprinkles," such as nuts, seeds, herbs or sprouts.
Jul 21, 2023

How healthy is a buddha bowl? ›

Buddha bowls are a great example of the 'Healthy Eating Plate' model developed at Harvard, Debenham adds. Half the plate (or in this case, bowl) is made up of vegetables, a quarter carbohydrates and a quarter protein, making it a healthy, balanced meal.

What is the difference between a buddha bowl and a nourish bowl? ›

Unlike a pasta dish or a salad where all the ingredients are mixed, the items in a buddha bowl remain independent separate. Buddha bowls are similar to another type of dish called nourish bowls – however, the main difference is nourish bowls can include animal protein.

What are those healthy bowls called? ›

Whether you call them Buddha bowls, grain bowls, meal prep bowls or just veggie bowls, these vegetarian dishes served in a single bowl or a high-rimmed plate, are the perfect way to pack a lot of goodness into one meal.

Are Buddha bowls healthy to eat every day? ›

Buddha bowls are filling, healthy and fun meals that pack most of the nutrients your body needs. Preparing Buddha bowls can be a relaxing activity with a very rewarding payoff: you get a delicious and balanced meal that will enrich your day, body and soul, overall health and your Instagram/Pinterest feed.

What is the Golden bowl Buddhism? ›

When he finished he took the golden bowl and threw it in the river, saying, "If I am to succeed in becoming a Buddha today, let this bowl go upstream, but if not, let it go downstream." The golden bowl went upstream, all the while keeping in the middle of the river.

What ethnicity is a buddha bowl? ›

The custom still exists among some Buddhist monks in Southeast Asia, and the collaborative nature of Buddha's bowl has made its way into Western menus.

What makes a buddha bowl a buddha bowl? ›

Buddha bowl is a catchy name for a simple concept: a one-dish meal that's made by piling a healthy combination of whole grains, vegetables, legumes, and a luscious sauce in a large, single-serving bowl.

What is Buddha sauce made of? ›

Add tahini paste, lemon juice, maple syrup, sesame oil and salt in a cup of a food processor or blender and blend until smooth, gradually adding water. Use the sauce for Buddha bowls, salads, falafel and more. Enjoy!

What's in a wellness bowl? ›

A nourish bowl is a well-balanced, healthy meal containing a variety of nutrient dense ingredients, including vegetables, grains, healthy fats, quality proteins and carbohydrates. They are also known as buddha bowls, macro bowls, bliss bowls, power bowls, poke bowls, wellness bowls etc.

What is a monk bowl? ›

An alms bowl is a round, oval-shaped eating vessel used by monastics, with a flat bottom and a narrowed opening with which they receive offerings from human and heavenly beings. Its composition and size is described in the monastic rules, so that it holds the appropriate amount of food for the stomach.

Why have buddha bowls become so popular? ›

With veggies, whole grains, legumes, rice and a dressing or two in a round bowl, it imparts flavour and nutrition. A popular proverb goes: If you combine good flavours, food turns into an orchestra. And that can't hold more true than for a Buddha Bowl.

What is a Japanese bowl? ›

Bowl is called "Wan" or "Owan" in Japan, and refers to a category of tableware that is deep in depth. In particular, Wan is designed to be lightweight because it is meant to be lifted with one hand, whereas a bowl that is not lifted but left on the table is called “Hachi”.

Do Buddhists eat Buddha bowls? ›

"Buddhist monks and nuns have been eating this way for over two thousand years." And while there's no specific mention of the trendy Buddha Bowl in Zigmond and Cottrell's book, the Buddha did eat from a bowl, which may have led to today's obsession with—or, rather, appropriation of—the term.

What does a buddha bowl contain? ›

Energy-Boosting Buddha Bowl

This buddha bowl is packed with yummy grains, like lentils and quinoa, as well as bright-colored mix-ins, like Brussels sprouts, beets, and butternut squash. Top it off with a delicious dressing, made of tahini, maple syrup, apple cider, and orange juice, and voila!

What is a buddha bowl made of? ›

It's made with whole grains, roasted vegetables, falafel, and topped with a delicious Jalapeño Ranch dressing. Want to try more “bowl” recipes?

What is the formula for grain bowls? ›

My formula for simple and satisfying grain bowls includes the following: ½ – ⅔ cup grains. ½ cup green leafy vegetables. ½ – ⅔ cup vegetables (and fruits)

What is the serving size for a buddha bowl? ›

Whether your protein is animal-based or vegetarian, women should aim for a 3-ounce serving (which is about the size of a deck of cards) and men, a 6-ounce serving. Grains, starches and legumes: Quinoa, chickpeas, edamame, corn and squash are all healthy sources of carbohydrates commonly used in Buddha bowls.

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