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:

  • Mediterranean Vegan Buddha Bowl Recipe

  • Sweet Potato Vegan Buddha Bowl Recipe

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

  • Butternut Squash Buddha Bowls

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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? ›

Buddha bowls are similar to another type of dish called nourish bowls – however, the main difference is nourish bowls can include animal protein. Buddha bowls are also known as grain bowls, hippie bowls, macro bowls or power bowls.

What are those healthy bowls called? ›

No matter what they're called—Buddha bowls, macro bowls, grain bowls, meal salads—we're crazy about meals in a bowl! They're colourful, comforting and the perfect way to turn our leftovers into a healthy feast.

What makes it a Buddha Bowl? ›

A Buddha bowl is a vegetarian meal, served on a single bowl or high-rimmed plate, which consists of small portions of several foods, served cold. These may include whole grains such as quinoa or brown rice, plant proteins such as chickpeas or tofu, and vegetables.

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)

How big should a buddha bowl be? ›

Any bowl that will comfortably fit in one hand will suffice. There is no 'perfect' size. If you get tangled up in the abstract quest of finding the perfect-sized buddha bowl, you'll make yourself crazy; it's a needless attachment.

What do you eat with a buddha bowl? ›

I love finishing a buddha bowl with peanut sauce, lemon vinaigrette, green goddess dressing, cilantro lime dressing, hummus, or drizzles of sesame oil and soy sauce or tamari. Try a different pickle.

How do you make a good bowl? ›

Start with leafy green vegetables or whatever plant-based layer you like, add your favorite meat or meat substitute, and then pile on more layers – whether more veggies, fruits, good fats or even grains. Check out our “Five Bowl Basics,” which you can use as a blueprint for developing your own system.

What is another name for a Buddha Bowl? ›

(And, because these things have more nicknames than Puff Daddy, you don't even have to call them Buddha Bowls; they're also known as grain bowls, hippie bowls, macro bowls, and power bowls.) According to Dan Zigmond, a Zen priest and the author of Buddha's Diet, the name Buddha Bowl might have a very literal origin.

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 is a Fiji bowl? ›

Description. A wooden kava or yaqona bowl on six legs, threaded at the front with a rope and shells, and with a brass presentation plaque inside. Bowls for the preparation and drinking of yaqona are particularly valued in Fijian society as a central part of public ritual.

What is a Zen bowl? ›

To do this we will be working with what is referred to as a “Zen bowl”- a small dish or lid on which a single reward (or small handful of rewards) is placed. The dogs will get started on being able to focus on you or “work” and willingly leave their reward of food (or a toy) they know they can grab at any time!

Can Buddha bowls have meat? ›

Can a Buddha bowl have meat? Yes you can but just don't call it a Buddha bowl!. Buddhism is against the killing of any sentient being, and rearing any for meat and selling of meat. If you can have meat in your bowl without knowingly supporting any if these actions…

How big should a Buddha Bowl be? ›

Any bowl that will comfortably fit in one hand will suffice. There is no 'perfect' size. If you get tangled up in the abstract quest of finding the perfect-sized buddha bowl, you'll make yourself crazy; it's a needless attachment.

What is the legend of The Buddha bowl? ›

"Buddha woke up before dawn every morning and carried his bowl through the roads or paths wherever he was staying. Local people would place food in the bowl as a donation, and at the end he would eat whatever he had been given," explains Zigmond.

What is the Golden bowl Buddhism? ›

The Golden Bowl

After giving up extreme asceticism prior to his enlightenment, the would-be Buddha then accepted a meal of rice pudding in a golden bowl from a village girl named Sujata.

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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