These 25 Healthy and Easy Buddha Bowl Recipes are filled with fresh vegetables, protein, and deliciously paired sauces or dressings! From Asian-inspired to breakfast-ready, these buddha bowls have the perfect meal prep ideas for spring!

buddha bowl
Table of contents show

Why You’ll Love these Buddha Bowl Recipes

Buddha bowls are delicious and healthy to eat. They’re a fantastic way to get in whole grains, lean protein, fresh veggies and top it off with a favourite dressing of your choosing! They’re something I fell in love with when I travelled to Bali and are perfect for a well-balanced diet.

Buddha bowls are:

  • Easy to make
  • Great for meal prep
  • Store well in the fridge
  • Great source of plant-based protein
  • Vegetarian
  • Vegan
  • Gluten-free (usually)
  • High in Protein
  • High in Fibre
  • Fun to make

What is a Buddha Bowl?

A buddha bowl is essentially a simple, one-bowl meal. Usually, it’s vegetarian or vegan (but can also include animal proteins) that include rice or quinoa, legumes, fresh, vibrant veggies and plant proteins. You can also top them with your favourite nuts or seeds and dressing of your choosing!

Where are Buddha Bowls from?

It’s hard to pinpoint the exact origin of the buddha bowl. Many cultures have their version of a bowl of grains mixed with vegetables and protein. In Hawaii they have poke bowls, in Korea they have bibimbap and in Vietnam, they have Bun bowls.

Buddha bowls are also very popular in Bali, so it’s likely they originated in Asia.

Are buddha bowls served hot or cold?

Your buddha bowl can be hot or cold, it’s completely up to you. That’s what is so great about these bowls, they’re creative and can be topped with hot or cold items. The recipes below showcase both hot and cold recipes.

Are buddha bowls healthy?

A Buddha bowl is a great example of a healthy, balanced meal. With the majority of the bowl made of up fresh veggies, and the rest a healthy mix of carbohydrates and protein, it’s a great meal that you can feel good about.

What’s the Difference between a Poke Bowl & a Buddha Bowl?

A poke bowl is a Hawaiin dish made of raw fish served over rice with some vegetables and toppings. The word “Poke” is Japanese for “cut into pieces,” referring to the fish that is cut into cubes for the bowls.

A buddha bowl is made of any type of grain with vegetables and a variety of toppings and protein. Buddha Bowls are generally vegetarian or vegan.

Now let’s quickly chat about the different healthy choices you can add to your bowls and where you should start when building your bowl!

Vegan Buddha Bowl Ingredients

Whole grains:

  • Quinoa
  • Barley
  • Brown rice
  • Wild rice
  • Bulgar
  • Millet
  • Farro

These are just to name a few! Starting with a whole grain base helps keep you full for hours! It’s a nice way to start and pile on the protein and veggies next.

Protein:

  • Chickpeas
  • Tofu
  • Tempeh
  • Seitan
  • Black beans
  • Lima beans

Vegetables:

When it comes to vegetables, the options are quite endless. I usually say to pick your favourite veggies and use those in your buddha bowl. If you’re looking for some ideas for your own, here are a few staples that I love

  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Onions (pickled onions are great here too!)
  • Kale
  • Sprouts (alfalfa, radish sprouts…etc.)
  • Brussel sprouts
  • Avocado (technically a fruit, I know 😉 )

You really can’t go wrong with this step. Put what you love in your buddha bowl!

Nuts and seeds:

Now is the time to add crunch and additional flavour to your buddha bowl with your favourite nuts, seeds. Here are some great options.

  • Almonds
  • Walnuts
  • Cashews
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Pepitas
  • Hemp seeds
  • Chia seeds

Dressing & Sauce

Top off your buddha bowl with some dressing or sauce for flavour. You can use a store-bought dressing/sauce or homemade.

How to Make a Buddha Bowl

Buddha bowls are easy to make and can be easily customized with a variety of ingredients.

  1. Start by layering the grains at the bottom of the bowl.
  2. Next, you’ll want to layer your vegetables and protein in small piles on top of the grains. While you can just add everything mixed up on top, buddha bowls are generally served to look beautiful before you eat them with each ingredient added in small piles.
  3. Next, you’ll top your buddha bowl off with any type of dressing or sauce you love.
  4. We saved the best part of last. Now that you made a beautiful buddha bowl, it’s time to mix it all up before digging in.

25 Healthy Buddha Bowl Ideas with Recipes

The genius of food bloggers never ceases to amaze me. Particularly when Buddha bowls are involved!

Each of these 25 Buddha bowl recipes is so uniquely and wonderfully made, loaded with healthy ingredients and satisfying flavours. Whether you’re on the hunt for a dinner recipe or need inspiration for a fridge clean-out, one of these recipes is sure to leave you inspired!

Feast with your eyes on these beautiful bowls, and check out the recipes that sound the best. Comment below, and tell us which Buddha bowl recipes made your mouth water!

1. Nourishing Buddha Bowl with Maple Roasted Chickpeas

nourishing buddha bowl

This Nourishing Buddha bowl with Maple Roasted Chickpeas makes the perfect wholesome plant-based meal. Loaded with whole grains, vegetables, and crispy chickpeas, you’ll love this bowl!

2. Vegan Poke Bowls

A vegan poke bowl with rice, tofu and veggies in it

These Vegan Poke Bowls make for a healthy, fresh and light dinner. Filled with rice, tofu, and fresh greens like edamame, green apple, and avocados, it’s perfect for when you want something filling and easy to make!

3. Green Goddess Bowl

A green goddess bowl topped with green goddess dressing

This Green Goddess Buddha Bowl is made with a base of farro and is topped with a variety of delicious greens and green goddess dressing. It’s perfect if you’re looking to get in your greens for the day!

4. Vegan Chipotle Burrito Bowls

a vegan burrito bowl with rice and veggies topped with chipotle crema

If you love burritos then you’ll love these Vegan Burrito Bowls that are topped with a chipotle crema! These bowls are made with rice, black beans and sauteéd red bell peppers for all the delicious flavours you’d find in a burrito.

5. Greek Power Bowls

A greek power bowl with chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, olives and cucumber

These easy Greek Power Bowls are full of classic Mediterranean ingredients like cucumbers, chickpeas, and Kalamata olives. Add any grains, veggies, and plant-based protein and you’re good to go!

6. Vegan Poke Bowl

This Vegan Poke Bowl is made with sushi rice, crispy tofu and edamame beans for a delicious Japanese-inspired vegan version of a traditional poke bowl!

7. Easy Chipotle Sofritas

Chipotle sofritas in a bowl with beans, corn and lettuce

Make a burrito bowl in the comfort of your own kitchen, with these Easy Chipotle Sofritas! Keep it budget friendly with brown rice, beans, corn, fresh crunchy greens and chipotle mayo!

8. Rainbow Nourishment Bowls with Maple Tahini Dressing

A rainbow buddha bowl with red cabbage, radishes and beets

Get ready to eat the rainbow! Either use these Rainbow Nourishment Bowls as inspiration for different coloured ingredients or start the hunt for watermelon radishes and dark leafy greens!

9. Quinoa Bowls with Sesame Tofu, Avocado and Pistachios

A quinoa bowl with eggs, tofu and avoacdo

These quinoa bowls are topped with super flavorful sesame tofu, avocado, soft boiled eggs, and arugula! They’re sprinkled with roasted, salted chopped pistachios, and make a great meal with tons of flavor and texture!

10. Spring Roll Bowls

A spring roll noodle bowl with almond butter sauce on the side

You know the fresh rolls you get in a Vietnamese restaurant? The ones wrapped in rice paper, loaded with noodles and veggies and peanut butter sauce on the side? Welcome to spring rolls in a bowl!

11. Turkish Egg and Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

A bowl of Turkish eggs with greens and lemon

These Turkish eggs and quinoa make for a uniquely delicious breakfast bowl! I don’t know which part sounds better, the herbed yogurt, spicy sesame butter sauce, or the sun-dried tomato pesto!

12. Chili Mango Zesty Quinoa Salad

A chilli mango bowl with a half an avocado on top

This Chili Mango Zesty Quinoa Salad is bringing you all the flavor, nutrition, and refreshing feels. This sweet and spicy chili mango goodness tops off this delicious zesty quinoa salad!

13. Dragon Bowls

A bowl with tofu, vegetables and rice in it topped with dragon sauce

These Dragon Bowls are loaded with fresh and thin-cut veggies, soft brown rice, pan-fried tofu and the most delicious garlicky dragon sauce!

14. Spicy Satay Power Bowls

A satay tofu bowl with quinoa and cucumbers

These Spicy Satay Power Bowls are a healthy balanced meal! They’re made with quinoa, tofu, sliced cucumber, pickled red onions and a spicy peanut sauce for a bowl that is high in protein, nourishing and loaded with flavour!

15. Lemon Basil Buddha Bowls with Lemon Tahini

Lemon basil buddha bowls with asparagus and edamame beans

This plant-based bowl with oil-free sweet potato fries, asparagus, quinoa, and edamame topped with lemon tahini. It features fresh squeezed lemon to add fresh citrus flavor, and basil to add sweetness and flavor!

16. Savoury Vegan Breakfast Bowl

A savoury vegan breakfast bowl with scrambled tofu and potatoes

How’s this for the ultimate breakfast? This buddha bowl recipe features pan-fried potatoes, charred cherry tomatoes, wilted spinach, and vegan scrambled eggs, all flavoured with magical black salt!

17. Vietnamese Noodle Bowls with Lemongrass Tofu

A Vietnamese noodle bowl with lemongrass tofu

These Vietnamese Noodle Bowls are made with Asian rice noodles, marinated lemongrass tofu that’s cooked until it’s nice and crispy, and served on top of a light sesame salad!

18. Black Bean Buddha Bowl with Avocado Pesto

A black bean bowl with rice and cauliflower

Cauliflower, black beans, and whole grains, oh my! Not to mention that the avocado pesto on top of this bowl is absolutely everything – it’s fresh, it’s light, it’s spring in a sauce!

19. Quinoa Power Bowls

Green goddess dressing being poured into a bowl of vegetables

Grab some quinoa, chickpeas, seeds, veggies and greens and make this delicious power bowl that will be sure to nourish you for the whole day!

20. Vegan Buddha Bowls with Spicy Mango Sauce

A vegan buddha bowl with mango, rice and vegetables

This vegan sushi-inspired Buddha bowl recipe is loaded with nourishing veggies, fresh cubed mango, and topped with a spicy tangy mango sauce!

21. Cauliflower Shawarma Buddha Bowl

A cauliflower shawarma bowl with tahini sauce drizzled on top

Don’t tell anyone, but this perfectly spiced cauliflower shawarma might be my favourite bowl of them all! Paired with refreshing tomato and cucumber salad, with a tangy tahini dressing, there are so many delicious and herby flavours in this one.

22. Bali Bowls with Peanut Tofu

peanut sauce in a wooden bowl in the middle of a ceramic bowl filled with peanut tofu, cabbage and microgreens and sweet potatoes

Don’t these look like summer in bowl? Healthy vegan Bali Bowls with Peanut Tofu, roasted sweet potatoes, black rice, shredded cabbage, radish, and snow peas are the tastiest little bowls of sunshine!

23. Cauliflower Rice Burrito Bowls

burrito bowl in a white bowl with corn, black beans, peppers, and a sliced lime topped with guacamole and chopped cilantro

This Cauliflower Rice Burrito Bowl is TOTALLY versatile, which is what I love about it most. Now, follow the tutorial to make your own cauliflower rice, and top your bowls off with spicy salsa and a squeeze of lime!

24. Lentil Curry Bowls with Cilantro Cashew Sauce

sliced avocado on top of curried lentils in a blue bowl topped with fresh green cilantro

How’s this for some spring comfort food? These Lentil Curry Bowls have roasted carrots, basmati rice, sliced avocado, lime juice, and a creamy cilantro cashew sauce!

25. Savory Quinoa Breakfast Bowls

sliced radishes on top of a bowl with blistered cherry tomatoes, topped with black sesame seeds and microgreens and a half avocado

Feeling a savory breakfast over something sweet? Prep these buddha bowl recipes ahead of time with boiled eggs, pan-fried tofu, hummus, greens, and sliced avocados! Add whatever spices you’d like to make the flavours entirely your own!

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Buddha Bowl Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews
  • Author: Jessica Hoffman
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 1 bowl 1x
  • Category: Main
  • Method: Cook
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe

Description

A simple base recipe on how to make an easy buddha bowl!

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 cup grains (rice, quinoa, farro etc.)
  • 1/2 cup protein (tofu, tempeh, chickpeas etc.)
  • Greens (kale, microgreens, spinach etc.)
  • Vegetables (cabbage, peppers, sweet potato, beets, cucumber etc.)
  • Avocado
  • Nuts and seeds (sliced almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds etc.)
  • Sauce

Instructions

  1. Cook the grains according to package directions. Layer the grains at the bottom of the bowl. 
  2. Cook the protein by pan-frying or baking. Add the protein to the bowl with an assortment of greens, vegetables, avocado, nuts, seeds and sauce of your choice.) 

Notes

My favourite buddha bowl sauces are this Thai Peanut Sauce and this Lemon Tahini Dressing. 

*Nutrition information is an estimate based off my buddha bowl recipes linked in the roundup. 

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 480
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Fat: 18g
  • Carbohydrates: 50g
  • Fiber: 12g
  • Protein: 15g

Buddha Bowl FAQ

Are buddha bowls healthy?

Yes! Buddha bowls are a very healthy meal consisting of whole grains, vegetables and protein and are part of a healthy and balanced diet.

What’s the difference between a poke bowl and a Buddha bowl?

A poke bowl generally contains fish and a buddha bowl generally contains plant-based proteins. Poke bowls are generally also always made with rice while buddha bowls use an assortment of different grains.

Can Buddha bowls have meat?

While buddha bowls are generally plant-based, you can make your buddha bowl however you like. If you prefer to add animal protein to your bowl you definitely can.

What’s another name for a Buddha bowl?

Buddha bowls are often also referred to as macro bowls, power bowls, hippie bowls and grain bowls. If you see these names used for recipes or in restaurants, know that they are generally the same thing as a buddha bowl.