15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (2024)

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15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (1)Lee Funke

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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 (2)

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 (3)

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

15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (4)

5 from 5 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

  • Kung Pao Quinoa Bowls

  • Butternut Squash Buddha Bowls

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15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (9)

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About Lee Funke

Lee is the founder of Fit Foodie Finds and based in Minneapolis, MN. She started this website in 2010 as a way to share her love for real food and wellness. The internet has changed so much since then and so has Fit Foodie Finds. Today we're a female-run recipe website publishing hundreds of tried and true recipes developed and tested by our team.

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15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (14)

Tarisa Stidham-Ball

Posted on 7/13/2020

Who can read anything??? Too many ads to even be able to appreciate what you do! Very frustrating.
I gave up

15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (15)

Lisa

Posted on 9/12/2019

Did you really mean 5 tablespoons of olive oil in the recipe? That is a lot. Also, 5 tablespoons of olive oil has about 600 calories, which is more than it shows is in the whole recipe. 🙂

1

Reply

15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (16)

Lisa

Posted on 9/12/2019

Reply to Lisa

I see now that it is .5. haha oops!

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15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (17)

Alaina

Posted on 2/5/2021

Reply to Lisa

It says .5 tablespoons so its only half a tablespoon

Reply

15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (18)

Posted on 7/9/2019

Recipe Rating :

15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (19)
Never developed the habit of eating healthy, until i found your site! Thank you

1

Reply

15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (20)

Loshern

Posted on 7/9/2018

Unexpectedly Delicious
I’ve subjected myself (& my boyfriend) on a 7-day plant based vegan, with exceptions, detox. Now I had no idea what I was getting myself into since I’m the person that requires animal protein with nearly every meal, yet here I am Day 2 and no meal planned. With all of the veggies and fruits I have in my fridge surely I could come up with something just as delicious and filling sans meat. After scouring numerous websites then settling on preparing my very own Buddha bowls for tonight’s dinner, Google search stared me in this direction – SCORED! A little improvising, addition of seasonings and successfully cooking a pot of tri-color quinoa, my boyfriend and I sat to a very yummy but uber healthy meal that’s sure to make another appearance at my dinner table.

Thank you and keep them coming! Cheers

Reply

15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (21)

Posted on 6/15/2018

Nice Post… thanks for sharing this yummy and healthy food recipes ides with us…Plezs share more recipes with us..Yummy recipes

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15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (22)

Posted on 6/13/2018

Such a delicious roundup…perfect for meal prep!

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15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (23)

Posted on 6/11/2018

seriously. I am in love with these bowl recipes. Specially Roasted Chickpea

Reply

15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (24)

I have been interested in Buddha Bowls for a while. How do you get started and what’s a good size bowl to start ?

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15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (25)

Posted on 1/3/2018

Love this selections of Buddha Bowl

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15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (26)

Posted on 11/20/2017

Wow, it is amazing that there is so much choice with the bowl!

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15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (27)

Rene Claasen

Posted on 1/9/2017

We had our first buddha bowl supper tonight and the whole family loved it!! I want every single recipe. So delish!

Reply

Lee Funke

Posted on 1/10/2017

Reply to Rene Claasen

<3 So good, right?!

Reply

15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (29)

Cheryl Johnson

Posted on 1/8/2017

these look great, new to meal prep. can you prep/make for the whole week? if so do you freeze or will these items stay in the fridge safely for up to 5 days?

Reply

Lee Funke

Posted on 1/9/2017

Reply to Cheryl Johnson

Hey Cheryl! It should stay good in the fridge for up to 4 days!

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15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (31)

Posted on 11/14/2016

So may options to choose from. Healthy and very delicious! Can’t wait to try all of them! Cheers!!

Reply

15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (32)

Posted on 10/23/2016

I love this! I need to get my bowl on. Somehow when you put everything in 1 bowl and throw a dressing on it, it makes something amazing and new! Good way to switch up our dinners.

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15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (33)

Luna

Posted on 9/25/2016

Buddhists are vegetarian.
You should call these Buddy Bowls or something else unless you emit the animal ingredients.

Reply

15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (34)

Sophia

Posted on 1/9/2017

Reply to Luna

That’s exactly true. The “Buddha” part of “Buddha bowl” is the vegetarianism/veganism – if you use animal products it’s just a rice bowl.

Reply

15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (35)

Rachel Alfiero

Posted on 9/7/2016

Couscous is not two words. It’s one word.

Reply

Lee Funke

Posted on 9/9/2016

Reply to Rachel Alfiero

THANKS HOME GIRL!

Reply

15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (37)

emi

Posted on 7/17/2016

Hi! GREAT post, these look delicious! I wanted to let you know cous cous is not a whole grain, it’s a tiny pasta 🙂 Hulled barley would be a good one to replace it with. Just to be more annoying, based on the reasoning behind the buddha bowl name these should more appropriately be called “bodhisattva bowls” since the large bellied being mentioned here is not Buddha but actually a depiction of a bodhisattva <3

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15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (38)

Lorra

Posted on 7/17/2016

I have to say the amount of commercials/ads are overwhelming, in the way, and annoying, I understand advertising but they r ridiculous, didn’t make me want to purchase anything, jus annoyed the crap out of me

Reply

15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (39)

Paula S

Posted on 10/31/2020

Reply to Lorra

And also… the name “Buddha Bowl” means that it is vegetarian. If you want to make one with meat, just call it something else. It’s not a Buddha Bowl, by definition. thanks.

Reply

15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (40)

Jasmine C

Posted on 6/4/2016

I must be missing the links to the actually recipes. Where are they?

Thanks!

J

Reply

15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (41)

Lorra

Posted on 7/17/2016

Reply to Jasmine C

Lol they r hidden under the ads!
In all seriousness, look delicious but I too wud like the actual recipes
Thanks

Reply

15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (42)

Posted on 6/2/2016

Hi Lee! Great post! If you’re looking for Buddha Bowls that don’t require much cooking, here’s a quick and easy one: http://www.wellonthego.com/rainbow-buddha-bowl/

Reply

15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What are the 5 key 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 are Buddha bowls? ›

Buddha bowl is a balanced nutritional diet consisting of greens, grains, protein, and complex carbohydrates, with no compromise on flavour, thus making it a wholesome meal.

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

Usually a nourish bowl includes some sort of protein to it, where a buddha bowl is more known as a grain bowl. What is a Nourish Bowl? A nourish bowl is a well-balanced, healthy meal that is packed with nutrient-rich ingredients that are good-for-you.

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

Buddha bowls have been compared to Nourish Bowls (a non-vegetarian version) and to Poké Bowls (a Hawaiian raw fish dish). There are several explanations for why the name refers to Buddha.

What are the rules for the Buddha bowl? ›

Since there is no rule about what goes into a Buddha bowl, you can feel free to be as creative as you wish and choose whatever will make you happy. That said, the best Buddha bowls have plenty of vegetables, grains for bulk plus added protein.

What food is in the Buddha bowl trend? ›

The Buddha bowl goes by many other names – glory bowl, hippie bowl, grain bowl, salad bowl. Whatever it's called, you can expect the recipe to include plenty of super bowl foods: salad greens, raw or roasted vegetables, grains such as brown rice, chickpeas, tofu, or quinoa and nuts.

Should a Buddha Bowl be hot or cold? ›

A Buddha bowl is a vegetarian meal served in a single bowl, consisting of small portions of several foods, served cold or warm. These may include whole grains such as quinoa or brown rice, plant proteins such as chickpeas or tofu, and vegetables.

How big should a Buddha Bowl be? ›

Fill the bottom of a large (2- to 3-cups is ideal) bowl ⅓ of the way with hot or cold whole grains, like brown rice, bulgur, barley, quinoa, or polenta.

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.

How do you make a good bowl? ›

You can apply this simple layering system to practically any healthy bowl creation. 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.

Are frozen Buddha bowls healthy? ›

However, while fresh is always best, frozen buddha bowls are far from the worst thing you can put in your body when you're pressed for time. "From a nutritional perspective, freezing is a good way to preserve the nutrient content of food.

What is another name for a Buddha 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 is the crunchy stuff in a poke bowl? ›

Adding crunchy bits to your poke bowl makes it even more delicious. Common choices are crispy onions, garlic chips, and sesame seeds. Shredded nori (a type of seaweed) adds a seafood-like flavor, while sweet furikake, a Japanese seasoning, is another popular pick.

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 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? ›

Fill the bottom of a large (2- to 3-cups is ideal) bowl ⅓ of the way with hot or cold whole grains, like brown rice, bulgur, barley, quinoa, or polenta.

What are the seven bowls in Buddhism? ›

In Tibetan tradition, the offering of the seven or eight bowls (Tib: Ting) of water is a common practice by most practitioners. The making of offering is a practice that helps eliminate clinging and miserliness while also building up good potential.

Why is a Buddha bowl called a Buddha bowl? ›

Enthusiasts say it's a way of emulating the way Buddha used to eat; he would wake up before dawn and walk about with his bowl among the local people.

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