Buddha bowls are the perfect way to combine healthy ingredients with vibrant flavors. These nutrient-packed bowls are easy to customize and as visually appealing as they are delicious.
Whether you’re a seasoned Buddha bowl enthusiast or new to the trend, these 12 colorful Buddha bowl recipes will inspire you to create beautiful and balanced meals. Let’s dive into these colorful and nutritious bowls, complete with ingredients, preparation steps, and their benefits!
1. Quinoa and Veggie Buddha Bowl
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 sweet potato, diced and roasted
- 1 cup chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 cup sautéed kale
- Lemon-tahini dressing (1/4 cup tahini, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp maple syrup, water to thin)
Process:
- Cook quinoa according to package instructions.
- Dice and roast the sweet potato at 400°F for 25-30 minutes.
- Sauté kale in a pan with a bit of olive oil until wilted.
- Assemble the bowl with quinoa as the base. Add roasted sweet potato, chickpeas, avocado, and sautéed kale.
- Drizzle with lemon-tahini dressing.
Benefits:
This bowl is rich in fiber, healthy fats, and plant-based protein, promoting digestive health and sustained energy.
2. Mediterranean Buddha Bowl
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked couscous
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup olives, pitted and sliced
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- Olive oil and lemon juice for dressing
Process:
- Cook couscous according to package instructions.
- Mix couscous with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, and feta cheese.
- Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice.
- Toss gently to combine and serve.
Benefits:
Packed with vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats, this bowl supports heart health and provides antioxidants.
3. Spicy Chickpea Buddha Bowl
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked brown rice
- 1 cup roasted spicy chickpeas (seasoned with paprika, cumin, and chili powder)
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 cup spinach
- Spicy peanut sauce (1/4 cup peanut butter, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sriracha, water to thin)
Process:
- Cook brown rice according to package instructions.
- Roast chickpeas seasoned with spices at 400°F for 20-25 minutes.
- Assemble the bowl with brown rice, chickpeas, carrots, cucumber, and spinach.
- Drizzle with spicy peanut sauce.
Benefits:
High in protein and fiber, this bowl aids in muscle repair and digestion while providing anti-inflammatory benefits.
4. Rainbow Buddha Bowl
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1/2 cup shredded red cabbage
- 1/2 cup diced orange bell pepper
- 1/2 cup corn kernels
- 1 cup spinach
- 1/2 cup roasted purple sweet potatoes
- Light vinaigrette (2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard)
Process:
- Cook quinoa according to package instructions.
- Roast diced purple sweet potatoes at 400°F for 25-30 minutes.
- Assemble the bowl with quinoa, red cabbage, bell pepper, corn, spinach, and roasted sweet potatoes.
- Drizzle with light vinaigrette.
Benefits:
This bowl provides a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, supporting overall health and vitality.
5. Teriyaki Tofu Buddha Bowl
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked jasmine rice
- 1 cup crispy teriyaki tofu (marinated in teriyaki sauce and baked)
- 1 cup steamed broccoli
- 1/2 cup edamame
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- Extra teriyaki sauce and sesame seeds for topping
Process:
- Cook jasmine rice according to package instructions.
- Marinate tofu in teriyaki sauce and bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes.
- Steam broccoli until tender.
- Assemble the bowl with jasmine rice, tofu, broccoli, edamame, and carrots.
- Drizzle with extra teriyaki sauce and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Benefits:
Rich in plant-based protein, vitamins, and minerals, this bowl supports muscle growth and immune health.
6. Mexican Buddha Bowl
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked brown rice
- 1/2 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup corn kernels
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1/4 red onion, diced
- Salsa and lime juice for topping
Process:
- Cook brown rice according to package instructions.
- Assemble the bowl with brown rice, black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, avocado, and red onion.
- Top with salsa and a squeeze of lime juice.
Benefits:
Packed with fiber, healthy fats, and protein, this bowl helps maintain blood sugar levels and supports heart health.
7. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Buddha Bowl
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 cup roasted sweet potatoes, diced
- 1/2 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 cup baby spinach
- Creamy cilantro-lime dressing (1/4 cup Greek yogurt, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tbsp chopped cilantro)
Process:
- Cook quinoa according to package instructions.
- Roast diced sweet potatoes at 400°F for 25-30 minutes.
- Assemble the bowl with quinoa, sweet potatoes, black beans, avocado, and spinach.
- Drizzle with creamy cilantro-lime dressing.
Benefits:
High in antioxidants, fiber, and protein, this bowl supports immune health and provides long-lasting energy.
8. Falafel Buddha Bowl
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked couscous
- 4-5 falafel balls (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/2 cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 red onion, sliced
- Tzatziki sauce and fresh herbs (mint and dill)
Process:
- Cook couscous according to package instructions.
- Prepare or heat falafel balls.
- Assemble the bowl with couscous, falafel, cucumber, tomatoes, and red onion.
- Top with tzatziki sauce and fresh herbs.
Benefits:
Rich in fiber and plant-based protein, this bowl supports digestive health and provides essential vitamins and minerals.
9. Asian-Inspired Buddha Bowl
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked brown rice
- 1 cup sautéed bok choy
- 1/2 cup edamame
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1 avocado, sliced
- Ginger-soy dressing (2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp grated ginger)
Process:
- Cook brown rice according to package instructions.
- Sauté bok choy in a bit of oil until tender.
- Assemble the bowl with brown rice, bok choy, edamame, carrots, and avocado.
- Drizzle with ginger-soy dressing and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Benefits:
Packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, this bowl supports overall health and boosts the immune system.
10. Harvest Buddha Bowl
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked farro
- 1/2 cup roasted butternut squash, diced
- 1/2 cup roasted Brussels sprouts, halved
- 1/2 cup roasted beets, diced
- 1 cup fresh arugula
- Maple-balsamic dressing (2 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tbsp olive oil)
Process:
- Cook farro according to package instructions.
- Roast butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, and beets at 400°F for 25-30 minutes.
- Assemble the bowl with farro, roasted vegetables, and arugula.
- Drizzle with maple-balsamic dressing.
Benefits:
High in fiber and antioxidants, this bowl supports digestive health and provides anti-inflammatory benefits.
11. Lentil and Kale Buddha Bowl
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked brown rice
- 1 cup cooked lentils
- 1 cup sautéed kale
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 avocado, sliced
- Lemon-garlic dressing (2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 minced garlic clove)
Process:
- Cook brown rice and lentils according to package instructions.
- Sauté kale in a bit of olive oil until wilted.
- Assemble the bowl with brown rice, lentils, kale, cherry tomatoes, and avocado.
- Drizzle with lemon-garlic dressing.
Benefits:
Rich in plant-based protein, fiber, and vitamins, this bowl supports muscle repair and boosts immunity.
12. Berry and Quinoa Buddha Bowl
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 cup mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1/2 cup fresh spinach
- Honey-yogurt dressing (1/4 cup Greek yogurt, 1 tbsp honey, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract)
Process:
- Cook quinoa according to package instructions.
- Wash and prepare mixed berries.
- Assemble the bowl with quinoa, mixed berries, sliced almonds, and fresh spinach.
- Drizzle with honey-yogurt dressing.
Benefits:
High in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, this bowl supports brain health and provides a burst of energy.
