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)

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 (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

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

  • Butternut Squash Buddha Bowls

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15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (9)

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15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (10)

Everyday Value 365

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Lundberg Brown Rice

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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!

Reply

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!

Reply

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

Reply

15 Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipes (26)

Posted on 11/20/2017

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

Reply

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!

Reply

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.

Reply

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 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 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.

How many calories in a buddha bowl? ›

1 serving of buddha bowl contains 269 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 70% carbs, 3% fat, and 27% protein. This is a good source of proteins (33% of your Daily Value), fiber (23% of your Daily Value), and potassium (10% of your Daily Value).

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 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.

Are rice bowls healthy for weight loss? ›

Studies that have analyzed the effects of serving size have shown that reducing the size of the rice bowl reduces calorie intake, body weight, and blood sugar levels ( 28 ). Therefore, rice can be weight-loss-friendly or calorie-dense, depending on the serving size.

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.

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.

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 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.

What is a buddha bowl called? ›

Buddha bowls, also known as “bliss bowls”, “nourish bowls”, or “power bowls”, are the ultimate one-dish meal. These bountiful bowls can be simple in presentation or elegantly adorned with a variety of colorful, often organic and heirloom vegetables presented like a painter's palette.

How many calories in a salmon buddha bowl? ›

Salmon Buddha Bowl
Servings Per Container: 1
Serving Size: 1 bowl
Amount Per ServingDV%*
Calories370
Total Fat11g14%
13 more rows

How many calories are in a buddha bowl popcorn? ›

Lesser Evil - Buddha Bowl Popcorn - Cocolicious, 140 Gram

Ingredients as pure as the Himalayas. 200 calories per 5 cup serving! Organic,Gluten free,Kosher, Cholesterol free,Source of fibre,No milk hormones,Non-GMO,No artificial preservatives flavour or colours,Whole grain.

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 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.

What are the seven bowls of water Buddhism? ›

The seven offering bowls

As a guest is said to have been received and offered water to drink, water to wash the feet, flower garlands, incense, lamps, perfume and food, it is common to find similar offerings of the seven items in Buddhist rituals of deity worship.

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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