26 Healthy Vegetarian Bowl Recipes You Can Make Ahead of Time (2024)

These vegetarian bowl recipes are perfect for your weekly meal prep. In one meal-prep session, you can easily make enough servings to have for lunches throughout the week. These bowls are full of delicious veggies and hearty grains, and they get plenty of satiating protein from ingredients like tofu and beans. Recipes like Green Goddess Grain Bowl and Edamame & Veggie Rice Bowl are healthy, delicious and will keep you full throughout the day.

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Grain Bowl with Chickpeas & Cauliflower

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This beautiful grain bowl is packed with healthy ingredients like quinoa, chickpeas, kale and cauliflower—all drizzled with a lemony tahini sauce. The fast one-bowl meal makes a satisfying weeknight dinner or packable work lunch. If you don't have za'atar, you can substitute 1/2 teaspoon each ground cumin and coriander.

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Meal-Prep Roasted Vegetable Bowls with Pesto

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Your co-workers will be jealous when you pull out this healthy lunch of roasted veggies and brown rice. Put together four lunches when you have time, and you will have packable lunches (or ready-to-eat dinners) for several days—just grab a container on your way out the door in the morning.

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Sweet Potato & Cauliflower Rice Bowl

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In this riff on a healthy grain bowl recipe, we use cauliflower rice instead of another whole grain like brown rice to cut back on carbs and load up on veggie servings. A simple citrusy drizzle, inspired by Cuban mojo sauce, finishes these vegan rice bowls, perfect for lunch or dinner.

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Vegan Grain Bowl

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This easy grain bowl has so much to love—sweet potatoes, protein-packed chickpeas, creamy avocado and homemade tahini dressing. Make the full recipe on the weekend and pack it into individual serving containers for ready-to-go lunches for work all week.

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Green Goddess Grain Bowl

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This healthy grain bowl packs in the greens with peas, asparagus and a creamy yogurt dressing. Tofu adds protein while keeping it vegetarian, but you could also swap in cooked shrimp or chicken for a satisfying dinner or packable lunch ready in just 15 minutes.

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Vegetarian Protein Bowl

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This vegetarian protein bowl has everything you need for a complete meal in one bowl. Beans not only boost protein but also add creaminess to the farro mixture. Chimichurri sauce brightens the dish.

Edamame & Veggie Rice Bowl

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The ingredients in this vegan grain bowl recipe can be prepped ahead for an easy lunch to pack for work. The tangy citrus dressing is a refreshing flavor with the sweet caramel of the roasted sheet-pan veggies.

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Bean & Veggie Taco Bowl

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Simple brown rice and black beans serve as the backdrop for sautéed veggies and taco toppings!

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Coconut Black Rice Bowls with Tofu & Purple Asparagus

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Black beans, black rice and black sesame seeds all contain anthocyanins, potent antioxidant compounds that have been shown to reduce inflammation. So "forbidden" rice isn't just striking, it's also a serious nutrition upgrade. Simmering it in coconut milk adds a rich aroma and flavor.

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Chipotle-Lime Cauliflower Taco Bowls

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A bold, smoky marinade elevates roasted cauliflower in this meal-prep version of our popular Chipotle-Lime Cauliflower Tacos. To cut down on prep time, look for precut cauliflower in the produce department. You can also save time by using microwaveable quinoa pouches instead of cooking quinoa.

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Gochujang-Glazed Tempeh & Brown Rice Bowls

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If you're a tempeh skeptic, you've probably never had the firm soy-based slabs slathered with a sweet-and-spicy barbecue sauce. We give this easy BBQ tempeh combo a punch of umami with tamari and add a little heat courtesy of gochujang.

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Chickpea & Quinoa Grain Bowl

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It seems grain bowls have as many variations as there are stars in the sky, and there is no wrong way to build one! But we prefer to keep things classic and simple with hummus, quinoa, avocado and loads of veggies!

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Chickpea & Quinoa Bowl with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

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Quinoa and chickpeas pack this vegetarian grain bowl with plenty of plant-based protein. Whip up a batch of these Mediterranean meals and pack in containers with lids to stash in the fridge for easy, healthy grab & go lunches all week long.

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Pressure-Cooker Grain Bowl

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Whip up this healthy vegetarian grain bowl with ease in your Instant Pot. Pressure-cooking the sweet potato is faster and yields the perfect texture. A drizzle of homemade spicy dressing takes this easy dinner to the next level.

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Crispy Chickpea Grain Bowl with Lemon Vinaigrette

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Our favorite part of these vegetarian grain bowls is the tangy lemon vinaigrette, which ties together a satisfying combo of quinoa, toasted pumpkin seeds, and roasted chickpeas and kale. Whip them up for easy meal-prep lunches or a healthy and satisfying dinner.

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Teriyaki Tofu Rice Bowls

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With a handful of shortcut ingredients from your local specialty grocery store, you can prepare an entire week's worth of high-fiber meals in about 15 minutes. Look for precooked wild rice packets to cut down on prep time. Topping these bowls with prebaked tofu also cuts down on the time it takes to make this quick meal-prep lunch.

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Lemon-Roasted Vegetable Hummus Bowls

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Brimming with colorful roasted vegetables, these plant-based, meal-prep lunch bowls are high in fiber to keep you full through the afternoon. Feel free to use your favorite store-bought hummus to cut down on prep time, or make a batch of your own. You can also sub in an 8-ounce microwaveable quinoa pouch to minimize cooking.

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Jackfruit Barbacoa Burrito Bowls

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Jackfruit, a tropical fruit with a dense, chewy texture, is a blank canvas that takes on flavors well. In these vegan burrito bowls, the jackfruit is simmered in a warm and spicy chile sauce that's so good that you'll never know you're eating a plant-based protein instead of pork or beef.

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Vegan Superfood Grain Bowls

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This nutrient-packed grain bowl recipe comes together in 15 minutes with the help of a few convenience food shortcuts like prewashed baby kale, microwavable quinoa and precooked beets. Pack these ahead to keep on hand for easy meal-prep lunches or dinners on busy nights.

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Turmeric Rice Bowl with Garam Masala Root Vegetables & Chickpeas

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This fragrant turmeric rice bowl topped with leftover spiced roasted root vegetables and chickpeas is inspired by flavors from India for an easy, vegetarian dinner.

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Black Bean-Quinoa Bowl

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This black bean and quinoa bowl has many of the usual hallmarks of a taco salad, minus the fried bowl. We've loaded it up with pico de gallo, fresh cilantro and avocado plus an easy hummus dressing to drizzle on top.

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Vegan Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Bowl with Creamy Green Sauce

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In a vegan riff on green goddess dressing, cashews provide a creamy base with tons of flavor from herbs and apple cider vinegar. Drizzle it all over this bowl of quinoa and roasted vegetables to make a satisfying vegan dinner or easy packable lunch that is ready in just 30 minutes.

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Chickpea & Veggie Grain Bowl

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This high-fiber vegetarian grain bowl is packed with colorful veggies and plant-based protein to keep you feeling energized and satisfied.

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Farro & Vegetable Bowls with Lemon-Shallot Herb Sauce

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These hearty grain bowls make the perfect lunch or dinner. You can use any assortment of roasted vegetables you like. The herb sauce adds brightness, while chopped pistachios provide crunch. Use any leftover sauce as a spread on a sandwich or drizzle over fried eggs.

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Vegetarian Sushi Grain Bowl

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Skip the hassle of making sushi rolls at home and just go for this grain bowl. Start with a base of brown rice and add veggies, dressing and creamy avocado for a delicious and easy meal.

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Vegan Burrito Bowls with Cauliflower Rice

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These meal-prep vegan burrito bowls are healthier and more flavorful than takeout. Make them early in the week for grab-and-go meals when days are busy. We use frozen cauliflower rice, a low-carb substitute for white or brown rice, to cut down on prep time.

26 Healthy Vegetarian Bowl Recipes You Can Make Ahead of Time (2024)

FAQs

What are the 5 key components of a Buddha bowl? ›

In general, there are five basic elements to a buddha bowl.
  • Whole grains.
  • Vegetables.
  • Protein.
  • Sauce/dressing.
  • Toppings.
Aug 15, 2022

Are Buddha bowls healthy to eat every day? ›

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 a Buddha bowl made of? ›

Assemble individual bowls with the brown rice, chickpeas, kale, carrots, radishes, cabbage, sweet potatoes, sauerkraut, sesame seeds, and microgreens, if using. Season with salt and pepper and serve with the Turmeric Tahini Sauce.

What size bowl for Buddha bowl? ›

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 is the difference between a macro bowl and a Buddha Bowl? ›

Macro Bowls: Nourish Bowl: also called Nourishment Bowls, are filled with simple, nutrient-dense ingredients to make a filling meal. Buddha Bowls: also called Hippie, Glory, or Sunshine Bowls, are often vegan or vegetarian (think: plant-based proteins), but meat is included in some recipes.

What is the Buddha's bowl myth? ›

It may originate from presenting a balanced meal, where balance is a key Buddhist concept, from the story of Buddha carrying his food bowl to fill it with whatever bits of food villagers would offer him, to the explanation of the overstuffed bowl resembling the belly of Budai, a 10th-century Chinese monk often confused ...

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.

Why are Buddha bowls so good? ›

Buddha bowls are a great way to use up store cupboard items and make the most of fresh ingredients that last for longer, as well as balance both the body and mind during these turbulent times. And an added bonus – it's super cheap! All the most essential healthy foods are.

What is a monk bowl? ›

“Monk's alms bow”or Bat is a container for Buddhist monks. It is used to receive food offering and is considered as one of the eight necessities of a Buddhist monk prescribed in the Tripitaka. “Bat Bu” is the word that calls hand-crafted or 'Bu' steel alms bowl.

How to assemble a buddha bowl? ›

Directions
  1. Layer 1/3 cup grain at bottom of bowl (save the rest to top off the bowl).
  2. Arrange vegetables on top of the grain.
  3. Separately, mix together all dressing ingredients and shake it up.
  4. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of dressing over bowl and enjoy!

Does a buddha bowl have meat? ›

An easy healthy, yet filling meal I like to turn to during these times is a Buddha bowl. Whether you call them Buddha bowls, grain bowls, meal prep bowls or just veggie bowls, these vegetarian dishes served in a single bowl or a high-rimmed plate, are the perfect way to pack a lot of goodness into one meal.

How to assemble a Buddha bowl? ›

Directions
  1. Layer 1/3 cup grain at bottom of bowl (save the rest to top off the bowl).
  2. Arrange vegetables on top of the grain.
  3. Separately, mix together all dressing ingredients and shake it up.
  4. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of dressing over bowl and enjoy!

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 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 does a bowl mean in Buddhism? ›

Every monk and nun receives a bowl when they are initiated and carry it with them everywhere they go. They accept whatever food is offered for their nourishment and serve as a blessing for the giver. In this way, the bowl symbolizes the Middle Way between the giver and receiver.

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