Are healthy bowl-themed restaurants popping all up around your town? Grain bowls (also known as power bowls or Buddha bowls) are all the rage on the nutrition scene, taking the place of salads at the lunch table. Unlike salads where lettuce or other greens act as the base, these bowls have a base of grains, like brown rice or quinoa.
But why all the hype? Maybe it’s because these bowls are so nutritionally balanced. Or it could be the fact that nothing is easier than tossing food into a bowl and calling it “done.” Whatever the reason, we’re on board with bowls, and we hope they never go out of style.
What goes into a grain bowl?
Grain bowls are a fantastic meal option for lunch and dinner because they’re meal-prep friendly. It’s also a great recipe for using up leftovers! And they’re insanely easy to assemble; here are the elements that go into a grain bowl:
GRAINS
Start your bowl with a grain of your choice. Think hearty, carb-y foods like:
- Brown rice
- Couscous
- Farro
- Quinoa
- Cauliflower rice
You could also try a base like sweet potatoes. The possibilities are endless!
PROTEIN
Next, add your favorite meat or plant-based protein. That could mean:
- Shredded rotisserie chicken
- Precooked chicken breast
- Canned fish
- Ground turkey
- Fried egg or two
- Tofu
- Tempeh
VEGGIES
Add some color to your bowl with vegetables. If you’re using frozen or canned vegetables, we recommend heating them before adding them to your grain bowl. Common options are:
- Roasted broccoli or cauliflower
- Grilled eggplant or peppers
- Sautéed spinach
- Sliced radish
- Shredded carrots
- Cucumber slices
- Frozen corn or peas
SAUCE
Your bowl is already packed with nutritional power, so let’s amp up the flavor! Add a few tablespoons of your favorite sauce, like:
- A green goddess dressing
- Soy sauce
- Balsamic glaze
- Green sauce or salsa
- Sriracha mayo
Be mindful of how oily or salty your dressing is to make sure you aren’t overdoing it.
TOPPINGS
Finally, the garnish! We like adding a little crunch on top to bring the textures of the bowl together. Spicy, tangy, or salty garnishes also work to bring a bowl together. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Olives
- Sliced almonds
- Flax seeds
- Feta cheese
- Roasted garbanzo beans
- Edamame
- Sesame seeds
- Jalapeño slices.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, it’s time to review the formula! Follow these portions when assembling your own DIY grain bowl.
Build Your Own Grain Bowl
Servings: Makes 1 bowl
Ingredients
- ½ cup grains
- 4–6 oz. protein
- Vegetables (as desired)
- 2 tbsp. sauce
- ¼ cup toppings
Directions
- Fill the bottom of your bowl with your preferred grains, warmed.
- Add proteins and vegetables.
- If you’re enjoying your bowl right away, drizzle with your chosen sauce, add the garnishes, and dig in!
Make ahead: You can assemble the bowls together and store in the fridge for up to 5 days. If you’re meal-prepping for the future, store the sauce and toppings separately, then add when serving. Alternatively, store each element separately then combine when you’re ready to eat!
Bowls aren’t just for lunch and dinner—they’re also great for breakfast! Follow our formula for making the breakfast smoothie bowl of your dreams.
