5 Crave-Worthy Buddha Bowls

When all else fails, toss everything in a bowl, and eat up. Buddha bowls are tasty, nutritious, and super easy to put together. It’s no wonder they’re constantly on busy weeknight standby.

Buddha bowl…grain bowl…nourish bowl. It doesn’t matter what you call it—only that you include this staple dish in your arsenal of go-to healthy meals ASAP. They’re my favorite “formula meal.” I make substitutions and switch things up all the time—buddha bowls are a perfect foundation for working with so many different flavors. It’s impossible to get bored—and that’s coming from a girl who finds it difficult to eat the same thing twice.

Here’s the basic run-down on how to make delicious plant-based buddha bowls:

1. Load up your bowl with a cooked whole grain or starchy vegetable.
2. Add some seasonal vegetables (or fruits!)
3. Top with your favorite protein—beans (client), tofu, and fish are my favorites
4. Toss in some healthy fats—like avocado, nuts, and seeds
5. Drizzle with your favorite sauce. (Make your own, or keep things simple, and pour on your favorite store-bought salad dressing.)
6. Eat up—and pay attention to how amazing and energized you feel!

Need a few recipes to get you started?

Here are the five buddha bowl recipes I’m craving most right now:

Spicy Peanut Chickpea Bowls by The Grateful Grazer

Homemade peanut sauce makes everything better, and I seriously can’t get enough of the chickpea buddha bowl with sesame greens and brown rice that I shared a few months back. Fill your bowl up with a simple weeknight dinner that’s wayyyyy better than takeout. This is one recipe I’ll happily make more than once.

Spicy Peanut Chickpea Bowls by The Grateful Grazer

Asian-Style Farro Buddha Bowl by Small Bites

Crispy tofu and shelled edamame give this budget-friendly buddha bowl by Jessica Levinson a filling punch of plant-based protein. Feel free to switch up the vegetables depending on what’s in season, or what your family likes the most.

Asian-Style Farro Buddha Bowl by Small Bites

Smashed Baked Potato Nourish Bowl by Simple Swaps

You don’t need grains to make a nourishing—and Insta-worthy—buddha bowl. I love how Liz Shaw incorporates baked potatoes to balance out the fats and protein in this simple vegan meal idea. (Can’t go wrong with a drizzle of Sriracha, either!)

Smashed Baked Potato Nourish Bowl by Simple Swaps

Miso Brown Rice and Kale Bowl by Living Well Kitchen

Savory miso sauce drizzled over wholesome veggies like kale, mushrooms, and carrots is basically my idea of heaven. Meme Inge tops her bowls of goodness with pan-fried salmon for some additional protein and heart-healthy omega-3’s!

Miso Brown Rice and Kale Bowl by Living Well Kitchen

Immune-Boosting Tropical Breakfast Bowl by Emily Kyle Nutrition

Bowls aren’t only for lunch and dinner! This sweet and fruity yogurt bowl by Emily Kyle is a delicious way to start the day—and get a natural boost of probiotics to boost your immune system while you’re at it, too!

Immune-Boosting Tropical Breakfast Bowl by Emily Kyle Nutrition

What are you craving this week?