• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
  • Subscribe

Grateful Grazer

menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipe Index
    • Work With Me
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Grateful Grazer

    Published: Feb 13, 2019 · Modified: Mar 11, 2022 by Stephanie McKercher, RDN · 7 Comments

    13 Plant-Forward Bowl Recipes

    Fridge foraging (making meals with ingredients you already have) is an easy way to reduce waste and live more sustainably. Need inspiration? Here are 13 eco-friendly bowl recipes that are up to the task.

    Convenience and accessibility are what I love most about fridge foraging. It's all about making the most of what you've already got.

    Fridge foraging is convenient, cost-effective, and beneficial for the environment. You'll buy (and waste) less food when you incorporate your leftovers.

    Looking for a good fridge-foraging strategy?

    Bowls are the best meal to make when you need to use up fresh produce.

    Bowl recipes are ideal for fridge foraging because you can use one basic formula and swap in any type of vegetable you happen to have on hand.

    This works for leftover beans, cooked grains, and other foods, too.

    I rounded up 13 of my favorite eco-friendly bowl recipes below, but there are no rules. Make adjustments or just wing it completely when you're making fridge-foraged bowls at home.

    Try to use up ingredients already in your kitchen versus buying something new.

    My formula for fridge-foraged bowl recipes:

    1. Start with a scoop of cooked grains or starchy vegetables (rice, quinoa, farro, freekeh, mashed potatoes).
    2. Add a good source of protein (tofu, tempeh, edamame, beans, lentils, or chickpeas).
    3. Fill at least half of the bowl with veggies (I like to steam, sauté, or roast them first).
    4. Top it all off with sauce and energizing fats from avocado, nuts, or seeds.

    Ready to get cooking? Here are some of my favorite eco-friendly bowl recipes.

    13 Eco-Friendly Bowl Recipes for Fridge Foraging:

    sheet pan tofu bowls by grateful grazer

    Bowl recipes. Sheet pan tofu bowl in white ceramic bowl with cream napkin and bowl of herbs in background.

    Equal parts convenient and comforting. Sheet Pan Tofu is baked in a sweet-and-savory sauce and served over a hearty mix of grains and lentils in this easy dinner recipe that also happens to be completely plant-based.

    banh mi bowl with lemongrass tofu meatballs and sriracha aioli by rachael hartley nutrition

    Bowl recipes.Banh Mi Bowl with tofu meatballs in white bowl with blue napkin against grey background.

    If you're craving a trip to Vietnam (raising my hand), this Banh Mi Bowl will be right up your alley. Lemongrass tofu meatballs, sriracha aioli, and pickled vegetables ensure there's no shortage of flavor.

    vegan tempeh taco bowl by sinful nutrition

    Bowl recipes. Colorful tempeh taco bowl in white bowl against white background.

    Who wouldn't like to dig into this colorful and flavor-packed Tempeh Taco Bowl? It'll please both the vegans and omnivores at your table.

    greek roasted chickpea with tofu feta & freekeh bowl by grateful grazer

    Bowl recipes. Greek roasted chickpeas with tofu feta in brown ceramic dish iwth blue napkin and wood background.

    Greek Roasted Chickpeas with Tofu Feta are a match made in food heaven. Even cheese lovers will go crazy for the Mediterranean flavors in this dairy-free bowl.

    single serve fast food power bowl by eat real live well

    Bowl recipes. Single serve grain bowl in white bowl with lemon against grey background.

    A Single Serve Fast Food Bowl is something anyone can master, and the lemon garlic tahini dressing in this recipe is incredibly versatile. This bowl would taste good with any type of wilted green or near-its-end veggie.

    caprese salad grain bowl by emily kyle nutrition

    Bowl recipes. Caprese salad grain bowl on white plate with quinoa and basil leaves in center.

    Grain bowls aren't only for lunch and dinner. This Caprese Salad Bowl with fresh basil and balsamic glaze is good enough to eat for breakfast.

    asian-style farro buddha bowl by jessica levinson

    Bowl recipes. Asian-style farro buddha bowl in white bowl against grey background.

    This Asian-Style Farro Buddha Bowl is packed with fresh produce and a miso dressing that tastes even better than takeout. With both tofu and edamame, you'll also get two different sources of plant-based protein.

    curried brown butter bowls with crispy sprouts by dishing out health

    Bowl recipes. Curried Brown Butter Rice Bowl on white plate with nuts and cucumber against light backdrop.

    This Curried Brown Butter Bowl combines color and crunch for a veggie-packed meal that's guaranteed to excite everyone at the table. Throw an egg (or tofu scramble) on top for additional protein.

    spring vegetable buddha bowl by the foodie dietitian

    Bowl recipes. Spring Vegetable Buddha Bowl in white bowl with fresh herbs on white background.

    Ready for spring? This Vegetable Buddha Bowl with creamy cashew dressing will make your taste buds sing. Not quite there yet? Swap in any mix of seasonal vegetables already in your fridge.

    chipotle tomato rice power bowl by sharon palmer

    A twist on taco night? Yes, please. This Chipotle Tomato Rice Power Bowl is colorful, plant-based, and the perfect dish for meal prepping.

    Seafood lovers will eat up this Shrimp, Farro and Avocado Power Bowl with honey lime vinaigrette. It's a nutrient-dense recipe that's easy to customize.

    mediterranean plant protein power bowl by the domestic dietitian

    This Mediterranean Power Bowl is full of vibrant colors and delicious flavors. It also happens to contain 20 grams of plant-based protein.

    vegetarian grain bowl with maple-dijon dressing by Amy Gorin

    Grilling is a delicious way to upgrade your dinner. Try a Vegetarian Grain Bowl with Maple Dijon Dressing for a little taste of summer.

    Ready to forage the fridge to make your own low-waste bowl recipes at home?

    Black text reads, "13 Eco-Friendly Bowl Recipes" and pictures sheet pan tofu bowl in white ceramic bowl with cream napkin.

    Share your fridge-foraged creations in the comments below.

    (This post was originally published in 2017. Most recently updated February 2019.)

    « Lentil Grain Bowls with Matcha Dressing
    Mushroom Kale Black Bean Taco Bake »

    Share This Recipe

    938 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. MasterLiga88 says

      February 24, 2019 at 2:55 am

      Hmm it seems like your website ate my first comment (it was super long) so I
      guess I'll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I'm thoroughly
      enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog writer but I'm still new to the whole
      thing. Do you have any suggestions for inexperienced blog writers?
      I'd really appreciate it.

      Reply
      • Stephanie McKercher, RDN says

        March 08, 2019 at 7:25 am

        Focusing on cooking and food photography skills have helped me a lot! I have a couple of posts about taking food photos on my blog if you're interested. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Liz says

      August 21, 2017 at 9:58 am

      Drooling over here! Thanks so much for including my Smashed Potato Bowl in the mix!

      Reply
      • Stephanie McKercher, RDN says

        August 28, 2017 at 1:20 pm

        Drooling over that potato bowl—thanks Liz!

        Reply
    3. Jessica @ Small Bites by Jessica says

      August 21, 2017 at 9:43 am

      Love making bowls for dinner, especially with the kids so everyone can add what he/she wants. Thanks for including my farro buddha bowls with tofu!

      Reply
      • Stephanie McKercher, RDN says

        August 28, 2017 at 1:19 pm

        It's the perfect way to give everyone what they want! Thanks for the great recipe, Jessica!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    I accept the Privacy Policy

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hello! My name is Stephanie. I'm a registered dietitian, recipe developer, and cookbook author. Here on Grateful Grazer, you'll find easy, plant-forward recipes, vegetarian nutrition information, and approachable guides to meal planning and prep.

    Learn more →

    Popular Right Now:

    • Easy Edamame Crunch Salad
    • One-Pot Yellow Split Pea Soup
    • Berry Coconut Water Smoothie
    • Vanilla Matcha Latte
    • Berry Dragon Fruit Smoothie
    • Sweet Potato Breakfast Bowl
    • Vegetarian Freezer Meals
    • Vegan Pasta Primavera

    Father's Day Recipes:

    • Smashed Baby Potatoes with Pesto Sauce
    • Black Bean Stuffed Poblano Peppers
    • Chimichurri Grilled Tofu Skewers
    • How to Make Quick Pickles: Recipes and Tips

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Footer

    Grateful Grazer

    • About
    • Blog
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe

    Work with Me

    • Media Partnerships
    • Media Highlights
    • Contact

    Resources

    • 100+ Meal Prep Ideas
    • Grocery List
    • Meal Prep Ebook
    • Cookbook

    Privacy Policy | Disclosure Policy | Terms and Conditions

    Copyright © 2021 The Grateful Grazer, LLC