• 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 » Recipes » Grateful Grazer

    Published: Jul 1, 2020 · Modified: Apr 30, 2021 by Stephanie McKercher, RDN · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    Watermelon Poke Bowls

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    watermelon poke bowls with avocado and edamame with white text against pink background that reads, "Watermelon Poke Bowls: vegan, 10 minutes prep"

    Watermelon Poke Bowls make a delicious vegan alternative to the original seafood-based dish. This Hawaiian-inspired bowl recipe is made with marinated watermelon cubes, steamed edamame, avocado, and nori (a type of seaweed) with rice. Make it up to two days in advance with just 10 minutes of prep work!

    White bowl of watermelon poke with edamame and avocado.

    Poke restaurants featuring colorful seafood bowls have been popping up all over the continental US lately. Traditionally, poke was made by Hawaiian fisherman, who, according to this article from Michelin Guide, typically made the dish by seasoning raw tuna or cured octopus. In Hawaii, poke is commonly found at the supermarket and is a basic staple food.

    I've come across today's rendition of poke with all different types of seafood (salmon is popular these days), often served up in colorful bowls with rice and fresh produce.

    You don't necessarily have to order poke from a restaurant to try it. And you don't even need access to sushi-grade tuna. This poke-inspired recipe uses watermelon instead!

    With just 10 minutes of prep work and the ability to make everything in advance, these Watermelon Poke Bowls are ideal for lunch or dinner on a busy weekday. It's great for students and beginner cooks, which is why I feature this recipe in my new book, The College Vegetarian Cookbook, too!

    Horizontal image of The College Vegetarian Cookbook next to Watermelon Poke Bowl.

    The first time I ever tried watermelon poke was when I made a recipe by Gaz Oakley of Avant-Garde Vegan. Gaz's take on poke is amazing and you should try it! My version is a little bit simpler and requires fewer ingredients. I created it especially for a new cook with a smaller grocery budget in mind.

    How to make Easy Watermelon Poke Bowls

    I like to make the watermelon poke in one bowl for easy cleanup, so I use a bowl that's large enough to fit the watermelon when I mix the marinade. To start, whisk soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and ginger in the bowl. Then, toss in the watermelon cubes and both the white and green parts of a scallion.

    The flavors from the marinade will soak into the watermelon cubes as time passes. I suggest waiting at least 30 minutes to get a good amount of flavor into the fruit. If you have enough time to allow the watermelon to marinate in the fridge overnight, even better.

    Bowl of marinade with watermelon cubes and a scallion.

    While the melon is marinating, you can prep the other components.

    Steam some shelled edamame (you can do this in the microwave or in a steamer basket) and prepare some rice (cook dry rice or heat up pre-cooked frozen rice in the microwave). Feel free to take care of both of these steps in advance.

    Bowl of marinated watermelon cubes.

    Once the watermelon is marinated, the final step is preparing the bowls. Divide the cooked rice, steamed edamame, and watermelon cubes between bowls. I like to drizzle the leftover marinade on top for a little more sauce. And also, I top these Watermelon Poke Bowls with avocado and crumbled pieces of nori. (Nori is a type of seaweed that's often used to wrap sushi. Feel free to leave it out if you're not able to find it where you live.)

    And that's it! You're ready to eat.

    Watermelon rice bowls with white background and linen napkin.

    How to Meal Prep and Store Watermelon Poke Bowls

    These Watermelon Poke Bowls are ideal for meal prep since the flavor of the marinated melon cubes gets better with time. Prep the watermelon, cover, and store in the refrigerator for up to two days. Likewise, you can also steam the edamame and cook the rice ahead of time. Use pre-cooked rice from the frozen section for the quickest prep.

    Potential Ingredient Substitutions and Additions:

    • Instead of edamame, try crispy tofu for plant-based protein
    • Instead of (or in addition to) avocado and nori, try shredded carrots, sliced cucumber, shredded cabbage, or sliced radishes.
    • Any type of rice works for this recipe. Poke bowls are often served with sticky sushi rice, but regular white rice or brown rice also works fine.
    • For a gluten-free variation, use liquid aminos or gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce.
    Closeup shot of watermelon poke in a white bowl.

    This recipe is the first of a couple of excerpts I'll be sharing from my new book, The College Vegetarian Cookbook, which is available for pre-order now! The book is a collection of 150 budget-friendly vegetarian recipes for new cooks.

    The College Vegetarian Cookbook on white counter with bowl of watermelon.

    Have you ever tried watermelon poke? I'd love to hear what you think!

    Horizontal image of watermelon poke bowls in a white bowl with linen napkin.
    White bowl of watermelon poke with edamame and avocado.

    Watermelon Poke Bowls

    Watermelon Poke Bowls make a delicious vegan alternative to the original seafood-based dish. This Hawaiian-inspired bowl recipe is made with marinated watermelon cubes, steamed edamame, avocado, and nori (a type of seaweed) with rice.
    4.50 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Save Saved! Rate
    Course: dinner, lunch
    Cuisine: American, Hawaiian-inspired, vegan
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Marinating Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Servings: 2 people
    Author: Stephanie McKercher, RDN

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
    • 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
    • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
    • 2 cups cubed seedless watermelon
    • 1 scallion, both white and green parts, chopped
    • 1 cup cooked rice
    • 1 cup steamed shelled edamame
    • 1 nori sheet, torn into pieces
    • 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and sliced

    Instructions

    • In a medium bowl, whisk the soy sauce, sesame oil, vinegar, and ginger until well combined.
    • Add the watermelon and scallion and marinate for at least 30 minutes or cover and chill in the refrigerator overnight.
    • Divide the rice into 2 bowls and add the edamame, nori, and avocado.
    • Top with the marinated watermelon.
    • Drizzle the remaining marinade over the bowls if desired. Serve.
    • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

    Notes

    Protein swaps: Instead of the steamed edamame in these bowls, try swapping in crispy tofu, which has been sautéed in a lightly greased skillet for 4 minutes on each side or until golden and crisp. 
     
    For a gluten-free variation, use liquid aminos or gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce.
    Tried this recipe? Tag me on Instagram!Mention @GratefulGrazer or tag #gratefulgrazer.

    Looking for More Vegetarian Bowl Recipes?

    Try these:

    • Easy Tempeh Burrito Bowls
    • Sheet Pan Tofu Bowls
    • Buffalo Roasted Chickpea Bowls
    • Black Bean Breakfast Burrito Bowls
    • Baked Tofu Harvest Bowls

    Save these Watermelon Poke Bowls on Pinterest.

    watermelon poke bowls with avocado and edamame with white text against pink background that reads, "Watermelon Poke Bowls: vegan, 10 minutes prep"

    Did you Try This Recipe?

    Rate the recipe and leave a comment below, and tag me (@GratefulGrazer) if you share on Instagram!

    Try These Recipes Next:

    • Creamy Spiced Carrot and Lentil Soup
    • Easy Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans
    • One-Pot Tofu Pumpkin Curry with Coconut Milk
    • Caprese Pizza with Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella
    128 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      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.

    1. Alex says

      July 06, 2020 at 6:07 am

      5 stars
      Yummy Stephanie! Do not know why not more people are commenting on this delicious and light recipe?

      Reply
      • Stephanie McKercher, RDN says

        July 08, 2020 at 4:10 pm

        Thanks, Alex!

        Reply
    2. simon andrew says

      July 04, 2020 at 2:52 am

      5 stars
      It is a very healthy and delicious dish.

      Reply
      • Stephanie McKercher, RDN says

        July 04, 2020 at 7:29 am

        Thanks, Simon!

        Reply

    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:

    • 31 Best Healthy and Easy Vegetarian Lunches for Work
    • Berry Coconut Water Smoothie
    • One-Pot Yellow Split Pea Soup
    • Vegetarian Freezer Meals
    • Easy Edamame Crunch Salad
    • Vegetarian Grocery List and Shopping Tips
    • Vanilla Matcha Latte
    • Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Chickpeas and Lemon Tahini

    Vegetarian Meal Prep:

    • Mediterranean Lentil Salad with Feta and Mint
    • Forbidden Black Rice and Beans with Mango
    • Overnight Mango Banana Chia Pudding with Coconut Milk
    • How to Press Tofu

    Footer

    Grateful Grazer

    • About
    • Blog
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe

    Work with Me

    • Media Partnerships
    • Media Highlights
    • Contact

    Resources

    • FREE: 100+ Meal Prep Ideas
    • FREE: Grocery List
    • Meal Prep Ebook
    • Cookbook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • TikTok

    Health information is for educational purposes only. Nutrition facts are estimates only.

    Privacy Policy | Disclosure Policy | Terms and Conditions

    Copyright © 2022 The Grateful Grazer, LLC