Like the spiritual guru it’s named after, Buddha bowls are brimming with nourishing comfort foods that will fill your belly and soul. Buddha bowls recipes are similar to macrobiotic aka macro bowls in that they incorporate the eating principles of Chinese and Japanese medicine and include raw or roasted veggies, beans, a whole grain, like brown rice, farro or quinoa, and sometimes fish, with every meal. This way of eating is thought to be “ideal” for reducing toxins in the body and lowering your risk of chronic diseases.
A melting pot of flavors and textures, Buddha bowl recipes are also usually dressed with a spicy sauce. But the fun doesn’t stop there. You can top your dish with nuts and seeds for a boost of buttery flavor and crunch. Some dishes also feature dried seaweed and wonton crisps. The possibilities are endless, so we narrowed down some of our favorites here.
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9 Satisfying Buddha Bowl Recipes
1. Macro Bowl with Sesame Tofu
A whopping 16 grams of protein per serving, you won’t go hungry with this vegan-friendly dish. Tofu is coated with black and white sesame seeds to give it a meatier texture and is infused with classic Asian flavors: ginger, tamari soy sauce, garlic and rice bran oil, which is filled with free-radical fighting vitamin E. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
2. Superfood Taco Bowls
This Buddha bowl just got a #TacoTuesday upgrade. From paprika to chili powder to cumin, lean ground beef is seasoned with zesty Mexican spices. Brown rice, kale, hummus, sprouts and diced tomatoes round out the nutrient-rich meal. The best part? This dish takes only six minutes to prepare! Photo and recipe: Lee Hersh/ Fit Foodie Finds
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3. Roasted Veggie Bowl
Creamy cashew tahini dressing gives this Buddha bowl a unique spin. Soaking cashews overnight helps break down the fiber and makes it easier to blend. Here, we also roasted the chickpeas to caramelize its flavor and give it a slight crunch. Serve this bowl as an entrée or a veggie side dish to some grilled mains. Photo and recipe: Angela Liddon / Oh She Glows
4. Spring Nourishing Buddha Bowl
This recipe features some of spring’s prime produce, including asparagus, carrots and sprouts. Crunchy hemp seeds provide a dose of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Instead of using store-bought honey mustard dressing, which tends to be filled with added sugar, we prepare our own, using fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, raw honey and extra-virgin olive oil. Photo and recipe: Denisa / Blueberry and Basil
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5. Vegan Buddha Bowl
You’ll want to dive your fork into this colorful bowl of mouthwatering flavor. Over a bed of fluffy quinoa, we top crispy, spiced chickpeas, mixed greens and avocado slices. Made with red bell peppers, olive oil, lemon juice, pepper, salt, paprika and fresh cilantro, a drizzle of the red pepper sauce goes a long way. Photo and recipe: Sarah / Well and Full
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6. The Hippie Bowl
Peace, love, and… sauerkraut. The golden fermented cabbage in this recipe adds a sour kick to this colorful meal that’s also packed with carrots, radishes, kale, avocados and quinoa. The golden sauerkraut gets its bright orange hue and gut-friendly benefits from the carrots and turmeric. Photo and recipe: David Frenkiel / Green Kitchen Stories
7. Curry Spice Vegetable and Grain Bowl
It’s getting hot in here! This 15-minute veggie and grain bowl can be eaten right away or made in advance for a week’s worth of nutrient-rich lunches. Curry powder turns brown rice into a golden color, and fresh cilantro tones things down with a refreshing earthy flavor. Dress it up with avocados, potatoes, kale and purple cabbage. Photo and recipe: Renee Blair / Life by Daily Burn
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8. Spicy Buddha Bowl
Turmeric tahini dressing steals the spotlight in this superfood bowl. Made with maple syrup, cayenne pepper, turmeric, Sriracha and tahini, this flavorful dressing is a mash-up of sweet, spicy and sour flavors. Photo and recipe: Amrita / Crazy Vegan Kitchen
9. Chicken Buddha Bowl with Spicy Mango Sauce
Take a break from that ho-hum dinner selection and sub in this tropical delight. The perfect weeknight meal, you can use rotisserie chicken if you don’t have time to grill or bake your own. Spicy mango dressing is made with diced fresh mango, apple cider, coconut milk, honey and a pinch of red pepper flakes for some kick. Photo and recipe: Alexis Kornblum Davidson / Lexi’s Clean Kitchen