25 Easy Buddha Bowl Recipes (Plus How to Build Your Own)
Buddha bowls are one of my go-to meals. Essentially a grain bowl with some type of protein, a vegetable or two, and always a delicious sauce on top, they are customizable and easy to prep ahead of time.
Especially with two kids, Buddha bowls let my family easily mix and match toppings, and I love that the possibilities are infinitely flexible based on what’s in my fridge.
As a predominantly plant-based eater, most of my Buddha bowl recipes rely on tofu, tempeh, beans, or lentils for protein, followed by a high-fiber grain. I’ve been making, testing, and photographing these bowls for well over a decade, and I’ve pulled together 25 of my best Buddha bowl recipes below, categorized by type so you can find what you need fast.
What is a Buddha bowl, anyway?
A Buddha bowl is basically a single-bowl meal made with a grain, a plant protein, a generous amount of vegetables, and a sauce. There are no rules for what goes into one, and they are the same as a grain bowl, power bowl, nourish bowl, or macro bowl.
Some bowls on this page skip the grain entirely and build on roasted potatoes or vegetables instead, but they are still buddha bowls. As a dietitian, I love this format because it’s the easiest way I know to get a complete meal without thinking too much about it. A grain gives carbohydrates and fiber; protein helps to keep you full, and at least a serving of vegetables helps to meet vegetable requirements and add more fiber and color!
How to Build Your Own Buddha Bowl
Step 1: Start with a grain
You can use whatever grain you want here. I like brown rice, white rice, quinoa, farro, freekah, bulgur, couscous, soba noodles, polenta, you get the idea. Farro is my favorite for meal prep because they stay chewy and is so protein-dense (see more farro salad recipes here).
Step 2: Add a protein
Protein helps keep you satisfied, and choosing plant-based proteins also adds a source of fiber and often extra phytonutrients.
- Tempeh: One of the highest plant-based proteins, with about 16-18 g of protein per 3 oz. Tempeh also crisps really nicely and is great as tempeh bacon, maple tempeh, or tempeh sausage depending on the vibe of your bowl.
- Extra-firm tofu: Contains about 8-9 g per 3 oz, though this varies by brand. Super-firm and high-protein tofu contains about 11-14 g of protein.
- Lentils: About 9 g of protein per 1/2 cup; black lentils and french lentils are my favorite as they hold their shape.
- Shelled edamame: I love shelled edamame as it’s so easy to cook! I keep frozen bags to easily warm up in the microwave. A 1/2 cup of shelled edamame is about 9 g of protein.
- Chickpeas: Like other beans, chickpeas contain about 7 g of protein per 1/2 cup.
- Hemp Hearts: Don’t forget seeds! Especially a sprinkle of hemp seeds and chia seeds on top of your bowl adds more protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
Step 3: Add vegetables
Vegetables do a lot of work in your buddha bowl, not just for nutrition, but also for texture! I like to combine a roasted or warm vegetable, like roasted broccoli, sweet potato, cauliflower, butternut squash, with a raw or crunchy one, like shredded carrot, cucumber, cabbage, radish, scallion, snap peas, ect.
This pairing adds contrast and chew, and adding a cooked vegetable keeps your buddha bowl from feeling more like a salad than a meal.
Step 4: Make a sauce!
A sauce helps bring everything together, and it doesn’t have to be homemade if you don’t want it to be. But these are my go-to sauces that work with so many combinations:
- Peanut Sauce: I use peanut sauce on so many things, but it’s basically a combination of peanut butter, soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, chili garlic sauce, hot water to thin.
- Tahini: tahini, lemon juice, garlic, salt, water, and you can add a little maple syrup for a sweeter version!
- Gochujang: gochujang, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and a little sugar! I’ve got a version here in my Gochujang tofu bowls.
- Herby Green: Blend together yogurt and a little mayo with cilantro, parsley, lime or lemon juice, and garlic. You can also blend cashews for a dairy-free version!
Step 5: Finish with something crunchy and acidic!
Finish with something to bring everything home —like toasted sesame seeds, crushed peanuts, salsa macha, pepitas, crispy shallots, furikake, and a little acid like lime, quick pickled red onion, pickled jalapeños, etc. I know it sounds odd, but really, a little acid balances so many flavors and is my secret ingredient for so many recipes!
High-Protein Buddha Bowls
Sweet Potato Vegan Buddha Bowl
Sweet Potato Vegan Buddha Bowls! If you love sweet potato buddha bowls, then you will love this vegan buddha bowl version. Roasted sweet potatoes, tofu, kale, couscous and a creamy lemon tahini dressing. 19 g protein per serving.
Vegan Tempeh Taco Bowl
Vegan Tempeh Taco Bowl! These bowls are a MUST-MAKE. Spicy tempeh taco filling, farro, black bean and corn salsa, pickled radishes and a creamy avocado-jalapeno sauce. 21 g protein per serving.
Vegan Muhammara Bowls
Vegan Muhammara bowls with roasted vegetables, crispy chickpeas, couscous and fresh herbs. A satisfying and healthy plant-based meal. 22 g protein per serving.
Peanut Tofu Buddha Bowl
One of the most-made recipes on this site. Crispy peanut tofu, roasted broccoli, brown rice, shredded carrots, and a peanut sauce with real heat from chili garlic sauce. 20 g protein per serving.
Spicy Gochujang Crispy Tofu Bowls
These Korean-inspired, Spicy Gochujang Tofu Rice Bowls are so incredibly flavorful and a delicious weeknight dinner. If you love spicy food, then you’ll love this meal! 16 g protein.
Harissa Tahini Tofu Bowls
Harissa Tahini Tofu Buddha Bowls! Harissa roasted tofu, roasted potatoes, broccoli and cauliflower covered in a tahini harissa dressing. Grain-free, vegan and gluten-free.
Tofu Rice Bowls with Black Beans and Corn Salad
Vegan Rice Bowls with cilantro lime tofu, black beans, corn salad, tomatoes. A healthy plant-based bowl meal that’s perfect for meal prep, lunch and dinner. 13 g protein per serving.
Vegan BBQ Tempeh Bowl
Vegan BBQ tempeh Bowl! BBQ roasted tempeh with crispy brussels sprouts and carrots. Served with wild rice. 23 g protein per serving.
Potato, Harissa and Lentil Buddha Bowl
Lentil and Potato Harissa Buddha Bowl! This vegan and gluten-free buddha bowl is perfect for easy dinners. Packed with plant-based protein, so much flavor and a sweet & spicy harissa dressing. 15 g protein per serving.
Quick Buddha Bowls (30 Minutes or Less)
Vegan Polenta Bowl
Weeknight comfort food! Cheesy, creamy, vegan polenta topped with roasted tomatoes and mushrooms.
Pico de Gallo Rice Bowls
Pico de Gallo Bowls! A healthy plant-based and gluten-free dinner featuring fresh tomato rice, fajita vegetables, black beans and guacamole.
Chili Crisp Tofu Bowls with Cucumber Salad and Rice
Chili crisp tofu bowls! Pan-fried tofu tossed in a spicy chili crisp sauce, then served with rice, quick pickled cucumbers, scallions and sesame seeds.
Air Fryer Bang Bang Tofu Bowls
Vegan Air Fryer Bang Bang Tofu Bowls! These bowls are loaded with so much flavor and served with rice and avocado cucumber salsa.
Tofu Poke Bowl
If you love poke, then you’ll love this tofu poke bowl! With crispy chili tofu, sushi rice, quick pickled cucumbers, nori, avocado, and a spicy mayo sauce. Naturally vegan and gluten-free.
Cozy Roasted Vegetable Bowls
Winter Buddha Bowl with Maple Tahini Dressing
Weeknight dinner, coming up! This Winter Buddha Bowl is packed with seasonal favorites: roasted butternut squash, brussels sprouts, tofu, carrots, farro and a maple mustard tahini dressing.
Roasted Vegetable Thanksgiving Bowl
Roasted vegetable thanksgiving bowl! This simple vegan dinner is perfect for a small Thanksgiving celebration. Roasted vegetables and tofu, wild rice pilaf, mushroom gravy and cranberry sauce.
Roasted Butternut Squash Burrito Bowls + Video
Roasted Butternut Squash Burrito Bowls! You will love these gluten-free and vegan burrito bowls. Roasted and spiced butternut squash cubes, black bean and cabbage slaw with homemade guacamole. Vegan & Gluten-Free
Butternut Squash Tahini Buddha Bowl
Butternut Squash Tahini Buddha Bowls! You are going to love these healthy, plant-based bowls. Roasted squash, spinach, couscous, beans and homemade goddess dressing. Vegan.
Fresh & Bright Bowls
Beet Poke Bowls
A healthy, vegan twist on Hawaiian-style poke bowls! Tangy, salty beet poke with rice, avocado, veggies, and my homemade spicy cashew mayo. The Beet Poke was adapted from Hot for Food.
Ultimate Goddess Bowl with Creamy Goddess Dressing
The Ultimate Goddess Bowl! Freekah, kale, roasted carrots, and a creamy goddess dressing! This healthy grain bowl is so easy and packed with flavor!
Mango Salsa Rice Bowls
Black bean, rice and mango salsa bowls! These healthy, refreshing burrito bowls have 18 g of protein and 19 g of fiber per serving.
Summer Fajita Bowls with Creamy Cilantro Sauce
Summer Fajita Bowls with Creamy Cilantro Sauce! Roasted summer vegetables, cilantro rice, avocado and a creamy, dairy-free cilantro sauce. Vegan and Gluten-free.
Meal-Prep Buddha Bowls
Instant Pot Vegan Burrito Bowls
Rice and black beans cooked together in the Instant Pot, which means one pot and no watching. Pile on whatever burrito bowl toppings you like. 15 g protein per serving.
Banh Mi Inspired Noodle Bowls
Banh Mi bowls with tofu! These banh mi-inspired noodle bowls are packed with so much flavor. Fresh, delicious, and naturally vegan.
Tofu Satay Bowls
Satay, in bowl form! These tofu satay bowls feature peanut tofu, rice, cucumbers and the yummiest peanut satay sauce. A healthy and filling plant-based dinner.
Meal Prep Shawarma Bowl
Meal Prep Shawarma Bowls! These healthy plant-based shawarma bowls are perfect for meal prep throughout the week or for a light dinner. Roasted shawarma cauliflower, chickpeas, lemon potatoes, plenty of vegetables and a creamy tahini dressing.
Plant-Based Sheet Pan Ranch Bowls
A healthy plant-based sheet-pan ranch bowl recipe featuring roasted ranch potatoes, tofu, whole grains, vegetables and a creamy non-dairy ranch dressing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a buddha bowl and a grain bowl?
Nothing; both are a grain, a protein, vegetables, and a sauce in one bowl. “Grain bowl” is the more literal name; “buddha bowl” is the one that caught on. A few bowls on this page don’t have a grain at all, like my the harissa tahini tofu bowl and the butternut squash burrito bowls are built on vegetables instead, but they’re still buddha bowls.
How much protein should a buddha bowl have?
There’s no official per-meal protein target in US dietary guidance, as the recommendations are daily, not per-meal, but research on protein distribution across the day generally points to 25 to 30 grams per meal as the amount that maximizes muscle protein synthesis.
Can I make buddha bowls ahead?
Yes, and it’s one of the best meal-prep formats. Store the grain, protein, vegetables, and sauce in four separate containers instead of assembling them.
What’s the best grain for buddha bowls?
Farro and freekeh if you’re meal-prepping, because they stay chewy instead of going mushy, and they’re also among the most protein-dense grains, on par with quinoa per cup cooked.