20 Buddha Bowl Recipes That Are as Healthy as They Are Delicious

Buddha bowls are one of our favorite food trends β€” they are overflowing with both flavor and potential. Once you get past their kitschy name (they are so full, like Buddha's tummy), you'll find that a delicious and aesthetically pleasing Buddha bowl incorporates lots of vegetables, grains, and lean proteins.

When arranged correctly, a Buddha bowl will look like a meal that took hours to make, even though it really only took a few minutes. So, forget eating boring salads for lunch and make yourself one of these gorgeous bowls instead β€” or multiply a recipe by five for a full workweek of meals.

01

Kimchi, quinoa, and bok choy

This Asian-inspired bowl looks far more complicated than it actually is. Steamed bok choy gives you a great vegetable serving; quinoa keeps you full; while the kimchi adds spice, saltiness, and most important, gut-helping probiotic benefits.

02

Black bean salsa, brown rice, and greens

Mix roasted corn, diced cherry tomatoes, and rinsed black beans with basil for salsa, then season as you like. Serve with brown rice and your choice of greens. Don't forget to add avocado for extra yumminess!

03

Bok choy, mushrooms, cabbage, tahini noodles and teriyaki salmon

Salmon is a great protein to add to Buddha bowls, as it's not only incredibly healthy but really tasty, too! SautΓ© bok choy and mushrooms and serve alongside teriyaki salmon. Pair with store-bought ramen noodles and drizzle with tahini for a showstopping meal.

04

Tofu, spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, and baked sweet potato

Sweet potatoes are high in fiber, which means they'll keep you fuller for longer, making them the perfect addition to your Buddha bowls. Serve your sweet potato with sautΓ©ed tofu, spinach, mushrooms, and bell peppers. Make sure to add lots of cracked black pepper for flavor.

05

Brown rice, tofu, and broccoli

Studies show that brown rice has far more nutrients than white rice and can actually reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Using it in this Buddha bowl is a quick and easy way to fall in love with it. Just cook it according to package instructions and serve with steamed broccoli. Add sriracha and sesame seeds for more flavor (and might we suggest topping it with a perfectly fried egg?).

06

Salmon, corn, rice, peppers, and guacamole

Love fish tacos but can't find the time to make them at home? This gorgeous Buddha bowl perfectly replicates the flavors of a fish taco, but it's both healthier and easier to re-create. Start by cooking up a piece of fish (salmon or cod are great options) and adding it to a bowl with rice and some other taco-inspired sides, like tomatoes, corn, and most importantly, guacamole. Squeeze lime on top of it all for a healthy and tasty dressing.

07

Teriyaki veggies and rice noodles

This bowl uses rice noodles as its base, which are not only easier to cook than your standard noodle but also great for people looking to avoid wheat. SautΓ© your choice of veggies with teriyaki sauce for the rest of this quick meal (which is also surprisingly affordable).

08

Roasted peppers, asparagus, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, mushroom, and avocado

This bowl includes roasted red bell peppers, mushrooms, sweet potatoes, potato wedges, asparagus, and carrots, but feel free to use your favorite veggies. Serve with homemade hummus or another dressing of your choice.

09

Pumpkin curry, broccoli, cauliflower, and black rice

Making a delicious curry dish is easier than you'd think, follow this easy pumpkin curry recipe. Serve it with rice, broccoli, and cauliflower for a dish that is great to meal prep.

10

Maple sesame tofu, avocado, sweet potatoes, eggplant, and cauliflower rice

One of the stars of this Buddha bowl is the cilantro-lime cauliflower rice, which is as delicious as it's healthy. A few crucial side dishes are the roasted sweet potato and eggplant. And don't forget the avocado! If you're trying to steer clear of tofu, no worries, you can replace it with any other protein you'd like (we recommend chicken). Serve with sriracha and lime for some heat and acidity.

11

Chili, rice, broccolini, and avocado

Chili and rice is a classic combination, so it's no surprise that it would work so well as a Buddha bowl. Pick your favorite healthy chili recipe and serve it with a heaping portion of rice. Top with steamed broccolini and avocado to take it to the next level.

12

Chickpea-zucchini curry and rice

Check out this creamy, dreamy chickpea curry that you can make entirely in the slow cooker, saving you an unbelievable amount of time. Serve with rice for a meal that takes almost no time to assemble, but is the perfect change from your boring weekday lunches.

13

Lentil, sweet potatoes, quinoa, eggplant, and peppers

Focusing on roasted veggies, this dish is both simple and savory. Roast bell peppers, sweet potatoes, and eggplant in your oven, then serve alongside lentils and quinoa for a satisfying meal that you can experiment with for days.

14

Salmon poke, cucumbers, avocado, rice, and seaweed

The key to making this Buddha bowl taste like the real thing is to use sushi rice instead of regular white rice, it won't be the same otherwise. Pick classic sushi add-ons like cucumber, avocado, and seaweed to really drive the flavors home. If you can't get access to sashimi-grade salmon where you live, don't worry, smoked salmon makes for a great replacement. Serve with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger.

15

Sweet potato and vegetable stew

Forget rice or pasta and serve your bowl with savory mashed sweet potatoes. If you're vegan or vegetarian you can make a meat-free stew, but if not, we recommend a quick and easy beef version.

16

Lentil dhal and quinoa

Dhal is a classic Indian dish that is not only easy to make but also immensely flavorful. Lentils are high in fiber and protein, and by cooking them with other vegetables like chickpeas, tomatoes, and zucchini, you're going to find it easier than ever to eat healthily.

17

Grilled shrimp, kale, avocado, and fried rice

Everyone knows that kale is good for you, but finding a recipe that actually makes you want to eat kale is rare. Which is why this delicious Buddha bowl is absolutely perfect. By massaging the kale with lemon juice, you not only make it less tough, but also season it, making it perfect for salads or bowls. Add some spicy grilled shrimp (we love this Moroccan-inspired recipe), avocado, and fried rice for a meal you're guaranteed to make over and over again.

18

Ratatouille, avocado, and millet

Ratatouille sounds fancy, but this French stew is actually very easy to make. A combination of tomatoes, zucchini, and eggplant, this is the perfect dish for colder days. For those still out of the loop, millet is a seed that is not only high in antioxidants, but also relatively inexpensive. Prepare millet, great for anyone looking to cut down on carbs, just as you would quinoa or brown rice.

19

Tofu stir-fry and noodles

Tofu is a great meatless protein and takes on flavors extraordinarily well, making it a fabulous addition to stir-fry dishes. Add it to a bowl of noodles for a simple bowl that's not only affordable, but tasty, too.

20

Chili, avocado, corn, and brown rice

This autumnal chili recipe is great not only for Buddha bowls, but for easy family dinners as well. Serve with brown rice, roasted corn, and avocado. Add a dollop of sour cream and red pepper flakes to make it even more awesome.