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Home Eat Salads

15 Minute Buddha Bowls

4.93 from 14 votes
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By: Sarah BondUpdated: Feb 19, 2022 35 Comments

This post contains affiliate links.

How to assemble buddha bowls

This 15 Minute Buddha Bowls recipe, with healthy grains, chickpeas, fruit, and avocado, is a balanced, healthy meal that comes together in no time!

Buddha bowl recipe with fruits and veggies in a bowl

At this point we can all agree that Buddha Bowls aren’t going away anytime soon right? I mean, how can a bowl full of healthy goodness ever go out of fashion?

So today I’m showing you how to make a basic Buddha Bowl (which you might also hear called a grain bowl, macro bowl or hippie bowl)! The general concept is that they’re a completely balanced, usually plant-based meal…in a bowl!

Buddha bowl recipe with fruits and veggies in a bowl

What is in a Buddha Bowl?

At it’s core, the Budda Bowl is just a big bowl or healthy food, mostly plants, served over a bed of greens or grains and topped with a dressing. Buddha Bowls usually contain:

  1. Greens: like spinach or kale
  2. Protein: like chickpeas or other beans
  3. Grains: like bulgur, quinoa, or brown rice
  4. Healthy carbs: helloooo fruit!
  5. Healthy fats: avocado or nuts
  6. Extras: flavorful additions like onions, nutritional yeast, or spices
How to assemble buddha bowls

1. Pick a leafy green

First up, pick a leafy green for your Buddha Bowls! I love using spinach, which is packed with nutrients while still being light and tender, but you could also use kale, romaine, arugula, or iceberg lettuce.

Spinach in a bowl on a white background

2. Plant-based protein

Next, add some healthy plant-based protein! This will transform these vegetarian Buddha Bowls from “side salad” to “filling meal”. You can use protein-packed chickpeas, healthy legumes, crispy tofu, chickpea “tuna” salad, or even boiled eggs.

Chickpeas and spinach in a white bowl

3. Healthy Grains

Adding a healthy grain or starch will make these Buddha Bowls all the more filling while packing in even more healthy nutrients and fiber. You can use fiber-rich quinoa, brown rice, bulgur, farro, or couscous.

Chickpeas, quinoa, and spinach in a bowl

4. Healthy Carbs

Fruit on a salad? Yes, friends! And once you try it there’s no going back. A handful of fresh berries, a few slices of mandarin oranges, sliced apples, or halved grapes are all delicious in your healthy homemade Buddha Bowls. As a rule of thumb, more colors = more diverse nutrients (so make it a rainbow masterpiece!)

Buddha bowl recipe with fruits and veggies in a bowl

5. Healthy Fats

Round out the macronutrient profile of your veggie Buddha Bowls by adding some healthy fats, like avocado, nuts, or seeds.

Buddha bowl recipe with fruits and veggies in a bowl

6. Extras

Finally, throw on the extras! These can be flavorful additions like red onion, nutritional yeast, spice blends (I love sprinkling on the Trader Joe’s Umami Blend), or more veggies!

Buddha bowl recipe with fruits and veggies in a bowl

What sauce is best for buddha bowls?

We’re drizzling these particular Buddha Bowls with a sweet and savory yogurt sauce, but you can also top your bowls with: Yumm Sauce, Romesco Sauce, Blueberry Vinaigrette, or your favorite salad dressing.

Buddha bowl recipe with fruits and veggies in a bowl
Buddha bowl recipe with fruits and veggies in a bowl

15 Minute Buddha Bowls Recipe

4.93 from 14 votes
Prep: 15 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Author: Sarah Bond
Calories: 465kcal
Servings: 4 servings
Print Rate
This 15 Minute Buddha Bowls recipe is a balanced, healthy meal that comes together in no time! It’s a flavorful combo of healthy grains, chickpeas, fruit and avocado with a creamy, citrusy yogurt dressing.

Ingredients

Yogurt Dressing

  • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt 60 g, or dairy-free alternative
  • ¼ cup orange juice 60 mL
  • 2 Tbsp honey 30 g, can sub maple syrup or agave
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt and pepper

Buddha Bowl Fillings

  • 2 handfuls leafy greens spinach, kale, or lettuce
  • 1 cup cooked grains quinoa, couscous, bulgur, or brown rice
  • 1 15-oz can chickpeas 425 g, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup blueberries 100 g
  • 4 mandarin oranges peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1 avocados sliced
  • ¼ red onion about ½ cup, sliced
  • 2 carrots peeled and shredded

Instructions 

  • Dressing: Whisk all dressing ingredients together and set aside.
  • Filling: Divide greens into 4 servings bowls, then top each with equal portions of cooked grains, chickpeas, blueberries, oranges, avocado, onion, and carrot.
  • Serve: Drizzle with dressing and serve immediately.

Tips & Tricks

We’re drizzling these particular Buddha Bowls with yogurt sauce, but you can also top your bowls with: Yumm Sauce, Romesco Sauce, Blueberry Vinaigrette, or your favorite salad dressing.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1serving Calories: 465kcal (23%) Carbohydrates: 74.7g (25%) Protein: 12.8g (26%) Fat: 14.4g (22%) Saturated Fat: 3g (19%) Cholesterol: 3mg (1%) Sodium: 327mg (14%) Potassium: 1011mg (29%) Fiber: 12.7g (53%) Sugar: 20.9g (23%) Calcium: 117mg (12%) Iron: -30mg (-167%)
Did You Make This?

Leave a comment below and tag @liveeatlearn on social media! I love seeing what you’ve made!

Tag on Insta! Leave a Rating Pin on Pinterest

Buddha Bowl FAQs

Why is it called a Buddha Bowl? Buddha Bowls are named for their big, round shape, like a Buddha belly! But being full of delicious food is about the only thing required to qualify something as a Buddha Bowl, and many people have a different take on what they consider a Buddha Bowl!

Is a Buddha Bowl hot or cold? Both! While this version is mostly cold, there are some that are served hot (like this Roasted Veggie Buddha Bowl).

Buddha bowls on yellow background in a bowl
A photo from when I originally posted these Buddha Bowls!

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  1. Kim says

    Posted on 3/11 at 4:10 pm

    That looks so yummy, colorful and healthy!!! Going to have to try this recipe

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      Posted on 3/12 at 12:50 pm

      Thanks, Kim! 🙂 You should definitely give it a go!

  2. Kusum says

    Posted on 3/11 at 4:28 pm

    Looks so delicious, healthy and filling! Will have to try this recipe for sure.
    xx, Kusum | http://www.sveeteskapes.com

    Reply
  3. chrissa - Physical Kitchness says

    Posted on 3/11 at 5:06 pm

    YUM-O!!! I have yet to make a Buddha bowl – I’m soooo behind! This lone looks amazing. That big ‘ol avocado and all the fruit. NOM NOM! Your pics are fantastic!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      Posted on 3/16 at 3:54 pm

      Haha they’re so fun, I’m obsessed! Thanks so much for your kind words, Chrissa!

  4. Mandi says

    Posted on 3/11 at 7:54 pm

    My goodness this looks so good! Thanks for the step by step! I pinned it!4 stars

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      Posted on 3/16 at 3:54 pm

      Thanks for sharing, Mandi!!

  5. Rachel says

    Posted on 3/11 at 9:45 pm

    I’ve never heard of this but it looks delicious! And I love all of the colors! Will have to give it a try 🙂

    Reply
  6. Leah says

    Posted on 3/11 at 11:57 pm

    Oh my, this sounds wonderful! And the colors are gorgeous!

    Reply
  7. Jenn says

    Posted on 3/12 at 1:20 am

    This buddha bowl is perfect. It has everything you need to complete a perfectly healthy meal. Looks amazing. I love the addition of the orange and blueberries! Will be trying this soon. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      Posted on 3/16 at 3:56 pm

      Thanks so much, Jenn! And yea I LOVE that it’s a pretty complete meal in itself. No hassle, all health 🙂

  8. Matt @ Plating Pixels says

    Posted on 3/12 at 1:33 am

    Never tried a Buddha bowl before but can’t get much healthier than that. I’m in!

    Reply
  9. Amanda Alexander says

    Posted on 3/12 at 1:42 am

    These look delicious! I’m definitely going to give this a try soon.

    Reply
  10. Patricia @ Grab a Plate says

    Posted on 3/12 at 1:44 am

    I cannot put my finger on why I love these bowls so much (um….colorful & tasty?!), but I do! Love your visual tutorial, too! Fun for you to be in exploration mode – enjoy!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      Posted on 3/16 at 3:58 pm

      Haha aw thanks, Patricia!

  11. Bree Hogan says

    Posted on 3/12 at 8:12 am

    I love Buddha bowls, they are so healthy and filling. Yours looks delicious!

    Reply
  12. Tara says

    Posted on 3/12 at 8:02 pm

    Now that I’m not making lunches for little kids anymore (hello, teenagers), Buddha bowls have been my go-to lunch option. They’re so yummy and they give me so much energy.

    Reply
  13. Caitlin S says

    Posted on 5/30 at 2:20 am

    Delicious! And healthy 🙂5 stars

    Reply
  14. Mumrah says

    Posted on 9/26 at 10:42 pm

    We always just called this “Stuff in a bowl” – gonna impress my guys now when I say we have Buddha bowls for dinner 🙂5 stars

    Reply
  15. Nancy says

    Posted on 5/2 at 7:43 am

    Is it the fruit that adds such a high number of carbs? I won’t use honey but will add grated orange rind

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      Posted on 5/2 at 9:04 pm

      Hey Nancy! Yep, the fruit is contributing to the carbs, as well as the grains and chickpeas. A lot of that is fiber though, so the net carbs is more like 68 🙂

  16. Vicki says

    Posted on 7/20 at 4:34 pm

    Did you perhaps intend to say, “310 g soaked chickpeas if starting from dry, **cooked**, drained”??

    I do not believe it is healthy to consume uncooked beans.

    Otherwise, this looks like a terrific recipe.

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      Posted on 7/21 at 3:39 am

      Hi Vicki, you’re totally right, the wording is a bit funny. Definitely cook your chickpeas before eating them! Thanks for clarifying 😀

  17. Melanie says

    Posted on 2/27 at 2:13 am

    Wow such a small world. Here I am surfing Pinterest, click on your post, and find out that you’re from San Antonio! The Pearl is awesome and I LOVE all the chic places down there with delicious food. Which restaurant has the Buddha bowls?5 stars

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      Posted on 2/27 at 10:37 am

      Ah how I miss the Pearl! This was inspired by Green I think (a veg restaurant also in the Pearl) 😀

  18. Rachel says

    Posted on 7/25 at 4:56 am

    How long does the dressing stay goos for?

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      Posted on 7/25 at 10:29 am

      Hi Rachel! Should stay good for about 4 to 7 days (depending on how recently you opened the yogurt)! 😀

  19. Sonya van Stee says

    Posted on 9/29 at 4:41 pm

    I just heard about Buddha bowls today! Someone directed me to your site and I’m amazed at how simple it is! Thanks for sharing!

    BTW, I also have a tulip-man in my life, but we live in Canada

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      Posted on 10/3 at 9:16 am

      Aw, tulip-men all over the world! Buddha bowls are my favorite “lazy day” kind of dinner. Just so dang easy! Will be making some more to be published this fall for these colder months veggies 😀

  20. Jamie says

    Posted on 2/11 at 8:16 pm

    I made these for my work lunches this week! I just finished my first day’s lunch (minus the avocado, as I forgot it at home!) but it was DELICIOUS. Thank you for sharing this recipe!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      Posted on 2/13 at 12:29 pm

      Yay, so happy to hear Jamie!! 😀

  21. krunker says

    Posted on 2/17 at 8:48 pm

    I don’t like spinach and you always have alternatives. Thank you so much for a well-written post.5 stars

    Reply
  22. teresa says

    Posted on 9/9 at 12:52 pm

    My husband is the pickiest eater ever and he LOVED this dish. Plan on using it for a Bunco crowd.5 stars

    Reply
    • Sarah Bond says

      Posted on 9/9 at 5:33 pm

      YAY! I always love when we can convert the picky eaters. Enjoy!!

  23. Sharon Lewis says

    Posted on 1/23 at 6:19 am

    Delicious5 stars

    Reply

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A flavor-loving nutritionist and sensory science specialist showing you how to make easy vegetarian recipes, one ingredient at a time.

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