The perfect Buddha Bowl {aka Bliss Bowl} made easy; plus 35+ great ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
Buddha Bowls are known by many names: Bliss Bowl, Glow Bowl, Hippie Bowl, Power Bowl, Glory Bowl, Nourish Bowl. You get the idea.
By any name, a Buddha Bowl is basically a colorful, delicious meal served up in a big bowl of Awesome. Traditionally vegan or vegetarian, Buddha Bowls are comprised of healthy, plant-based ingredients like grains, roasted vegetables, nuts, sometimes fruits, a handful of leafy greens, and a flourish of sweet, savory, or tangy sauce, Buddha Bowls offer infinite combinations of flavor and texture.
From my first bowl, eaten aside a downtown Portland food cart, I have been in love with both the idea and the practice of Buddha Bowls.
In the warmer months, some variation on a Buddha Bowl comprises the majority of our weekly menu. However, as you may know, making your first bowl can be a little like opening up a brand new 64-color box of crayons - there are so many choices! However, once I was hooked, I set about making the task of creating new bowls a little easier.
Post Updated January 2, 2020 (Originally published June 27. 2016)
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How to Make a Buddha Bowl
- Step 1: Beginning with a Base, layer at least one item from each list in the infographic below into your favorite bowl to create your own Buddha Bowl bliss.
- Base: Anything green [Examples: Lettuces, Leafy greens, spinach]
- Veggies: Chopped, grated, cooked or raw, anything goes here.
- Protein: Traditional Buddha Bowls, by definition, are plant-based; however, you can use whatever protein you want.
- Complex Carbs: This category includes such tasty additions as corn, sweet potatoes, and wheat berries.
- Sweet: Add some fresh fruit to your bowl for a sweet component.
- Crunch: Texture is as important in a Buddha Bowl as taste. Be sure to include a crunchy option to keep things interesting.
- Flourish: This is your finishing touch - your sauce, your sprinkling of fresh herbs, etc.
- Step 2: Enjoy!
Free Printable Buddha Bowl Graphic: I created the infographic below as a road-map to make the task of creating new combinations a bit easier. If you would like a copy of your own to magnet to your fridge, click here for a free printable PDF.]
This infographic is provided as a jumping-off point, and is by no means an exhaustive list.
You may notice this list includes a number of animal-based choices in the Proteins category. By definition, traditional Buddha Bowls are plant-based; however, that is the beauty of the Bowl! You can make your bowl anything you want it to be.
Need more inspiration? Check out this list, then grab your favorite bowl and have some fun!
Traditional Buddha Bowls, by definition, are plant-based. The following bowls are not vegan or vegetarian, and therefore not technically ”Buddha” bowls. Nevertheless, these bowls provide some delicious inspiration, not to mention some amazing sauce options!Vegetarian & Vegan Buddha Bowls
Masala Chana Chaat - a classic Indian street food recipe for vegetarians
Vegan Buddha Bowl With Sweet Potatoes, Chickpeas, Spinach and Brown Rice
Dragon Bowls with Easy Vegan Option - Black Food Bloggers Club by The Blenderist
Seafood, Chicken & Other Meaty-type Power Bowls
Fiesta Chicken + Cilantro Lime Rice Fajita Bowl with Avocado Chipotle Crema.
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Meredith{MarthaChartreuse} says
Well now I really, really want a buddha bowl! The blog post comes with delivery, right??
Renée ♥ says
Ha, Meredith - if only! 🙂
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says
What a wonderful round up. I discovered some seriously delicious bowls here. Thank you for including me in your round-up.
Renée ♥ says
You are so welcome, Michelle. I *love* your blog!
Heather Kinnaird says
wow, so many great choices!!
Renée ♥ says
Thanks, Heather!
Lindsay Ingalls says
We have Buddha Bowls at least 3x per week- such a great meal!
Erin @ Platings and Pairings says
I love bowls - Often, I'll pick up a jar of Yum sauce and eat the bowls for back to back nights. I love the infographic you created - So many options!!!
Shannon says
I love meals like this that are just combined into one bowl. Never even knew there was a name for them! These all look like great options. Thanks for sharing!
Shannon
Clothes & Quotes
Renée ♥ says
You are so welcome, Shannon. Thanks for visiting today!
Kristen Chidsey says
What a great collection. I love budda bowls but you have inspired so many more ideas for me!
Renée ♥ says
We are actually having variation of #14 tonight!
Catherine @ Ten Thousand Hour Mama says
Mm, I love bowls, too. And your comparison to a giant box of crayons is hilarious!
I am doing more meal planning, so I should make bowls a regular on the week's plan. Thanks for the inspiration and ideas!
Marlynn @ UrbanBlissLife says
What a great collection, and I love that you created an infographic for this! My brain needs visual organization and the categories of ingredients is so helpful. Now I want a Buddha Bowl... or three! 🙂
Renée ♥ says
Thanks so much, Marlynn! I have that same need for visual order. I also have a very strong visual memory, so once it's there, it's usually solid (which is kind of a helpful super power). In other words, charts with color and visual flow are my friends.
Marloney says
Great content. Thanks for sharing this buddha bowl dish.
Chris Collins says
I absolutely LOVE buddha bowls so this post is heaven for me! Thanks so much for sharing all these beautiful creations 🙂
Renée ♥ says
Thanks for stopping by, Chris!
Tisha says
All of these bowls look amazing! The hardest part will be to pick which one to do first!
Renée ♥ says
I usually pick based on what's leftover in my fridge! ?
Irina says
I have never heard about Buddha bowl, but I am ready to learn:) All the recipes sound inviting and appetizing. I do not know what to start from...:) What is the easiest one?
Renée ♥ says
Great question! Just choose one thing from each category in the graphic, and you can create your own. (I usually start with the leftovers in my fridge!)
Jayne says
These bowls are a great way to kick off the healthier eating season for 2020. Thank you for sharing.
Renée ♥ says
Thanks for stopping by, Jayne! ?
Sharon says
So many buddha bowls you will never get tired of them! Perfect for lunch or light dinners.
Renée ♥ says
With Buddha Bowls, there are nearly infinite possibilities!
Scarlet says
Thanks for the how to instructions and what a fabulous collection of buddha bowls for inspiration!
Renée ♥ says
Thank you for stopping by, Scarlet!
Colleen Healy says
Thank-you. They all look wonderful !! The graphic is going to be very helpful..