The perfect Buddha Bowl {aka Bliss Bowl} made easy, plus 37 great ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
Buddha Bowl = Bliss Bowl = Glow Bowl = Hippie Bowl = Power Bowl = Glory Bowl = Nourish Bowl = Big Bowl of Awesome
By any name, a Buddha Bowl is basically a colorful, delicious meal served up in a big bowl of Awesome. 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, they are often comprise 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.
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.]
Note: This infographic is provided as a jumping-off point, and is by no means an exhaustive list. 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.
We’d love it if you’d share your favorite Bowl ideas in the comments below!
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