I’ve found that the perfect lunch idea is a Buddha bowl recipe because I’m able to get tons of nutrients midday, which allows me to power through the rest of my day. Plus, I can feel full afterwards. My recent craving for Greek flavors inspired this Greek Buddha bowl recipe, which is still packed with nutrients but has a bit more healthy fats thrown in.
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A Little About Buddha Bowls
A Buddha bowl usually starts with a leafy green base that then incorporates seasonal vegetables, a grain, a protein, and some healthy fats. With our twist on the Buddha bowl recipe to add in some Greek flavors, there’s a bit more healthy fats, but it’s definitely still a recipe I can feel good about eating. Besides, who can resist tzatziki?! I swear I would put it on just about anything. It’s that good!
🥘 Ingredients In A Buddha Bowl
There are endless options when making a Greek Buddha bowl, but here are some of the healthiest ingredients for your recipe:
- Leafy greens – spinach, kale, Swiss chard, arugula, and spring mix
- Vegetables (roasted, cooked or raw) – zucchini, sweet potatoes, squash, eggplant, red onions, brussels sprouts, beets, carrots, peas, red cabbage, and broccoli
- Grains – quinoa, brown rice, or farro
- Protein – tofu, chickpeas, edamame, tempeh, or beans
- Healthy fats – feta, hummus, tzatziki, avocado, cashews, almonds, or sunflower seeds
🔪 How To Make A Greek Vegetarian Bowl
- Preheat the oven for 450 F.
- Start with the roasted veggies. On a baking sheet, place the chopped sweet potatoes and zucchini, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with sea salt.
- On a separate baking sheet, spread out the chickpeas, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with sea salt.
- Place both baking sheets in the oven and roast until the vegetables are soft and the chickpeas are crunchy.
- Next, begin compiling your Buddha bowl. Place the spinach in the bottom of the bowl, acting as a bed for the rest of the ingredients.
- Add the roasted vegetables, cooked peas, and quinoa on top of the spinach.
- Top the vegetables with the olives, feta cheese, and hummus, and drizzle tzatziki over the top.
Serve and enjoy!
💭 Buddha Bowl Recipe Tips
- The name Buddha bowl comes from the fact that it’s made in a bowl and that the bowl is often overflowing, giving it the appearance of Buddha’s belly.
- Pro Tip: There truly is no wrong way to make a Buddha bowl!
- In order for a Buddha bowl recipe to qualify as vegan, you would need to use vegan ingredients that do not come from an animal.
- The protein source in a Buddha bowl recipe can also be chicken, beef, or fish, but this is not the traditional form.
- Creating a Buddha bowl recipe is the perfect way to clean out your refrigerator.
- The Buddha bowl should consist of a leafy green, vegetables, a grain, protein, and healthy fats.
- You can change the flavor of your Buddha bowl recipe by using specific spices and seasoning on your vegetables.
FAQs
Can I Add Meat To My Vegetarian Buddha Bowl?
Since this Buddha bowl recipe is vegetarian, meat eaters can certainly add some protein by way of lean chicken breast, ground turkey, lean ground beef, or even marinated skirt steak. We like to have meatless meals often for health reasons and to integrate more fresh, whole produce into our diets. Try going meatless every so often—you won’t regret it!
Is A Vegan Greek Bowl Gluten-Free?
All ingredients listed in this vegan Greek bowl recipe are gluten-free; however, some grain options will contain gluten. For example, farro is a whole grain that does contain gluten. Swapping out farro for quinoa or brown rice will retain the dish’s gluten-free status.
Are Greek Vegetarian Bowls Adaptable For Picky Eaters?
Yes! Because you can add whatever ingredients you like to your Buddha bowls, they are totally customizable for adults and kids. If your spouse prefers to add meat to theirs, that’s great. If your kids want more grains and fewer sweet potatoes, that is totally cool, too. Everyone can build their own bowl with their own ratio of ingredients, making this dish super versatile. It will be a new family favorite!
How Long Does It Take To Make A Greek Buddha Bowl?
This recipe is awesome because it takes less than 30 minutes to make. In fact, with proper preparation, a Buddha bowl can be made in less than 20 minutes! Cooking your grains, roasting your veggies, and also roasting your chickpeas can all be done at the same time, making dinner one less worry in your busy day.
Is A Vegan Greek Bowl Part Of The Mediterranean Diet?
This flavorful Buddha bowl is a perfect example of the Mediterreanean diet! This diet consists of mostly vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, whole grains, seeds, and lots of olive oil, almost all of which are found in this humble Greek vegetarian bowl.
Recipes Similar To Vegetarian Greek Buddha Bowl
If you liked this Greek Buddha bowl recipe, you might also like these delicious Greek-inspired recipes:
- Creamy Cucumber Salad with Greek Yogurt Dressing
- Greek Yogurt and Quinoa Parfaits
- Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts
Greek Buddha Bowl Recipe
Ingredients
Vegetables for Roasting
- 1 sweet potato peeled and chopped
- ½ zucchini chopped
- 1 can chickpeas rinsed and drained
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- dash sea salt
Ingredients for buddha bowl
- 1 cup spinach
- ½ cup quinoa prepared based on brand instructions
- ½ cup peas cooked
- 2 tbsp crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tbsp kalamata olives
- 1 tbsp garlic hummus
- 1 tbsp tzatziki
Instructions
Roasted Vegetables
- Preheat the oven for 450 F.
- On a baking sheet place the chopped sweet potatoes and zucchini and drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt.
- In a separate baking sheet place the chickpeas and drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt.
- Place both baking sheets in the oven and roast until the vegetables are soft.
Compiling the Buddha Bowl
- Place the spinach in the bottom of the bowl.
- Add the roasted vegetables, cooked peas and quinoa on top of the spinach.
- Top the vegetables with the olives, feta cheese, hummus and drizzle tzatziki over the top.
Nick @ GreekBoston.com
The key to eating a healthy lunch is to plan ahead. Prepping a few of these bowls ahead of time is the way to go. It will prevent you from running out to buy an expensive lunch every day!