These 17 Nourishing Grain Bowls Will Make You Feel Healthy AF Slideshow
These 17 Nourishing Grain Bowls Will Make You Feel Healthy AF
Maybe you've had a long week. Or maybe your office was giving out doughnuts for breakfast, and you caved and ate one instead of a real meal. Don't worry — it's nothing a big bowl of nutrients can't fix.
Grain bowls are the ultimate nourishing meal. That's why so many fast-casual restaurants are cultivating their own. A grain bowl is a well-rounded, full philosophy of health transformed into one satisfying meal. They've got greens, grains, and a hearty dose of protein to top it all off. No one's ever left hungry after a grain bowl — but no one's left feeling gross, either. It's that perfect happy medium between satisfaction and nutrition. And most of the time, it tastes great.
You can honestly throw any grain, vegetable, sauce, and protein in a bowl and call it a grain bowl — but these recipes, in our opinion, taste better than the rest.
5-Minute Quinoa Sushi Bowl
Finally, a sushi bowl that gets it. Sometimes you just don't want to spend more than five minutes on dinner. With this bowl, you get all the flair of sushi with none of the actual effort.
The key is to cook your quinoa ahead of time — as any meal prep expert will tell you, planning ahead is the secret to making the best weeknight meals. The sushi-grade meat adds a kick of protein without requiring any additional preparation.
Chicken Mole Quinoa Bowl
The secret ingredient in this savory bowl is perfect for fall: pumpkin! Adding this creamy, rich sauce makes the shredded chicken taste divine. Paired with avocado for healthy fats, literal piles of vegetables, and a base of hearty quinoa, these flavors take the healthiest ingredients to the next level.
Chimichurri Steak and Grilled California Avocado Ancient Grain Bowl
This recipe blends ancient grains like millet and barley with wholesome healthy fats from avocado. Add steak for some protein and you have a juicy, zesty bowl of nourishing whole foods garnished with fresh herbs.
Click here for the Chimichurri Steak and Grilled California Avocado Ancient Grain Bowl recipe.
Forbidden Rice Bowl
This recipe, loaded with kale, proves that you can totally eat bacon and still be healthy. Just add a little green and some filling black forbidden rice, and let the bacon provide all the flavor you need to complete your meal.
Healthy Korean Barbecue Bowl
Love Korean barbecue but hate the caloric load it drops on your day? Here's a delicious solution: Make your own healthier version. Instead of huge pours of oil and MSG, this recipe uses avocado to keep it light and tons of vegetables with a low-sugar sauce.
Healthy Vegan Yoga Bowl
This bowl is yogi-approved, vegan, and so good for you. Lentils are an underrated ingredient, adding protein, fiber, and lots of texture to this meal. Add tons of vegetables and some unexpected spices — like cinnamon and cayenne — and you've got a surprisingly spicy meal that keeps you feeling nourished and well.
Kale and Black Sesame Sushi Bowl
This vegan, Asian-inspired grain bowl puts an unexpected twist on your typical deconstructed sushi roll. It still includes rice, edamame, and nori, but also adds interesting ingredients like pomegranate and lemon. Never a dull bite in one of these wholesome servings!
Kale Bowl With Quinoa, Fermented Vegetables, Wakame, and Avocado
The only thing that could be more gorgeous than this bowl is your skin after you eat it. It's filled to the brim with skin-brightening foods such as coconut oil, kale, and tahini. The monounsaturated fats in this blend will keep you full and satisfied, and could even make you smarter as a result.
Click here for the Kale Bowl With Quinoa, Fermented Vegetables, Wakame, and Avocado recipe.
Lamb Grain Bowl
This bowl is as pretty as it is delicious. It's got lamb. It's got squash. It's got quinoa. And, of course, so much kale. You can't help but feel satisfied with the flavor of a honey-thyme dressing that only gets better with thyme (ha, get it?).
Lentils With Brown Rice and Feta
If you're looking for a filling, flavorful meal, this one's for you. It's vegetarian and easy to make, and uses one of the healthiest cheeses, feta, to elevate the otherwise crunchy and wholesome ingredients. There's something new in every bite of this blend, and it's perfect for potlucks since it can be served warm or cold.
Market Bowl With Fried Egg and Almond-Tamari Sauce
Even though almonds aren't technically a nut, it's still nuts how good they are for you. The crunch of almonds pairs perfectly with sweet almond butter tamari sauce and wholesome brown rice. Add an egg for protein, and you're all set!
Click here for the Market Bowl With Fried Egg and Almond-Tamari Sauce recipe.
Plant-Based Quinoa Bowl
If you're going meatless, this bowl is a hearty, fresh option for lunch or dinner. Lime adds a zesty twist to the otherwise basic recipe — meaning it's easy to make and 100 percent natural. The bowl contains a whole avocado, but we promise that's a good thing. There are a ton of reasons to start eating one of those every day.
Quinoa Bowl With Spicy Peanut Sauce
Peanut sauce is one of our favorite unexpected uses for peanut butter. It takes the flavor of quinoa to the next level, and pairs perfectly with cilantro in this Asian-inspired, fiber-filled bowl.
Click here for the Quinoa Bowl With Spicy Peanut Sauce recipe.
Quinoa Burrito Bowl
Move over, Chipotle. This is a way healthier version. It's not your average-tasting burrito bowl, either. This recipe has a sweet and spicy cilantro honey lime dressing and a zesty corn salsa to jazz things up — without necessitating sour cream.
Spicy White Basmati Rice Bowl With Chicken and Veggies
How do you make plain grilled chicken and rice a thousand times better? Easy: Add delicious sauce. This recipe's spicy drizzle takes the healthiest base ingredients and elevates them into a dinner you can enjoy.
Click here for the Spicy White Basmati Rice Bowl With Chicken and Veggies recipe.
Toasted Quinoa Bowl With Chile Oil
We know what you're thinking: Oh man, not another quinoa bowl... But we promise, this one is different. The kick of chile oil and the sharp taste of feta combine to create a refreshing, unique twist on your typical grain bowl. The combination will have your taste buds practically dancing.
Click here for the Toasted Quinoa Bowl With Chile Oil recipe.
Tofu Poke Bowl
Here's a vegetarian version of this trendy, traditional dish. The texture of tofu perfectly mimics the feel of raw fish, so plant-based eaters aren't missing out on anything in this loaded bowl. The key is the marinade — soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil jazz up the flavor of the nutritious components of the bowl.
Click here for the Tofu Poke Bowl recipe.
If you're hungry for more delicious meatless meals, check out our best 50 vegetarian recipes here.