If you live in a city, you’ve probably noticed a new culinary trend popping up in the form of a bunch of new health food restaurants offering one thing. We’re talking about buddha bowls, which are basically a healthy, one-bowl meal full of macro and micronutrients. But like any food trend, it’s tragically overpriced when you buy it at restaurants. So why not make it at home instead? It’s actually pretty dang easy, and here’s how.
Pick Your Base
The base of a buddha bowl is usually some kind of grain or starch to get in your carbohydrates. While the most common one is brown rice, you actually have quite a few options here, including:
- quinoa
- couscous
- bulgur
- barley
- brown rice
- wild rice
- rice noodles
- whole wheat pasta
- sweet potatoes
- pumpkin
- squash
Pick Your Protein
Of course, a healthy meal always includes protein. Many buddha bowls are plant-based but, again, pick whatever works for you! You can consider:
- tofu
- tempeh
- chickpeas
- edamame
- beans
- egg
- lean meat
- seafood
Pick Your Veggies
The next step is the vegetables, which are the most important (and colorful) part of the buddha bowl where you’ll get the majority of your micronutrients from. There’s no limit to how many veggies you can choose, so feel free to go wild! Try these:
- mushrooms
- broccoli
- corn
- bell pepper
- asparagus
- olives
- cauliflower
- carrot
- celery
- greens
- sprouts
Pick Your Flavor and Toppings
Now it’s time to make the buddha bowl delicious. Use sauces, dressings, and toppings to add flavor and texture. Options include:
- tahini
- hummus
- pesto
- soy sauce
- peanut sauce
- chili sauce
- vinaigrette
- nuts
- seeds
- ginger
