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    Home » Dinner

    Vegan Buddha Bowl (Gluten Free, Easy)

    Published: Feb 2, 2021 by Stephanie 29 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read full disclosure.

    Jump to Recipe

    A Vegan Buddha Bowl is the perfect dish to add to meal prepping. This nutritious bowl is packed with rice, roasted chickpeas, butternut squash and red bell pepper. And topped with the best ever tahini dressing! Vegan, Gluten free, Healthy, Easy.

    buddha bowl in a white bowl with silver spoon that's topped with tahini sauce

    A buddha bowl is amazing on so many levels. It's healthy, hearty and packed with tons of flavor.

    And the name alone just makes you feel all Zen like!

    But best of all it's customizable with all your favorite proteins and veggies!

    Another one of our favorite bowl recipes is this vegan Burrito Bowl. It's also great for meal prepping!

    What is a buddha bowl

    It's a one bowl meal that typically consists of a grain, a protein and an array of different veggies topped with a delicious sauce.

    A balanced vegetarian meal consisting of several different foods. You can serve it hot or cold.

    Ingredients

    butternut squash, kale, chickpeas, rice, red cabbage, lime juice, red bell pepper, tahini, seasonings, olive oil and garlic

    Ingredient notes

    • Butternut squash- I used a bag of frozen butternut squash just for convenience, but you could easily swap that out for fresh squash.
    • Rice- You can use any of your favorite rice here or you could swap out with quinoa or any other grain.
    • Chickpeas- this is my favorite protein to use. But the chickpeas or garbanzo beans can be swapped out with black beans, tofu or your favorite vegetarian protein.
    • Veggies- such as bell peppers, cabbage, broccoli, kale or whatever you have on hand would work.
    • Dressing- I personally recommend and love a good tahini dressing. Some other options that would work well would be a peanut sauce, avocado dressing or a cashew butter dressing.

    How to make a vegan buddha bowl

    First you'll need to choose a grain for your bowl. I used rice in this bowl. Mainly since I always have it on hand along with quinoa, which would work equally as well.

    Then decide your protein. I love using roasted seasoned chickpeas since they add a ton of flavor.

    Next pick your veggies. I recommend including some greens, cabbage and roasted vegetables.

    Roasted veggies just add another level of flavors. And you can easily roast frozen veggies such as butternut squash, broccoli, or bell peppers.

    butternut squash and red pepper chunks in a clear glass serving bowl with olive oil, salt and pepper

    Buddha bowl sauces

    I used a tahini sauce which is in the recipe card below.

    Some other variations I would recommend would be a light lemon vinaigrette, a peanut sauce, or an avocado sauce.

    buddha bowl drizzled with tahini sauce and a bowl of tahini sauce in the background

    Other recipes to make ahead

    • Black Bean Quinoa Burgers
    • Layered Pea Salad
    • Roasted Broccoli Chickpea Salad
    buddha bowl in a white bowl with a a silver spoon drizzled with tahini sauce. lime slices and bowl of tahini sauce in the background

    📖 Recipe

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    Vegan Buddha Bowl (Gluten Free, Easy)

    A Vegan Buddha Bowl that's packed with loads of flavor and has everything you need all in one bowl. Great for a healthy, tasty dinner or lunch.
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine Middle Eastern
    Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes
    Servings 4 bowls
    Calories 282kcal
    Author Stephanie

    Ingredients

    • 1 16 ounce bag frozen butternut squash
    • 1 cup rice cooked per package directions
    • 1 medium red bell pepper
    • 2 cups red cabbage chopped
    • 1 15 ounce can chickpeas
    • 2 ½ tbsp. olive oil
    • ½ tsp. cinnamon
    • ¼ tsp. turmeric
    • salt & pepper to taste
    • 3 cups Kale
    • 4 cloves garlic finely chopped
    • tahini salad dressing to taste
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    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees
    • Line large baking sheet with parchment paper
    • Place bag of frozen butternut squash in a medium mixing bowl
    • Cut bell pepper into medium chunks and place in bowl with squash.
    • Add 1 tbsp. of olive oil, salt & pepper to taste and mix well.
    • Spread out on baking sheet and bake 20-25 until golden brown on edges.
    • Remove from the oven and set aside.
    • Meanwhile place chickpeas in small bowl with ½ tbsp. olive oil, salt & pepper, cinnamon, and turmeric. Mix well and place on baking sheet.
    • Roast in oven about 15 minutes till you hear them popping(then you know they're done)
    • Remove from oven and set aside.
    • Meanwhile prepare rice according to package directions( when done I seasoned it with a little olive oil, salt & pepper)
    • Next rinse Kale leaves and remove hard stems. Place in bowl with olive oil, chopped garlic, salt & pepper and massage the kale with your hands till well blended.
    • Layer bowl with cooked rice, roasted veggies, chickpeas, chopped red cabbage and massaged kale.
    • Drizzle tahini salad dressing on as desired

    Notes

    Nutrition information for these buddha bowls does not include the tahini salad dressing
    *Nutrition Disclaimer

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 282kcal | Carbohydrates: 44.4g | Protein: 7.8g | Fat: 9.6g | Saturated Fat: 1.3g | Sodium: 53mg | Potassium: 936mg | Fiber: 6.9g | Sugar: 5.8g | Calcium: 180mg | Iron: 5mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @applesforcjblog or tag #applesforcj

    Updated- originally posted January 2017

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    Comments

    1. Jennifer A Stewart

      January 30, 2017 at 2:58 pm

      I am so glad that the big salad trends are on their way out these gorgeous buddha bowls are in. I was never one for lots of rabbit food so the idea of using whole grains and roasted veggies make this new "salad" much more like comfort food and less like diet food!

      Reply
    2. awayfromthebox

      January 30, 2017 at 6:18 am

      I love buddha bowls! And the Tahini dressing sounds great! It's starting to get cold here too (finally) so I think this will curb my comfort food cravings and still satisfy.

      Reply
    3. Sandhya Ramakrishnan

      January 30, 2017 at 3:58 am

      I love making a complete meal in a bowl and this is so perfect. I love the flavors you have in the bowl. Looking at all the different kind of Buddha bowls one can make, it makes me want to try my own version soon.

      Reply
    4. Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day

      January 29, 2017 at 11:14 pm

      Buddha Bowls are the best! You have all my favorite ingredients here. So delicious!

      Reply
      • Stef

        January 29, 2017 at 11:30 pm

        Yes..the best! This was probably my favorite so far 🙂

        Reply
    5. swathiiyer

      January 29, 2017 at 11:11 pm

      I am getting know about buddha bowls lately, you made a delicious ones with chickpeas, butternut squash and kale. These are filling too. I can make it for my lunch, skipping the regular dishes which I make.

      Reply
      • Stef

        January 29, 2017 at 11:30 pm

        Thanks Swathiiyer! And they're very filling and satisfying!

        Reply
    6. Noel Lizotte

      January 29, 2017 at 6:46 pm

      I love pretty meals! This one is so full of color! I also like the idea of assembling the meal in one bowl. Sure makes clean up easier. I just had a butternut squash last week, but I'm thinking how good it would taste in this recipe, I'll be picking up another one.

      Reply
      • Stef

        January 29, 2017 at 11:29 pm

        Yeah, one bowl meals are some of my favorites 🙂

        Reply
    7. Gloria Duggan

      January 29, 2017 at 6:16 pm

      This sounds totally delicious. Love roasting veggies. Tahini has such a wonderful flavour. Perfect for any night of the week. Even meat lovers should be satisfied with this.

      Reply
    8. Byron Thomas

      January 29, 2017 at 1:43 pm

      I really get super excited every time I see a new Buddha Bowl recipe. Are they not just the most beautiful and exciting thing to eat? I love how filling they are and how much food you get. Nothing worse than leaving a table still hungry, I always say. 🙂

      Reply
      • Stef

        January 29, 2017 at 2:40 pm

        Yes! And definitely satisfying. I have to agree you don't want to leave the table hungry:)

        Reply
    9. Kylee Cooks

      January 29, 2017 at 4:00 am

      This is so so pretty! I love a good buddha bowl, and one with butternut squash is perfect for the season! Looks so yummy!

      Reply
    10. Kathy

      January 29, 2017 at 3:10 am

      How perfect is this Buddha Bowl! Roasted veggies have so much flavor an tahini dressing is one of my favorites!!!

      Reply
    11. Abigail (Manila Spoon)

      January 29, 2017 at 1:40 am

      Any bowl loaded with roasted veggies, greens, a healthy grain and nuts would be considered super comfort food in my world! You surely made a delicious combo here! A must-try!

      Reply
    12. kimscravings

      January 28, 2017 at 11:47 pm

      So many of my favorite ingredients in one bowl! I can't wait to give this deliciousness a try!

      Reply
    13. Julie | Bunsen Burner Bakery

      January 28, 2017 at 10:03 pm

      I am on such a big tahini kick right now - I find a way to add it to everything. Love it as a dressing for "buddha bowls." I also always wonder why they got the name buddha bowl!

      Reply
    14. Natalie

      January 28, 2017 at 11:32 am

      Stef, this is a true bowl of deliciousness 🙂 LOVE the veggies you used here - kale, cabbage, pepper and squash + healthy spices.... all winter MUST for keeping us healthy. Super flavorful and satisfying! Just one big YUM!

      Reply
      • Stef

        January 28, 2017 at 2:56 pm

        Thanks Natalie! It was definitely Yummy with the tahini dressing and roasted veggies 🙂

        Reply
    15. Srivalli

      January 28, 2017 at 2:41 am

      This is the first time that I hear about Buddha Bowls and sure thing, it sounds fantastic with so many healthy ingredients included...

      Reply
    16. Mark, CompassandFork

      January 28, 2017 at 2:29 am

      I share your opinions about the term, "Buddha bowls". And I think you have done it justice with this recipe. So healthy looking and a lovely list of ingredients. Delicious.

      Reply
      • Stef

        January 28, 2017 at 2:54 pm

        Thanks Mark!

        Reply
    17. strawberryblondiekitchen

      January 28, 2017 at 1:58 am

      You packed all of my favorite things into this delicious buddha bowl. I'm obsessed with tahini, butternut squash and peppers. Cannot wait to make this an devour the entire bowl!

      Reply
    18. Sarah @ Champagne Tastes

      January 27, 2017 at 7:48 pm

      I keep meaning to make a Buddha bowl, but I keep totally forgetting about it! This looks delicious, and there's a butternut squash on my counter that REALLY needs used up!

      Reply
      • Stef

        January 27, 2017 at 8:03 pm

        Thanks Sarah and this would be a great way to use it!

        Reply
    19. Veena Azmanov

      January 27, 2017 at 7:06 pm

      I love meal in a bowl!! This looks so delish!

      Reply
      • Stef

        January 27, 2017 at 8:03 pm

        Thanks Veena!

        Reply
    20. Stef

      January 26, 2017 at 6:51 pm

      Thanks Mindy! And yes healthy but the flavors were incredible!

      Reply
    21. Mindy

      January 26, 2017 at 6:23 pm

      Looks great and so healthy! I love it when the whole meal is in one bowl!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Stephanie! The Recipe developer and writer behind APPLES FOR CJ. Welcome to my Happy Place! Here you'll find a collection of my Best Gluten Free & Vegetarian recipes, along with some healthy lifestyle tips. Hope you'll stay awhile!

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