If you’re hunting for the ultimate colorful, flavor-packed, nourishing meal, look no further than the Best Buddha Bowl! Overflowing with roasted sweet potatoes, nutrient-dense grains, vibrant veggies, and zingy Turmeric Tahini sauce, this bowl is pure veggie magic—every bite as delightful as it looks.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rainbow on Your Plate: Each bowl bursts with fresh, jewel-bright veggies, making every meal feel like a celebration.
- Endlessly Customizable: Swap out grains, greens, proteins, or toppings—this bowl is as flexible as your mood (or your fridge) demands!
- Filling Yet Fresh: With roasted sweet potatoes and hearty grains nestled beside crunchy, tangy veggies, you get that just-right, satisfying balance.
- Showstopper Flavor: The punchy Turmeric Tahini Sauce ties everything together in the most crave-worthy way—there’s a reason this is called the Best Buddha Bowl!
Ingredients You’ll Need
All these ingredients play starring roles—each one adds unique color, crunch, and nutrition to your Best Buddha Bowl, and together they create harmony with every bite. Let’s dive into what makes each ingredient shine!
- Sweet Potato: Roasted to tender, caramelized perfection—these bring a gentle sweetness that pairs beautifully with the tangy sauce.
- Extra-virgin Olive Oil: Just a drizzle helps those sweet potatoes crisp up while infusing savory flavor.
- Watermelon Radish or Red Radishes: Gorgeous, peppery slices add a pop of color and crispness—if you spot watermelon radishes, snap them up for extra wow-factor.
- Carrots: Peeled into ribbons, these add crunch and earthy sweetness—plus a lovely wash of orange.
- Shredded Red Cabbage: Provides vibrant color and extra crunch, along with a nutritional punch.
- Lemon: Just a squeeze brightens and freshens the whole bowl—don’t skip this simple step!
- Kale: Massaged until tender, kale adds deep green earthiness and lots of vitamins.
- Cooked Brown Rice or Quinoa: Your base—hearty, wholesome, and endlessly adaptable.
- Cooked Chickpeas or Lentils: Plant-based protein to keep you full and content.
- Sauerkraut or Fermented Veggies: For a tangy, probiotic hit that adds both flavor and crunch.
- Sesame Seeds or Hemp Seeds: A sprinkling for nutty crunch and a boost of healthy fats.
- Turmeric Tahini Sauce: The sunshine-hued, creamy dressing that ties every element together—prepare to crave it on everything!
- Microgreens (optional): For a gourmet touch, sprinkle on top for even more color and flavor.
- Sea Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Essential for bringing out the best in each veggie.
Variations
The Best Buddha Bowl is a chameleon—it adapts beautifully to whatever you have on hand or crave. Don’t be shy! Feel free to get creative and swap in what works for your routine, your taste buds, or any dietary needs.
- Switch Up the Grains: Use farro, wild rice, or even cauliflower rice if you prefer gluten-free or low-carb options.
- Try a Different Protein: Swap chickpeas for roasted tofu, tempeh, or grilled chicken to suit your preferences.
- Add More Veggies: Roasted broccoli, beets, or even blistered cherry tomatoes would fit right in!
- Play with Dressings: Try this with a zesty miso-ginger or creamy avocado-lime dressing for a totally new vibe.
How to Make Best Buddha Bowl
Step 1: Roast the Sweet Potatoes
Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Cube your sweet potato, toss it with olive oil, sea salt, and cracked black pepper, then spread it out in a single layer. Roast for about 20 minutes, or until golden-brown and irresistibly tender—it’ll add comforting flavor and a caramelized touch to your Best Buddha Bowl.
Step 2: Prep the Raw Veggies
Grab a mandoline (carefully!) to slice your radishes into super-thin, pretty rounds, and use a vegetable peeler to create carrot ribbons. Toss the radish, carrot, and shredded cabbage with a bright squeeze of lemon—this keeps them crisp and gives the whole salad a refreshing zing.
Step 3: Massage the Kale
Chop your kale leaves and toss them in a big bowl with a little lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Here comes the fun: massage the kale for a minute or two with your hands—don’t be shy!—until the leaves go from tough to tender and shrink down in volume.
Step 4: Build Your Bowls
It’s time to get artsy. Start with a base of rice or quinoa; add your kale, a scoop of chickpeas or lentils, and arrange your roasted sweet potatoes, crunchy cabbage, radish, and carrot ribbons around the edges. Spoon over sauerkraut, sprinkle sesame (or hemp) seeds, and add microgreens if you’re feeling extra fancy. Season with extra salt and pepper as you like.
Step 5: Drizzle & Serve
Here’s the show-stopping finish: generously drizzle the whole bowl with your golden Turmeric Tahini Sauce. The flavors will pop, the colors will wow, and you’ll have the Best Buddha Bowl right at home—dig in!
Pro Tips for Making Best Buddha Bowl
- Perfect Roasting: Cut sweet potatoes into equal-sized cubes so they roast evenly and caramelize for ultimate flavor.
- Massaging Kale: Don’t skip the kale massage! It softens the leaves, making them sweeter and silkier (even spinach fans will be tempted).
- Batch Your Grains: Cook extra rice or quinoa early in the week so throwing together a bowl on busy days is effortless.
- Sauce It Up: Make your Turmeric Tahini Sauce ahead—it stores beautifully and tastes even better after the flavors meld.
How to Serve Best Buddha Bowl
Garnishes
Finish with a flourish: a handful of microgreens, a generous sprinkle of sesame or hemp seeds, a wedge of lemon, or even a dash of chili flakes if you love a little kick. These extra touches make every bowl look and taste restaurant-worthy.
Side Dishes
For a complete meal, serve your Best Buddha Bowl with a cup of miso soup, a platter of edamame, crusty seed bread, or even baked tofu triangles on the side. It pairs well with anything light, fresh, and veggie-forward!
Creative Ways to Present
Layer veggies in color-blocked sections for a fun gradient effect, build mini bowls for a party buffet, or serve deconstructed Buddha Bowl “boards” for family-style meals where everyone assembles their own. However you dish it up, the rainbow colors always wow!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Pack up any leftovers in airtight containers and store them in the fridge for up to three days. Keep the Turmeric Tahini Sauce in a separate jar so everything stays as fresh and crisp as possible.
Freezing
The sweet potatoes, chickpeas, and cooked grains freeze well, so make extra if you love meal prepping. Just hold off on freezing the fresh veggies and greens—they’re best enjoyed freshly prepped for crunch and vibrancy.
Reheating
Give your cooked ingredients (rice, sweet potatoes, chickpeas) a quick zap in the microwave or a toss in a skillet to warm them up. Layer with the fresh greens, veggies, and sauce after reheating for the very best Buddha Bowl experience.
FAQs
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Can I make the Best Buddha Bowl ahead of time?
Absolutely! Prep all components (roasted veggies, grains, raw veg, and sauce) in advance and store them separately in the fridge. Assemble just before serving to keep everything crisp and vibrant.
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What other sauces work well with the Best Buddha Bowl?
While Turmeric Tahini is dreamy, you can also try peanut sauce, miso-ginger dressing, avocado-lime, or even a simple balsamic vinaigrette for a tasty twist.
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Is the Best Buddha Bowl gluten-free and vegan?
It can be! Simply choose quinoa or certified gluten-free grains, and check that your sauces and toppings are plant-based and free of gluten-containing ingredients.
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How do I keep my Buddha Bowl from getting soggy?
Store wet ingredients (sauerkraut, dressing) separately until serving, and pack raw veggies and greens atop the bowl instead of under hot ingredients. This keeps everything crisp and bright.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready for a meal that’s as nourishing as it is gorgeous, the Best Buddha Bowl is your new go-to. It’s quick, flexible, and bursting with fresh energy—just waiting for you to make it your own. Give it a try soon, and let your bowl be as colorful and joyful as you are!
Print
Best Buddha Bowl Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting, Mixing, Assembling
- Cuisine: Modern Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Best Buddha Bowl recipe is a colorful and nutritious meal-in-a-bowl packed with a variety of vegetables, grains, and protein, all drizzled with a flavorful Turmeric Tahini Sauce.
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes:
- 1 large sweet potato, cubed
- Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Vegetables:
- 1 watermelon radish or 2 red radishes
- 2 medium carrots
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- Lemon wedge, for squeezing
- 8 kale leaves, chopped
Grains and Proteins:
- 2 cups cooked brown rice or quinoa
- 1 cup cooked chickpeas or cooked lentils
- 3/4 cup sauerkraut or other fermented veggie
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds or hemp seeds
- Turmeric Tahini Sauce, for serving
- Microgreens, optional
Seasoning:
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roast sweet potatoes: Toss the sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and spread onto the baking sheet. Roast for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Prepare vegetables: Thinly slice the radish into rounds, peel the carrots into ribbons, and toss with shredded cabbage and lemon.
- Massage kale: Massage kale leaves with lemon and salt until wilted.
- Assemble bowls: Arrange brown rice, chickpeas, kale, carrots, radishes, cabbage, sweet potatoes, sauerkraut, sesame seeds, and microgreens in bowls. Season and serve with Turmeric Tahini Sauce.
Notes
- Feel free to customize the bowl with your favorite vegetables or protein sources.
- Adjust the seasoning and toppings to suit your taste preferences.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: Approx. 400 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 12g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
