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This Buddha Bowl in the colors of the rainbow is the perfect way to add a variety of vegetables to your diet. You will love the creamy avocado dressing!
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Create a rainbow of foods with this beautiful Buddha bowl! These colorful foods contain lots of textures, flavors, and tons of vitamins and nutrients that you need to be healthy. A Buddha bowl is any meal that is all in one bowl and includes some kind of grain, like brown rice or any other whole grain, and lots of veggies. They are called Buddha bowls because they represent balance, a concept taught in Buddhism. Buddha bowls are either vegan or vegetarian, however, I have seen some people add lean meats to their bowls for added protein.
Rainbow Bowl Ingredients
You can make a rainbow using these types of vegetables for this Buddha bowl. Mix and match or use what is in season for color and variety.
- Red – Red bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, radishes, red cabbage, and beets have great red coloring.
- Orange – Carrots, pumpkin, butternut squash, and sweet potato are great year-round.
- Yellow – Summer squash, yellow pepper, corn, and golden beets are sometimes hard to find but delicious and savory.
- Green – Zucchini, broccoli, green pepper, cucumbers, and Brussels sprouts have a savory flavor to them.
- Blue/Purple – Purple cauliflower, eggplant, red onion, and purple cabbage are not always the favorites but in Buddha bowls, they add the crunch.
- Even more – You can add any vegetable you like. Other favorites are mushrooms, snow peas, and crispy tofu.
Step by Step Instructions
To create a Buddha bowl, first prepare the veggies, then roast them for a softer and more flavorful bite. Add the grains and lettuce on the bottom and give your rainbow bowl a delicious dressing overtop.
- Veggies – For the perfect vegan rainbow Buddha bowl recipe, first, you want to pick out your vegetables. Try to pick one veggie from each color of the rainbow.
- Roast – Toss your veggies in a little bit of olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder and spread onto a sheet pan. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Then roast in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Grains – Start your bowl with a grain of your choice. I like to use quinoa but rice, barley millet, or other grains can be used. To keep it an all veggie bowl, you can also use cauliflower rice.
- Lettuce – Add a bed of lettuce – I used Spring Mix, but you can try kale, romaine, or anything you have on hand.
- Assemble – Top with your roasted vegetables. Add dressing if desired. I used a creamy avocado dressing.
- Crunchy – For additional crunch and texture, sprinkle chickpeas, walnuts, almonds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds on top.
Buddha Bowl Dressings
Drizzle your favorite type of dressing over the veggies and toss together.
- Creamy Avocado Dressing – Our creamy avocado dressing is delicious on this Buddha bowl! See the recipe below.
- Tahini sauce – This is a slightly bitter flavor but has a savory flavoring that fits perfectly with Buddha bowls.
- Peanut sauce – Creamy and smooth peanut sauce that lays overtop the lettuce and clings on to the rice and veggies.
- Soy sauce – Use a low-sodium soy sauce. This is a dark coloring and will absorb into the veggies.
- Lemon juice – Freshly squeezed lemon juice gives this a nice, vibrant, and tangy flavor.
- Sesame oil – A nutty and earthy taste. It is an Asian-inspired bowl.
“Ok, that dressing is amazing & I will be adding it on everything! I could eat this weekly. It tasted so good & feels so healthy!”
-Natalie
Frequently Asked Questions
A poke bowl contains meat, like tuna and other non-vegetarian ingredients. A Buddha bowl is made completely of vegetarian or vegan food. Either bowls are a delightful alternative to salads, providing a little more bulk to your meal.
A rainbow bowl is assembled to have several colorful veggies in one bowl. Because vegetables are full of color, they resemble and show themselves as a rainbow within the bowl.
There are a few reasons for the name Buddha bowl. First, some believe it comes from the bowl the Buddha has in his hands and shares food from as a donation to others. Secondly, it resembles the belly of the Buddha. Lastly, it may mean a well-balanced diet and way of living.
The concept is to have a large bowl that is high-rimmed and filled with small portions of several foods. Normally it is a vegetarian meal. It is usually served cold and as a light dish.
Of course you can add meat to this bowl, but then it is no longer a “Buddha” bowl. Buddha bowls are vegan or vegetarian. Vegan Buddha bowl recipes can also include ingredients similar to those in a burrito bowl with black beans and roasted sweet potatoes replacing typical meat fillings. But, please feel free to add meat if you want the protein! Some popular choices are chicken, salmon, and shrimp.
Storing Buddha Rainbow Bowls
You can store each of the vegetables in an airtight containers separately or together if using for a meal prep. Store in the fridge for two to three days. The dressing will stay fresh for a week in the fridge. Store the dressing separately in a jar with a lid or airtight container.
More Vegetarian Recipes You Will Love
How to Make a Buddha Bowl
Rainbow Buddha Bowl Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 red pepper chopped
- 1 sweet potato peeled and chopped
- 1 yellow summer squash chopped
- 1 cup broccoli florets or broccolini
- 1 cup purple cauliflower florets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt and pepper
- garlic powder to taste optional
- 4 cups "Spring Mix" lettuce
- 2 cups quinoa cooked, or any grain of your choosing
For the Creamy Avocado Dressing
- 1 avocado
- ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt (use dairy free Greek yogurt if making vegan)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ¼ cup cilantro leaves
- juice from one lime
- water for thinning the dressing if needed
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Toss the chopped vegetables with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Place on a baking sheet and roast at 450 for 20-30 minutes.
- To assemble the bowls, start with the quinoa, then add the lettuce. Top with roasted vegetables and dressing. This recipe makes four bowls.
For the Dressing
- In a blender or food processor, combine all ingredients and mix until smooth. Add water as needed to reach the desired consistency. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Hi Kelsey !
Love this !! Just wanted to let you know there IS a Blue vegetable – and it’s made by nature!
Blue Corn
You’re welcome. 😉
“This Rainbow Buddha Bowl includes vegetables in all the colors of the rainbow! (Well, except blue. Why isn’t there a blue vegetable??) … “
Love eating colorful meals!! That means you are getting a little bit of everything! Very tasty! I will be making this again!
This is not only beautiful, it is so tasty as well! The creamy sauce pairs perfectly with this meal too!
Ok, that dressing is amazing & I will be adding it on everything! I could eat this weekly. It tasted so good & feels so healthy!
Such a great way to eat the rainbow!
A nice fresh healthy dish and it tastes so good! YUM!