Rainbow Buddha Bowl

5 from 5 votes
6 Comments

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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! 

Rainbow Buddha bowl with red, orange, yellow, green, and purple vegetables.
Featured with this recipe
  1. Rainbow Bowl Ingredients
  2. Step by Step Instructions
  3. Buddha Bowl Dressings
  4. Frequently Asked Questions
  5. Storing Buddha Rainbow Bowls
  6. More Vegetarian Recipes You Will Love
  7. How to Make a Buddha Bowl
  8. Rainbow Buddha Bowl Recipe Recipe

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Lettuce – Add a bed of lettuce – I used Spring Mix, but you can try kale, romaine, or anything you have on hand. 
  5. Assemble – Top with your roasted vegetables. Add dressing if desired. I used a creamy avocado dressing.
  6. Crunchy – For additional crunch and texture, sprinkle chickpeas, walnuts, almonds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds on top.
A rainbow Buddha bowl drizzled with dressing.

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

What is the difference between a poke bowl and a Buddha bowl?

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.

What is a rainbow bowl?

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.

Why are they called Buddha bowls?

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.

What is the concept of the Buddha bowl?

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.

Can a Buddha bowl have meat?

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 with creamy avocado dressing on a blue background with a fork.

Rainbow Buddha Bowl Recipe

5 from 5 votes
This Buddha bowl is the perfect way to add a little more color to your diet. You will love the creamy avocado dressing! 
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Video

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.
    Buddha bowl veggies on a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
  • To assemble the bowls, start with the quinoa, then add the lettuce. Top with roasted vegetables and dressing. This recipe makes four bowls.
    Rainbow buddha bowl with a rainbow of colors.

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.
    A rainbow Buddha bowl drizzled with dressing.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 4gCalories: 549kcalCarbohydrates: 78gProtein: 18gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 72mgPotassium: 1345mgFiber: 13gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 9795IUVitamin C: 95mgCalcium: 110mgIron: 5mg

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About the author

Kelsey Crist

Kelsey lives in Washington with her husband, Alex, and two cats, Diana and Nova. Her happy place is in the kitchen listening to an audiobook and trying new recipes. When she's not in the kitchen you can find her hiking, shopping at Trader Joe's, or playing Animal Crossing. Her favorite food is pasta and Alex loves when she makes Homemade Oreos.

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Comments

  1. 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??) … “

  2. 5 stars
    Love eating colorful meals!! That means you are getting a little bit of everything! Very tasty! I will be making this again!

  3. 5 stars
    This is not only beautiful, it is so tasty as well! The creamy sauce pairs perfectly with this meal too!

  4. 5 stars
    Ok, that dressing is amazing & I will be adding it on everything! I could eat this weekly. It tasted so good & feels so healthy!