Easy Quinoa Buddha Bowl (Energizing, Vegan)
An energizing and refreshing, plant-based power bowl! This Buddha bowl with quinoa is topped with raw beets, chickpeas, and a light tahini orange dressing. An easy, healthy, gluten-free bowl that makes the perfect pick-me-up lunch or 30 minute meal.
A healthy, power bowl guaranteed to nourish and reenergize! This Buddha bowl recipe is made with refreshing, liver-friendly vegetables and fiber-boosting chickpeas.
Plus, drizzled with an orange tahini dressing keeps the bowl light and fresh. This vegan Buddha bowl is great for:
- Meal prep lunches
- 15-minute dinners
Don't want to read? JUMP to the recipe!
What Is A Buddha Bowl?
Buddha bowl is a fancy way of saying “plant-based power bowl of random items”. Truly!
Typically Buddha bowl recipes are vegan recipes. Likewise, what they have in common is that they’re loaded in vegetables.
Even though there are a ton of recipes out there, creating your own Buddha bowl is really simple! In fact, all you need is:
- a base
- 2-4 vegetables
- something crunchy
- plant-based protein
- a dressing or sauce
Are Buddha Bowls Healthy?
Yes! Most Buddha bowls have a predominant focus on vegetables and whole grains. They use a combo of plant-based protein to round out the macronutrients. However, other proteins can obviously be used.
Likewise, they are easily be topped with gut-boosting additives like kimchi, pickled onions etc.
How To Make It Paleo Or Whole30 Approved
Because many Buddha bowls place focus on whole grains, they’re not often whole30 approved.
If you want to rectify that, simply substitute the quinoa in this bowl for easy cauliflower rice. Similarly, you’ll need to omit the chickpeas entirely as legumes are not permitted on either diet (learn more about paleo-approved foods).
You’ll want to note though that removing the quinoa will also remove a lot of the bowls protein content. Thus, you may want to add an additional source.
Toppings
While this recipe is topped using fresh, raw veggies, you can always add more to mix and match. Some favorites are:
- roasted chickpeas for raw
- dandelion kimchi
- pickled anything
- avocados
Meal Prep
This Buddha bowl on quinoa makes the perfect meal prep recipe. Given that everything is eaten cold, it’s easy to make ahead of time and take it with you!
Simply portion the quinoa and toppings into separate containers and top with the dressing (or keep the dressing on the side, your choice!).
Buddha Bowl Dressing
This recipe uses an orange tahini dressing to keep the bowl light. Plus, the combo of oranges with beets gives the bowl a sweeter flavor which is lovely in the warmer months.
The dressing can be placed on the bowl ahead of time and left to sit or drizzled on right before eating.
Creating Simple Dinners
If you’re looking for even easier, healthy dinner recipes, check out The Busy Moms E-Cookbook,- simple dinners for busy moms where I’ve gathered 30 healthy dinner recipes that can be made in thirty minutes or less. From easy vegan tacos to beef and quinoa chili, simple chicken pasta to a bok choy and mushroom bowl. These dinner recipes share a few things in common:
- They are healthy and simple to make
- All of the recipes are dairy-free or could easily be made dairy-free
- The majority of the recipes are gluten-free
- All of the recipes are real-food based and focus on nutrients not fillers
- They’re all tasty!
To make dinner-time even LESS stressful, I’ve also included several bonus tips on food prep, pantry staples and how to make healthy eating simple. Grab your copy of The Busy Mom’s E-Cookbook
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked & chilled quinoa (¾ dry)
- 1 can chickpeas, rinsed
- 2 large beets, shredded
- 5 inches of cucumber, sliced
- 2 bell peppers, chopped
- 8 radishes, sliced
Dressing Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon miso
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ¼ cup tahini
- ⅓ cup fresh orange juice
- ⅛ cup oil of choice (walnut was used)
- ½ tablespoon pure maple syrup
Kitchen Tools
Don't forget to pin this Quinoa Buddha Bowl!
Grab your printable
Tahini Beet Buddha Bowl With Quinoa (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Nutrition
This Beet & Orange Buddha Bowl is filled with nutrients, gut-boosting ingredients, and simple to whip up. It's light and refreshing making it perfect for warm summer nights when you don't want to cook.
Charlotte
I haven't had a buddha bowl in ages, and love that they are so easy to make! I don't cook with beets often enough, this looks like an incredible recipe--thanks so much for sharing 🙂
fitasamamabear
I go through bowl phases too but I'm loving them in the warm weather right now! Enjoy the bowl- let me know what you think!
Tracy
Yum! Beets are my fave and we have so many in the CSA box right now. I'm always looking for creative uses. Thanks!
fitasamamabear
I adore beets! When in doubt, roast them with seat salt... so yummy!
Blu
Seems easy enough to make. Beets are making a comeback! I usually use beef powder. I can't remember the last time I ate them.
fitasamamabear
Ohh I actually haven't played around with beet powder- thanks for the tips! I love beets- roasted, raw every way possible.
Katie/Celebrating With The Bug
This looks delicious! Forgive my ignorance what is miso or would there be a good alternative? 🙂
fitasamamabear
Thanks Katie! Miso is a fermented soy paste and has kind of a tangy taste to it. Because it's fermented it's amazing for your gut bacteria. There's not a great substitution but you could try omitting it and adding more tahini. The flavor profile would be a bit more dull but I think still tasty!
Helen Snowdon
I dislike beetroot but this looks so good like you said, they are so versatile do I could substitute it.
fitasamamabear
You don't like beets!? I suppose I can accept that 😉 Honestly any veggie you enjoy would work but I'd sub with grated carrots- same texture and they work well with orange 🙂
The Crumby Vegan
I personally love Buddha bowls (they are so super easy and nutritious) but I hadn't heard of the orange and beetroot combination! So mega... And VEGAN! Woohoo. Must tell Husband about this - thank you 🙂 ?
fitasamamabear
Mmm I love orange and beets! I used to make a stir fry with them too so tasty! Enjoy the bowl and let me know what you think about the combo when you try it!
April Kitchens
I love a good Buddha bowl! I pinned this to make later. Bowls are so simple to make especially when my little is running me ragged lol.
fitasamamabear
Yes! Thanks for pinning. Honestly bowls just come together so nicely and are full of healthy ingredients. i love how light but tasty they are
Elizabeth Brico
This sounds AMAZING! Super delicious and healthy, and VEGAN. Thank you!!
fitasamamabear
It's a tasty one- I hope you enjoy it! I've been addicted to it since I made it haha
Plushy
This is so simple and light, perfect for a summer meal. And not to mention that all these colours work so well together! Miam!
fitasamamabear
Thanks! It's definitely a tasty one and you can't go wrong with a color filled bowl!
justine
Oh my YUM! You can never go wrong with buddha bowls! OR Beets!
fitasamamabear
Right!? I could eat bowl variations pretty much every day.. and beets, I adore beets!
sarah
I used to make a stir fry with them too so tasty! Enjoy the bowl and let me know what you think about the combo when you try it!
fitasamamabear
Mmm you honestly can't go wrong with the combo!