Easy, fresh, and totally healthy these Buddha bowl dressing recipes are the perfect add-on. In just a few steps you can learn how to make a customize Buddha bowl and drizzle on a brand-new sauce each time you whip one up.
Traditionally, a Buddha bowl is a vegan bowl that consists of a layer of rice or whole grains followed by bright, colorful vegetables and drizzled with a homemade dressing.
These bowls are an easy and flavorful way to amp up your vegetable intake and a great meal prep recipe too, just like beet noodle stir fry.
I love that you can make Buddha bowls unique each and every time you whip them up, though I do prefer to have my clients top theirs with additional protein.
How To Make a Buddha Bowl
The best Buddha bowl can be made in just 6 easy steps.
- Choose a base. This can be regular rice, cauliflower rice, roasted spaghetti squash, cooked quinoa, or gluten-free soba noodles.
- Choose your vegetables. For fall-based bowls, using something like roasted root vegetables is a delicious comfort. In the warmer months, sliced cucumbers, radishes, or shredded carrots are great choices. Anything goes. Learn how to cook radishes for something new too or use leftover candied Brussels sprouts. A mix of cooked and raw veggies is always the best.
- Add something crunchy. The texture is key when making a Buddha bowl. This is a great way to add in some plant-based protein too. Roasted chickpeas, pumpkin seeds, and assorted nuts are all great choices.
- Pop on a healthy fat. This can be with sliced avocados, nuts, or nut butter whisked into the Buddha bowl dressing.
- Protein and toppings. Here is where you can add your preferred protein plus something like pickled vegetables or kimchi.
- Drizzle.Pour on your Buddha bowl dressing to complete the dish and enjoy!
Dressings For Buddha Bowls
What makes a Buddha bowl unique is the dressing you drizzle on top! Below are some of my favorite, healthy Buddha bowl sauces to brighten up your dish.
All of them are dairy-free. gluten-free, and easy to make. Keep in mind that the dressings are best drizzled after you’ve taste-tested them and adjusted as per your personal flavor preferences.
Maple Balsamic
This dressing has the best blend of tangy and sweet flavors.
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
Blend it all together and drizzle on top of your bowl!
Sweet and Tangy Dressing
If you’re a fan of honey mustard-flavored dinners, this is the dressing recipe for you.
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 teaspoons honey mustard
- Blend it all together and drizzle on top of your bowl!
Lemon Miso Dressing
A tangy burst of fresh flavor, this lemon dressing is creamy and deliciously sweet but tangy.
- ⅓ cup Miso Paste
- 2.5 tbs rice vinegar
- ⅓ cup lemon juice freshly squeezed
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
Add all the ingredients to a high-powered blender and process until smooth.
Creamy Coconut Mango
You get all the tropical feels with this sauce! It’s light and sweet with a hint of tangy lime.
- ½ raw mango
- 2 tablespoons coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
Add all the ingredients to a high-powered blender and process until smooth.
Avocado Spice
A creamy blend of healthy fats this avocado dressing is delicious when spruced up with a bit of lime juice too.
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Add all the ingredients to a high-powered blender and process until smooth.
Sweet Tahini
This is a classic Buddha bowl dressing and one that everyone loves. With subtle maple flavor it pairs well with any bowl.
- 1 tablespoon miso
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ¼ cup tahini
- ⅓ cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon oil I like olive or avocado
- ½ tablespoon maple syrup
Add all the ingredients to a high-powered blender and process until smooth.
Of course, if you’re serving a warm bowl, something like a gluten-free teriyaki sauce is tasty drizzled on top or as a marinade. As is this balsamic almond butter dressing.
The Best Buddha Bowl Recipes
Below you’ll find my favorite bowls that are perfect for a lunch meal prep or nights when you want a burst of fresh ingredients.
Keep in mind that typically, I top my bowls with something like teriyaki chicken, air fryer steak bites, or spicy chicken bites to hit my goals on a high protein diet.
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