I don’t know about you guys but the vegan buddha bowl is a dietary staple for me. They are easy to make and put together, but above all they are versatile and can pretty much look any way you want them to. Buddha bowls allow you to create a nutritionally dense and balanced meal that include carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals. Not only that, you can also get creative with them.
In this post, I’ve rounded up some of my favourite vegan buddha bowl combinations, recipes that have all been inspired by my travels and a variety of different world cuisines. In a period where travel is limited why not bring the destination to you through its flavours and colours? Not only will these recipes take you to faraway places through your tastebuds, but they are also healthy, nutritionally dense and 100% plant-based. Let’s dig in.
Side note: When it comes to making a vegan buddha bowl, don’t worry if you don’t have the exact ingredients I’ve listed. You can absolutely go for the ingredients you already have in your fridge. I try to think of the key vegan ingredients that a particular cuisine is made up of and I use those in my bowls. If you don’t like certain ingredients, by all means, swap them for something else.
VEGAN BUDDHA BOWL IDEAS:
MOROCCAN INSPIRED BUDDHA BOWL
Morocco’s food culture is rich and full of incredible flavours from spice mixes like Ras el Hanout to chilli pastes like harissa. Moroccan ingredients are fresh, healthy and filled with amazing flavour. This is my quintessentially Moroccan buddha bowl and is full of the most classic of North African ingredients and flavours.
To make a Moroccan Buddha Bowl, you’ll need (1 portion):
- A single serving of couscous or quinoa
- Ras el Hanout baked cauliflower (roast cauliflower florets in the oven with salt, pepper, olive oil and ras el Hanout spice mix until just tender)
- A handful of raw spinach
- Chopped dates
- A handful of chopped cucumber
- A single serving of Chickpeas
- Parsley
- If you like, you can also dress your Moroccan buddha bowl with a bit of tahini and lemon.
MEXICAN INSPIRED BOWL
Spicy, complex and smoky are the immediate flavours that come to mind when thinking about Mexican food. Mexican food is powerful yet fresh with hints of limes throughout. If you’re a fan of black bean burritos then think about your favourite burrito ingredients to inspire the perfect Mexican Vegan Buddha Bowl.
To make a Mexican Buddha Bowl, you’ll need (1 portion):
- A Single portion of brown rice (white rice is fine too)
- Black beans
- Single serving of sweetcorn
- A few thin slices of red onion
- Half a tomato, diced
- A dollop of guacamole or half a sliced avocado
- a handful of red cabbage
- Chipotle mayo
Love Mexican food? Get The Perfect Vegan Burritos Recipe here.
JAPANESE INSPIRED BUDDHA BOWL
For anyone craving sushi without the fuss, this Japanese inspired buddha bowl is the perfect quick and easy solution. Using the most basic ingredients found in Japanese cuisine, this bowl is light just filling and nutritious and so easy to make at home or when travelling. You’ll be able to find all these ingredients in most food stores. If you like you can add extras like sesame seeds, wakame or other types of seaweed, chives or spring onions or even pickled or fermented vegetables of an extra dose of probiotics.
To make a Japanese Buddha Bowl, you’ll need (1 portion):
- A single serving of brown/white rice
- Marinated/Baked tofu
- Sliced cucumber
- Julienned/sliced carrot
- A serving of wakame
- A handful of cooked edamame
- Nori, sunflower or sesame seeds optional
- Cover your buddha bowl with a delicious miso dressing (mix 1/2 tbsp miso with 1 tbsp white vinegar, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1tbsp peanut oil and add grated fresh ginger and garlic to taste)
MEDITERRANEAN INSPIRED BUDDHA BOWL
Think Italian and Greek flavours for this bowl which can be pasta or even rice-based and full of roasted Mediterranean vegetables and herbs. You can easily roast a tray of vegetables ahead of time and even use leftovers to make this bowl. I like to combine this bowl with a simple olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing which taste me back to Italy in a flash. If you eat cheese you can also add feta or fresh buffalo mozzarella.
To make a Mediterranean Buddha Bowl, you’ll need (1 portion):
- A single serving of pasta, ideally orzo
- Fresh chopped tomatoes
- Roasted zucchini and bell peppers
- Olives
- Kale
- Marinated mushrooms
- Capers
MIDDLE-EASTERN BUDDHA BOWL
If you consider hummus and falafel as your staples, you’re not going to want to miss out on this middle-eastern buddha bowl. Taking the best, healthy ingredients and foods from middle-eastern cuisines and combining them in this delicious meal will not only excite your tastebuds but also fill your body with essential nutrients. These are my favourite ingredients to put into a Middle-Eastern inspired vegan buddha bowl.
To make a Middle Eastern Buddha Bowl, you’ll need (1 portion):
- A serving of bulgar wheat or couscous
- A handful of chopped cucumber
- Half a chopped tomato
- A large dollop of hummus
- A serving of baked aubergine
- A few thin slices of red onion
- 2-4 falafels
- Sprinkle of parsley and za’atar to serve.
- I normally dress this bowl with some tahini, olive oil and lemon.
PERUVIAN INSPIRED BUDDHA BOWL
Peruvian food is hearty, energy-filled with twists of freshness. Based on corn and potatoes, Peru’s most famous ingredients from the Andes, the country is also famous for its ceviche (plant-based ones available too), chillis and Chinese inspired stir-fried dishes. In this bowl, I’ve taken Peru’s most classic ingredients and put them together for the perfect Andes inspired buddha bowl. You can top the bowl with lots of lime and olive oil or even better, ‘leche de tigre‘, the delicious juices leftover after making ceviche.
To make a Peruvian Buddha Bowl, you’ll need (1 portion):
- A single serving of quinoa
- Half a roasted sweet potato
- A handful of sweetcorn or corn on the cob
- Half an avocado
- Mushroom ceviche/stir-fried mushrooms or another plant-based ceviche
- Coriander (Cilantro) to serve
INDIAN INSPIRED BOWL
With all the spices, flavours and ingredients of Indian cuisine, making an Indian inspired buddha bowl is so much fun. In order to make mine, I think about all my favourite Indian curries and their ingredients and flavours. In this bowl, I’ve used some classic Indian plant-based ingredients which are so versatile and can be combined with any veggies or store cupboard ingredients. This bowl takes no more than 30 minutes to make- perfect for a speedy lunch or dinner when you don’t have much time to spare.
To make an Indian Buddha Bowl, you’ll need (1 portion):
- A serving of brown or white basmati rice
- Indian spiced roasted chickpeas
- Masala roasted cauliflower (roast cauliflower with store-bought masala spice mix powder)
- Half a chopped tomato
- Sliced cucumber
- Thinly sliced red cabbage
- A handful of wilted spinach
- Coriander/Cilantro to serve
What are your favourite vegan buddha bowl combinations? Let me know in the comments below, I’d love to hear from you.
Related posts you might like:
The Perfect Vegan Burritos Recipe
Herby Quinoa Chickpea Salad (Vegan and Gluten-Free)
6 Ways to Experience Food Culture While Traveling as a Vegan
Peanut Butter Bliss Balls + Other Simple Energy Ball Variations
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