10 Amazingly Tasty, Healthy Grain Bowl Recipes
Looking for easy, healthy meals that don’t leave your taste buds disappointed? Grain bowls deliver! They give you all the nutrition you’re looking for with tons of flavor. Plus, the concept offers limitless options for customizing.
What are grain bowls?
A grain bowl combines healthy, flavorful ingredients that create a nutritionally balanced meal. On top of that, they’re typically easy to prepare and are also aesthetically pleasing (hello, Instagram).
Grain bowls usually include five categories of ingredients:
- Whole grain base
- Protein
- Vegetables
- Sauce
- Toppings
The result is a beautiful meal that tastes delicious, includes complementary textures, and provides plenty of nutritional value.
Common Ingredients
The options for creating inspiring grain bowls are endless. Here are some ideas for ingredients to have on hand so you can whip up an amazing meal any day of the week.
Grains: Quinoa, barley, farro, brown rice
Proteins: Salmon, chicken, steak, eggs, shrimp, tofu, beans, tuna, tempeh
Vegetables: Zucchini, carrots, avocado, tomatoes, eggplant, spinach, kale, Swiss chard, cucumbers, cabbage
Sauces: Salsa, tahini, tapenade, hummus, pesto, harissa, cashew dressing
Toppings: Crumbled cheese, chopped nuts, herbs, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, olives, sauerkraut
Dive into the benefits of grain bowls
Making grain bowl meals comes with tons of perks that go well beyond satisfying your taste buds.
Easy way to meal prep: You’ll have ingredients ready in the refrigerator so you can mix and match for a variety of grain bowls throughout the week.
Creates a balanced meal: Grain bowls contain protein, whole grains, and lots of vegetables. Plus, they taste good!
Minimizes mess: Making a grain bowl doesn’t require a ton of pots and pans. Chopping vegetables and cooking your protein and grains is all it takes for a meal to come together.
Great for any time of the day: Grain bowls are practically the definition of flexibility. Eat them for lunch or dinner; you can even find some breakfast-inspired recipes!
How to make a grain bowl
Quality ingredients make all the difference in creating a wow-worthy grain bowl. Using fresh proteins and vegetables really helps the flavors pop. It’s also important to think about texture. Try pairing soft grains with a contrasting crunchy topping. You can also kick things up with pickled vegetables and savory sauces.
Another way to make a grain bowl interesting is to opt for flavors inspired by cuisines in different parts of the world. Here are some ideas:
- Mediterranean
- Mexican
- Japanese
- Korean
- Thai
- Vietnamese
Use globally inspired flavors and toppings to reinvent grain bowls over and over again. You can also focus on in-season vegetables to enjoy the freshness and flavors that come with being in tune with your own region’s natural cycle.
10 Healthy Grain Bowl Recipes
Ready to start cooking (and eating)? Here are some of Sunbasket’s favorite grain bowls to try at home
Salmon-quinoa bowls with greens
Heart-healthy salmon gets dressed up with a delicious citrus dressing that packs a punch. Both quinoa and greens round out this standout dish, and you’ll find multiple protein variations in case you don’t love fish.
Spicy harissa tofu and quinoa bowls
Allow us to introduce harissa, a popular North African condiment that’s even better (gasp!) than sriracha. It adds bright, spicy flavor to just about anything—including these healthy grain bowls with chickpeas and carrots.
Black bean and quinoa buddha bowls
For a grain bowl recipe that leaves you feeling nourished and well balanced, try this protein-packed option that’s also heavy on the veggies. A zesty punch of lime brings all the flavors in this one together.
Quinoa-spinach grain bowls with feta
One of our favorite Mediterranean grain bowls, this meal is our take on spanakorizo. The feta and fresh dill are a match made in heaven that work together perfectly in this dish. Greek countryside, here you come.
Hawaiian poke bowl with yellowfin tuna
You won’t believe you’re eating a home-cooked meal instead of some high-end takeout when you choose this recipe. This healthy grain bowl features fresh yellowfin tuna with sesame-ginger marinade for a meal to remember.
Black rice bowl with delicata squash
The earthy flavors of this grain bowl make it the perfect meal for cool, cozy nights. Pears and delicata squash add a touch of sweetness and work well with the luxuriously creamy (yet dairy-free) cashew dressing.
Mayan butter bean and quinoa bowls
Achieve the deep flavor of traditional Mayan beans in a fraction of the time with this easy meal prep grain bowl. Top with fresh avocado for richness, citrus for brightness, and roasted pumpkin seeds for a pleasant crunch.
Salmon farro bowls with green goddess
Farro as the base with our homemade green goddess make this salmon dish a truly divine protein grain bowl. What makes the dressing so good? Mayo, fresh green herbs, and anchovy paste—it’s like a Caesar on herbs.
Quinoa tofu bowls with lime dressing
Look no further for a Vietnamese-inspired grain bowl. This combination of pickled vegetables and delectably creamy cashew-lime dressing is sure to please. Using tofu as your protein makes this a nice vegan option.
How Sunbasket helps you eat healthy without sacrificing taste
Sunbasket’s meal delivery allows you to create perfectly portioned grain bowls without all of the time-consuming prep work. And with fresh, high-quality ingredients, you won’t be tempted with unhealthy takeout options. Instead, you’ll have delicious, healthy meals delivered straight to your door with minimal cooking required.
Sunbasket also offers Fresh & Ready meals that go straight into the microwave or oven. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a grain bowl during a work-from-home lunch break. And with regularly rotating recipes developed by award-winning chefs, you’ll be excited to open your Sunbasket delivery box each week, no matter which option you choose.
