Vegan Bowl Guide: Simple & Healthy

Don’t know what to cook today and think you have no ingredients at home? Go through this guide to make a balanced healthy vegan bowl of yumminess like in restaurants. You know when you go to those restaurants where you go down a list of options like at Chipotle, Cava, or poke bowl places. Well, imagine that but at home.

This is not like a typical recipe. It is tailored for individuals with some cooking experience as it is more of a guide and idea generator. The “choose X” are simply guidelines, of course, you can personalize it how you’d like.

For the times you’re looking for a nice meal but can’t come up with the right combination or a balanced meal. This guides you through constructing your bowl as you cook the specific ingredients to your liking.

Even if you’re not vegan, there’s a good chance you’ll have at least one item in each category in your home to make a vegan buddha bowl.

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1. Base (choose 1)

• potatoes – white, sweet, fingerling, russet
• rice – brown, white, wild, black
• other whole grains – quinoa, buckwheat, millet, sorghum

2. Veggies (choose 2-3)

• salad – romaine, spinach, arugula, kale, chard
• cruciferous – brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, broccolini, bok choy
• other – zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, pumpkin, spaghetti squash, peas, corn, carrots
• fungi – mushroom

3. Vegan Protein (choose 1-2)

• beans – chickpeas, black beans, pinto beans, great northern beans, kidney beans
• dip – hummus, bean dip
• soy – tempeh, edamame, tofu, soy curls, TVP
• lentils – brown, red, green

4. Toppings (choose 1-all)

• veggies – avocado, microgreens, green onions, tomato, pickled onion, cucumber, olives
• nuts/seeds – pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, walnuts
• fresh herbs – parsley, cilantro, basil, dill
• spices – paprika, black pepper, parsley, garlic
• nutritional yeast

5. Sauce (choose 1-2)

• tahini (or tahini sauce)
• coconut aminos (or tamari)
• balsamic vinegar
• peanut sauce
• vinaigrette

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Basic Instructions

1. cook base: boil, air fry, or bake
2. cook veggies & cook/prep protein
   • stir fry, roast, bake, air fry, fresh, or blend
   • can use sauces for cooking
   • option: cook veggies and protein(s) together
3. construct together: base, vegetables, & protein
4. top with desired toppings & sauce(s)

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Below are some examples to look at as well as the two on the top of the page.

• Restaurants in San Diego that offer bowls: 5 Best Gluten Free & Celiac Friendly Eateries in San Diego

• Pinterest