They’re packed with variety, nutrition and flavour. So why not try these vegan bowl recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner?
By Lora O’Brien
Who doesn’t love eating from a bowl? They fit in our hands so easily and allow us to dig deep into the delights inside. Plus, you can pack a lot into a bowl – especially if it’s a lovely, deep one.
Bowl based meals have become super popular these days because:
- they’re full of variety, meaning no boredom
- usually, they’re fairly easy to throw together
- they are packed with nutrition, thanks to the diversity of their ingredients
- even beginner chefs can pull of a truly delicious one
The origins of bowl meals
Most people probably think of a steaming bowl of ramen noodles as being the ultimate ‘bowl food,’ and with good reason. After all, the roots for this way of eating definitely start in Asia. Koreans, for example, love their Bibimbap (bowls packed with meat, rice and veggies), and the Japanese adore their rice-veg-chicken-egg Donburi bowls (considered the ultimate in Japanese comfort food).
But today, Asian bowls have been adapted by vegans to include all the ingredients WE love. Sure, the rice and veggies can stay the same, but we go heavier on the latter, and add some vegan protein, like nuts, tofu or beans.
In fact, you can pretty much make vegan bowl recipes by just adding in any of the following that tickle your fancy:
- a starch, like brown or white rice or quinoa
- a protein, like tofu, chickpeas, lentils or seitan
- veggies – pretty much anything goes
- a sauce, such as tahini, hot sauce, vegan ranch, or a drizzle of lemon and olive oil
- something textured, like soft hummus or avocado, or crispy roast potatoes or breaded cauliflower
- a sprinkle of something, like sesame seeds, organic sunflower seeds, or chopped green onions
Easy, right?
But just in case you’re not sure which taste combos really go well together, I’ve found over 20 vegan bowl recipes for you to try, below. And since there’s also a trend these days for smoothie bowls, I’ve included a few of those here, too.
Enjoy!
Vegan Bowl Recipes For All Meals
1. Dark Chocolate Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
Yes, chocolate for breakfast. And why the heck not? This is one of those vegan bowl ideas that’s perfect for those of us with a sweet tooth. It may look unhealthy, but there’s actually loads of pure, plant-based goodness in here. Amen to that!
Get the recipe here.
2. Raw Cacao & Date Smoothie Bowl
Hungry in the morning? This is one of the most filling vegan bowl ideas! It’s super creamy thanks to all the banana, almond butter, avocado and coconut yogurt. It’s sweetened from gooey medjool dates and then finished off with a boost of chocolate thanks to the cacao.
Get the recipe here.
3. Oatmeal Bowl with Grapefruit & Pistachios
Yep, I’m a Northern Brit. For me, there’s nothing more fuelling in the morning than porridge. So, I think this recipe is the bomb! The creamy porridge is topped with fresh citrus fruits and roasted pistachio nuts. Then, it’s drizzled with a yummy, sweet tahini dressing. If you don’t eat honey, just substitute this for maple syrup.
Get the recipe here.
4. Mango, Kiwi & Chia Seed Smoothie Bowl
This tropically infused smoothie is super hydrating, with a load of nutrients and minerals. Almond milk is used as the base. Bananas add a creaminess, and the blend of mango and kiwi fruit give it that taste of the tropics. Chia seeds add an antioxidant boost. You can top it with nuts, desiccated coconut and seeds to make it all pretty.
Get the recipe here.
5. Raw Apple & Cinnamon Chia Seed Breakfast Bowl
If you want the comfort of a bowl of oats without standing over a hot stove, then this is one of the best vegan bowl recipes for you. This dish has the warming spices of an apple pie without a single grain of flour in sight! The mixture in apples and medjool dates with some chia seeds thrown in for texture. Top with lots of crunchy walnuts, juicy raisins and hemp seeds for an extra nutritional boost. Why not serve it up to someone you love for breakfast in bed?
Get the recipe here.
6. Farmers Market Vegan Breakfast Bowl
I love making tofu scramble! I put it into a bowl so that it can be mixed with a whole bunch of other ingredients. And you can pretty much use whatever’s in season or what’s already in your fridge. I often have leftover veggies, so vegan bowl recipes like this are a great way to waste less food and use them all up!
Get the recipe here.
7. Savory Oatmeal with Tempeh
Oatmeal isn’t just for the sweeter dishes in life – this recipe uses it in a savory way. The oatmeal makes the base, and kale, black beans and tempeh bacon go on top. This recipe is one of the best vegan bowl ideas to pack in those vegan proteins, too!
Get the recipe here.
8. Avocado Quinoa Harvest Bowl
This avocado quinoa harvest bowl is going to revolutionise the way you eat your veggies! There’s a quinoa base topped with sauteed brussels sprouts. But if you’re not a fan of the sprouts, know this: when you boil them they tend to go mushy. But when you bake them, they become crispy, and are way more delicious! Throw on some pumpkin seeds and arugula and drizzle with tahini and you’re good to go.
Get the recipe here.
9. Spring Asparagus & Baby Kale Quinoa Salad
Quinoa makes a really great base for vegan bowl recipes, as it’s a high protein grain whose nutty taste goes with just about anything. Here, kale is mixed with lots of asparagus, scallions, sliced almonds and dried cranberries for an infusion of both texture and flavour. But it’s the sweet dressing that takes this salad to the next level!
Get the recipe here.
10. Deconstructed Falafel Bowl
Love falafels? Why not break ’em down into a salad bowl? The chickpeas are coated with falafel seasonings and then baked until nice and crispy. Then you can start to build your bowl with fresh lettuce and pickled turnips (you could use onions or radishes if you prefer) and juicy tomatoes. Choose your favourite grain to make a tabouleh, and then add a dollop of hummus. You could add a little tahini and hot sauce for a easy dressing, or just opt for some fresh lemon.
Get the recipe here.
11. Oriental Lemongrass Tofu Bowls
If you’re looking for new and wonderful ways to use tofu, then this is one of the best vegan bowl recipes for you! The fresh lemongrass adds a unique freshness to the dish and you can pretty much throw anything into the stir-fry, from broccoli and carrot ribbons to edamame beans and cabbage. Top the dish off with tofu and avocado, and you’re for an Asian inspired dish that tastes out of this world!
Get the recipe here.
12. Cauliflower Rice Sushi Bowls with Tofu
Cauliflower rice is a great option for vegan bowl ideas if you’re looking for a low-carb option. Top with veggies of your choice. I’d opt for cucumber, fresh peppers, chunks of avocado and some pickled onions! And let’s not forget the nori – crush it up and sprinkle over the top as a garnish. BTW, this is a great bowl recipe for detoxing!
Get the recipe here.
13. Oh She Glows Vegan Bowl
This is one of those vegan bowl ideas that’s super simple! It’s just a bunch of fresh veggies and grains with some hummus and avocado. It’s far from dry, so there’s no real need for a dressing! But if you do love yourself a saucy bowl, we’d recommend a nutty Lemon-Tahini dressing for this one.
Get the recipe here.
14. Vegan Burrito Bowl
If you think you have to head down to Chipotle to get a dish that’s bursting with Mexican flavour, think again! It’s all here: corn, beans, guac, rice, cilantro, tomato…you name it! If you’re a fan of Mexican food, this is one of the best vegan bowl ideas for you!
Get the recipe here.
15. Pulo Grilled Tofu Bowl with Greens & Cashews
Flavoursome grilled tofu sits on a bed of grilled bok choy, sweet and salty candied cashew nuts, crispy green onion and lots of fluffy rice. The Pulo’s Pineapple Tamarind marinade in the star of the show; drizzle it over the top so you get some with every bite of this delicious bowl.
Get the recipe here.
16. Crispy Cauliflower Power Bowls with Lime Rice
Cauliflower is steadily getting better press thanks to the vegan community revolutionising the way in which we view this veggie. Once upon a time, a bland and at times mushy side dish, it’s now the star of the show! It can be used to recreate all kinds of foods from buffalo wings to tacos. And this is one of those vegan bowl recipes captures its wonderful versatility, with the crisp coating and zesty cilantro and lime rice. Delicious!
Get the recipe here.
17. Roasted Veggie Quinoa Vegan Lunch Bowl
This bowl looks so damn healthy, it probably cures death! Garlic broccoli, roasted soy chickpeas, chili lime kale and curried sweet potatoes mean this is one of the best vegan bowl ideas if you’re craving a variety of delicious flavours.
Get the recipe here.
18. Crispy Korean Tofu Noodle Bowls
I’m diggin’ this Korean inspired bowl! It’s one of my fave vegan bowl ideas. The tofu is sweet and spicy and is super quick and easy to make. All you need to do then is dress some soba noodles and pan-fry the tofu cubes. Then, serve with some pineapple and spicy kimchi, and you’ve got yourself a real infusion of flavour!
Get the recipe here.
19. Easy Vegan Nacho Bowl
Smack your tastebuds to life with this vegan nacho bowl recipe! It’s bursting with veggies, is packed full of vitamins, and has a base of complex carbs to sustain you and keep you fuller for longer. The best part? That tangy salsa that’s all over the place…yum! But this is also one of the best vegan bowl ideas for sharing.
Get the recipe here.
20. Forbidden Rice Buddha Bowl with Crispy Tofu
Forbidden rice may at one stage have been reserved for Chinese emperors. But we’re all going to feel like royalty after tucking into this soulfully good dish! This black rice is all mixed up with purple cabbage, kale and a mixture of cilantro, green onions and lime wedges. Then it’s dressed with a coconut, almond and lime sauce and served alongside some sesame carrots. Prepare to feast on one of the tastiest vegan bowl ideas ever!
Get the recipe here.
21. Vegan Fish Taco Bowl
This fishy dish is one of the most unique vegan bowl recipes ever! The ‘fishy’ component itself is heart of palms that are mixed with dulse seaweed flakes which gives it that distinct fishy/salty flavour. This is then mixed with a crunchy slaw and pico de gallo which is basically a really fresh tasting salsa made using fresh tomatoes, onions, cilantro and a little spice from jalapeños and then tossed with lime juice. This is a really fresh-tasting recipe that’s a bit different!
Get the recipe here.
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