This Vegan Buddha Bowl recipe features the most luscious lemon tahini dressing. It is a delicious gluten-free grain bowl with a rainbow of vegetables. Perfect for healthy meal prep.

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Healthy Buddha bowl recipes like this plant-based power bowl are my version of healthy comfort food. Other yummy vegan entrees we love are this Walnut Bolognese and this Vegan Pad Thai. Check out all of our tasty Vegan Recipes!

What is a Buddha bowl? Is a Buddha bowl vegan? Buddha bowls are generally a vegetarian dish featuring different grains, fresh veggies, and different Buddha bowl sauces. It is meant to look abundant and to be a full rounded dish resembling Buddha’s belly. They are also known as power bowls, macro bowls, hippie bowls, and grain bowls.

This bowls vegan, and the recipe is super filling. It is packed with vegetarian protein and then tossed together with a rich tahini sauce dressing. This Buddha bowl dressing is so delicious you will drizzle it on everything!

Ingredients for this Recipe:

Let’s start with the base:

lentils (how to cook lentils)
brown rice (how to cook brown rice)
onion
bell peppers
garlic
kale
lemon

Dressing for Buddha bowl:

tahini
nutritional yeast
garlic
olive oil
salt + pepper

healthy ingredients waiting to be prepped

If you ever wondered how to use tahini, this vegan dressing is the answer. I love drenching this power veggie bowl in this silky, creamy, yet tangy dressing.

How to Make Vegan Buddha Bowls – Step by Step

First, start by prepping everything.

Cook the grains
Make the dressing
Chop the veggies

The nice thing about vegan recipes is all the beautiful bright colors! You notice it when chopping red peppers, green parsley and kale, purple onions, and yellow lemons. A rainbow!

Onto the next step!

Get those veggies in the pan to saute.

chopped peppers and onions sauteing in a cast iron skillet.

Once the veggies are crisp-tender, in goes the chopped kale. There is a TON of kale in this recipe.

It could totally be called a kale bowl.

chopped kale being stirred in a large skillet.

Next, add the grains and the lemon tahini sauce dressing.

Look at the silkiness!

lemon tahini dressing being poured over cooked brown rice and lentils in a large cast iron skillet.

Finally, more green stuff with a handful of freshly chopped parsley.

I LOVE the smell of fresh parsley. It’s like aromatherapy for me.

freshly chopped parsley being stirred in.

These healthy lunch bowls are based on one of my fave Oh She Glows recipes. A classic from waaaay back in the day. It’s an absolute favorite of mine, and it has been in our rotation for literally years.

I’ve made it for friends who also love it. My friend Melody calls it her Princess Bowl.

Serving Suggestions and Substitutions:

Boost the protein by topping this bowl with pan-fried tofu! It is quick, easy, and extra crispy for added texture.

Garnish with a wedge of fresh citrus for a spritz of lemon juice or lime juice.
For even more creaminess, add fresh avocado.
Substitute the veggies for whatever you fancy! Some variations include sweet potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, carrots, brussels sprouts, red cabbage, tomato, beets, butternut squash, etc. Use what is in season.
Substitute different legumes and grains like chickpeas, black beans, quinoa, or barley. Add vegetarian protein like tofu.
Instead of parsley, other fresh herbs are also delicious. Cilantro, basil, and mint are all lovely.
Add some crunch by sprinkling in pumpkin seeds, walnuts, sesame seeds, or peanuts.
Slices of sweet fresh fruit can also be delightful, like strawberries or mango.
To reheat this dish, scoop it into a small saucepan and set it over medium-low heat. I stir it occasionally until it is warmed through, which takes about five minutes. Or reheat in a microwave.

More Vegan Meal Recipes:

**This recipe was originally posted on November 19, 2014, and updated on July 3, 2020, and again on December 16, 2021, with recipe notes, writing, and photos.**

If you’ve tried my Vegan Buddha Bowl, please rate the recipe and let me know how it turned out by leaving a comment below. I’m always interested in feedback!

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