16 Grain Bowl Recipes to Elevate Your Meal Prep

I’ve been obsessed with bowls for the longest time.

It’s such an easy way to meal prep, eat healthier, and have your meals look aesthetically pleasing. I mean you’re just throwing a whole bunch of ingredients of your choice into one dish and calling it good, so how does someone not like bowls?

Also, grain bowls are just a great way to make sure you’re packing in as much nutrients as possible. You’re getting healthy carbs, healthy fats, protein, and veggies. It’s almost a life hack for making simple + nutritious recipes that actually taste good.

And beyond the health and convenience aspect, bowls really are customizable. You can take grain bowl recipes and add or take out any ingredients you want. So for instance, you can max out the flavor and add a sauce the recipe didn’t call for, add extra protein if you’re working out, sub out one grain for another, or even omit a veggie you’re not crazy about. You really are in control.

And if you’re looking for healthy bowls to simplify your meal prepping, then I think these flavorful meals are definitely try-worthy

1. BBQ Salmon Bowls With Mango Avocado Salsa

This is the kind of grain bowl you make when you’re feeling a bit extra.

You have homemade mango salsa, smoky spiced salmon, jalapeños, and other components that make this not your ordinary weeknight dinner.

Also, it’s done in just 25 minutes which means you have no excuse to order UberEats.

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2. Healthy Korean Ground Beef Bowls

This is for the people who are kind of addicted to Korean anything (me). And if this is also you, then this is the healthy bowl to try for your meal prep Sundays.

It’s a quick and easy go-to dinner option (10 minutes of prep + 10 minutes of cooking), and you could also mix and match it with other tasty ingredients. So think a nice gochujang sauce, a bit of carrot or zucchini, or maybe some kimchi. It’s up to you.

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3. Healthy Burrito Bowl

I love burritos in bowl form. Again, it’s highly customizable and an easy way to mix things up on a slow weeknight. You can add your favorite sauces, change up the cheese, or even spice up the black beans a bit differently.

And whether you’re making lunch bowls the night before or a quick weeknight dinner, it’s a great way to eat well and not be tempted to get takeout.

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4. Spicy Peanut Tofu Bowls

I love healthy bowls recipes, but I love them even more when they have some sort of delicious Asian-inspired sauce. It makes dishes so much more flavorful and enjoyable. I mean you have garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil (liquid gold), chili paste, honey, and other ingredients that makes this so eatable. And if you like hot, steaming rice and veggies soaked in good flavors, then put this on your list of grain bowl ideas to try.

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5. Huli Huli Chicken Bowls

I feel like this is a great recipe to add to your roster of healthy lunch bowls.

It’s fresh, bright, flavorful, and perfect for meal prepping and taking to work. Huli huli chicken is made with a flavorful teriyaki-like sauce which makes this great to pair with rice and fresh veggies. So if you want to be a bit more healthy but not cut out the flavor, then this is a good option to try.

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6. Cilantro Orange Chicken With Rice and Beans

I haven’t even tried this recipe yet and I’m already addicted. And when it comes to meal prep bowls, I feel like this one is top tier. In fact, I have no idea why I didn’t put this recipe at the top of the list.

Like how does one simply scroll past a grain bowl recipe like this?

It’s cilantro orange chicken with yellow rice, mango, and avocado. It’s clearly a no-brainer for meal prep or a really good healthy dinner.

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7. Crunchy Roll Bowls

I kind of have an addiction to crunchy rolls, so the fact that I can get it in bowl form is kind of making me excited.

And for this grain bowl, you have sticky rice, crunchy onions, a protein of your choice soaked in teriyaki sauce, and other ingredients that makes that super tasty. Also, if you’re looking for a quick dinner that’s ready in just 30 minutes, then this is your answer.

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8. Salmon Quinoa Bowl With Maple Cider Vinaigrette

I feel like this is a grain bowl you make when you wanna feel a bit fancy. You have a soft bed of quinoa, some color greens and sweet potato, spiced salmon, and pomegranate seeds sprinkled on top. This could also be a great recipe to make when guests are coming over. Just a thought!

Oh also, I feel like this recipe is just asking to be drizzled in your personal favorite sauce. 🤷‍♀️

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9. Steak and Rice Bowl

Steak and rice bowls are kind of the best. It’s a hearty, satisfying, and flavorful meal that’s perfect for extreme afternoon hunger (lunchtime) or when you really need a big dinner after a tiring day. Also, I like that it’s paired with fresh veggies; it adds so much color and freshness to the bowl.

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10. Fresh Tuna & Brown Rice Bowl

I love super simple grain bowls which is why I made this recipe. It was healthy, flavorful, and fresh.

Here are the ingredients:

• Fresh tuna: Make sure it’s safe to eat raw. Season however you like and cook lightly on each side.
• Sweet potatoes: Season with salt, rosemary, and garlic powder. Cook in a pan with olive oil until lightly golden brown.
• Avocado: Drizzle in olive oil + spices of your choice.
• Brown rice: Plain or spiced, it’s up to you.

11. Korean-Inspired Meatball Bowls

This bowl looks so satisfying. With the tangy kimchi, creamy and spicy mayo, and flavorful meatballs, it’s a nice dinner to enjoy after a long day.

Pro-tip: I’d suggest using ground chicken instead of ground beef. I haven’t tried it for this recipe, but I’ve found that ground chicken soaks up more flavor and is a lot more juicy.

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12. Copycat Panera Bread Baja Bowl

There are so many healthy ingredients which makes this a nice recipe for healthy meal prepping. You have healthy grains like quinoa and brown rice, chicken breast, plenty of veggies, and a flavorful cilantro lime dressing. Perfect for when you’re craving something light and tasty.

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13. California Roll Rice Bowls

I feel like this is a great bowl recipe for summer dinners. There’s so much color and fresh ingredients. Also, she suggests topping it with Sriracha or Sambal Oelek, but I think a nice tare sauce would work too!

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14. Buddha Bowls

If you’re really hungry but you also wanna go for something that’s not a calorific takeout dinner, then this Buddha bowl is for you. Also, this really does sound like something I’d make and eat at least 6 out of the 7 nights in the week.

It has Cotija cheese, sweet potato, avocado, nuts, chipotle chiles, quinoa, and so many other good ingredients.

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15. Mediterranean Meatball Bowl 

I love Mediterranean-inspired recipes, they’re so flavorful and refreshing. And this grain bowl has healthy brown rice, fresh veggies, spiced turkey meatballs, feta cheese, hummus, and a nice tzatziki sauce. It’s a great recipe to add to your healthy meal prep so you can hit your weight loss goals but not feel deprived.

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16. Harvest Bowls

If it’s the fall (or even if it’s not) then this is a super flavorful and healthy bowl recipe you can make for your lunches and dinners.

Also, the bowl has a base of coconut rice, the meat and veg are spiced with curry, and it’s topped with a delicious sounding sweet curry sauce. So if you’re craving something Asian-inspired, then this might just be your new go-to.

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