While the phrase âBuddha Bowlâ is relatively contemporary, grain bowls have been a dietary staple for centuries. In 2017, Epicurious writer Katherine Sacks sought to unpack the origin of the name, and found that the dishâwhich consists of a grain base, vegetables, and a decadent sauceâhas no literal or symbolic tie to Buddha. While Buddha did carry a bowl in which villagers placed food as a donation, Buddhist dietary principles are more focused on when we eat, versus what we eat.Â
This flexibility in composition might be the most important tenet of the Buddha Bowl: Put simply, fill it with whatever you like! Buddha Bowls are traditionally vegan, colorful, and mix textures and flavors that complement one another, but there are no real rules! Hereâs a breakdown of how you could start to fill your bowl. Â
Base
Try filling your bowl with brown rice, farro, or quinoa. If youâre feeling like plants over grains, give zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice, or a root vegetable mash a shot!Â
Vegetables
Anything goes, here! Pick whatâs in season, or go with your regular favorites. Mix warm roasted veggies with some raw varieties to play with texture.Â
Protein
If youâre craving a bit more protein, tofu, beans, tempeh, and seitan are great options for plant-based protein.Â
Sauce
Choose any kind of sauce that you prefer. Whether itâs a green goddess, a garlic aioli, or a simple lemon vinaigrette, you canât go wrong.Â
Toppings
Donât forget the crunch! Adding sunflower seeds, almonds, or cashews will add a lot to any bowl. Or go the acidic route by topping with vegetable pickles or picked ginger. Cashew cheese can satisfy any dairy craving, too.
Looking for side-dish inspiration? Here are the five of the top sides Grubhub customers have ordered alongside Buddha Bowls this year:Â
- sweet potato fries
- chicken wings
- spicy cauliflower dippers
- thai coconut salad
- french fries