Rainbow Buddha Bowl With Quinoa (Printable)

Nourishing quinoa bowl with colorful vegetables, chickpeas, and creamy tahini dressing

# What You’ll Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Protein

04 - 1 cup cooked chickpeas, drained if canned

→ Vegetables

05 - 1 cup red cabbage, thinly sliced
06 - 1 cup carrots, julienned
07 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
08 - 1 cup yellow bell pepper, sliced
09 - 1 cup cucumber, sliced
10 - 1 cup fresh baby spinach

→ Healthy Fats & Toppings

11 - 1 ripe avocado, sliced
12 - 2 tablespoons toasted pumpkin seeds
13 - 2 tablespoons sesame seeds

→ Dressing

14 - 3 tablespoons tahini
15 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
16 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
17 - 2 tablespoons water, plus more as needed
18 - 1 clove garlic, minced
19 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# How-To:

01 - In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add rinsed quinoa and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat, let rest for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
02 - While quinoa cooks, slice red cabbage, julienne carrots, halve cherry tomatoes, slice bell pepper, cucumber, and avocado. Keep all vegetables separate and ready for assembly.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, minced garlic, 2 tablespoons water, salt, and black pepper until smooth. Add additional water as needed to achieve pourable consistency.
04 - Divide cooked quinoa evenly among 4 bowls. Arrange chickpeas, red cabbage, carrots, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, cucumber, and spinach in distinct colorful sections on top of quinoa base.
05 - Drizzle each bowl generously with tahini dressing. Sprinkle pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds over each bowl. Serve immediately while quinoa is warm.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes, making weeknight dinners feel less like a chore and more like self-care.
  • You can prep components in advance and assemble fresh bowls throughout the week without getting bored.
  • The tahini dressing is creamy and satisfying enough that you won't miss heavier sauces.
02 -
  • Never skip rinsing quinoa unless you enjoy a soapy, bitter aftertaste that no amount of dressing can mask.
  • Slice your avocado just before assembly, as exposure to air turns it an unappetizing gray faster than you'd think possible.
03 -
  • Toast your own seeds and nuts instead of buying pre-toasted if you have five minutes, as the difference in flavor intensity is worth the effort.
  • Warm the bowl slightly before adding hot quinoa, as it keeps everything at a pleasant temperature longer and makes the whole experience feel more luxurious.
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