Customizable Grain Bowl (Print Version)

Layer grains, proteins, and fresh vegetables for a satisfying meal that adapts to your taste.

# Ingredient List:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup cooked brown rice
02 - 1 cup cooked quinoa
03 - 1 cup cooked farro
04 - 1 cup cooked couscous, gluten-free if needed

→ Proteins

05 - 1 cup cooked and cubed chicken breast
06 - 1 cup baked tofu, cubed
07 - 1 cup cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
08 - 1 cup cooked shrimp

→ Vegetables

09 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
10 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
11 - 1 cup roasted sweet potato, cubed
12 - 1 cup steamed broccoli florets
13 - 1 cup shredded carrots
14 - 1 avocado, sliced

→ Toppings and Extras

15 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese, optional
16 - 1/4 cup toasted seeds or nuts such as pumpkin seeds or almonds
17 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs such as cilantro or parsley
18 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

→ Dressings

19 - 1/4 cup lemon-tahini dressing
20 - 1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette
21 - 1/4 cup soy-ginger dressing
22 - 1/4 cup green goddess dressing

# How to Make:

01 - Prepare grains according to package instructions. Fluff with a fork and allow to cool slightly before assembly.
02 - Cook, bake, or prepare your chosen protein. Use freshly cooked or leftover prepared protein as preferred.
03 - Wash and chop all vegetables. Roast or steam as preferred, or use raw for a fresh crunch.
04 - Arrange a base layer of cooked grains in each serving bowl. Layer selected protein and vegetables on top.
05 - Sprinkle crumbled cheese, toasted seeds or nuts, fresh herbs, and sesame seeds over the bowl contents.
06 - Drizzle your preferred dressing over the bowl immediately before serving for optimal flavor and texture.
07 - For meal preparation, store grain base, proteins, vegetables, toppings, and dressing in separate containers. Combine when ready to serve.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get to play chef and decide everything, so no two bowls ever feel boring or forced.
  • Most of it can be prepped on Sunday while listening to a podcast, then you're set for the whole week.
  • It's genuinely impossible to mess up because the beauty is in the mix-and-match nature.
02 -
  • Don't dress the entire bowl in advance if you're making it more than a couple hours ahead—the acid breaks down the vegetables and everything turns into mush by dinner.
  • Avocado is your last-minute addition, always, or it'll brown and look sad before you eat it.
03 -
  • Toast your seeds and nuts in a dry pan for two minutes right before serving—the warmth releases oils and makes them taste twice as good as they do straight from the pantry.
  • If you're meal prepping for someone who doesn't like change, build a template bowl one time and stick with it; the familiarity is actually comforting.
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