Three-Bean Power Bowl (Print Version)

Protein-rich medley of beans, quinoa, fresh vegetables, and zesty dressing perfect for satisfying meals.

# Ingredient List:

→ Beans

01 - 1 cup cooked black beans, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 cup cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
03 - 1 cup cooked kidney beans, drained and rinsed

→ Grains

04 - 1 cup cooked quinoa or brown rice

→ Vegetables

05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
07 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
08 - 1 cup baby spinach or mixed greens
09 - 1 medium avocado, sliced
10 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced

→ Dressing

11 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
12 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
13 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
14 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
15 - 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
16 - 1 garlic clove, minced
17 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Garnish

18 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
19 - 2 tablespoons toasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds, optional

# How to Make:

01 - Wash and prepare all vegetables by halving cherry tomatoes, dicing cucumber and bell pepper, slicing red onion, and slicing avocado. Set prepared ingredients aside.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined and emulsified.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, and spinach.
04 - Add the cooked quinoa or brown rice to the vegetable and bean mixture.
05 - Pour the prepared dressing over the mixture and gently toss until all components are evenly coated.
06 - Divide the mixture into four serving bowls and top each portion with sliced avocado.
07 - Sprinkle each bowl with fresh cilantro or parsley and toasted seeds if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 40 minutes flat, which means you can have a restaurant-worthy lunch without the restaurant.
  • Three types of beans create a protein powerhouse that keeps you satisfied for hours, no meat required.
  • Every vegetable choice is yours to make—swap, add, or skip based on what's calling to you that day.
  • It's the kind of bowl that tastes better on day two, making it perfect for meal prep without sacrificing flavor.
02 -
  • If you're using canned beans, rinsing them thoroughly removes the excess sodium and the slightly metallic taste that can linger if you skip this step—it genuinely makes a difference.
  • The avocado goes on top at the very end, not mixed in earlier, because it will turn that sad gray-brown color if it sits with the acidic dressing too long.
03 -
  • Toasting your own seeds in a dry pan for two minutes transforms them from bland to nutty and adds the kind of textural surprise that makes you keep reaching back to the bowl.
  • If you're making this for guests, you can prep everything ahead and let them assemble their own bowls with toppings on the side, which somehow makes the meal feel more interactive and fun.
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