15 Grain Bowl Recipes Ideal for Meal Preparation

      Once, if you had inquired about my favorite food, I would probably have hesitated between timeless favorites like pizza or tacos. Nowadays, however, it's clear that grain bowls have taken the top spot. Nearly every week, I meal prep various ingredients and toppings to assemble in a bowl, and it never disappoints. I firmly believe that most dishes taste even better when served in a bowl.

      From burritos to falafel to sushi, the options are limitless, and each bowl can be tailored to your preferences. Just pick a grain for your base (my favorites are rice, quinoa, and farro), add a source of protein, and then top it off with your favorite sauces and toppings. Additionally, grain bowl recipes are ideal for meal prep as you can keep all the components separate to avoid sogginess. What more could one ask for in a meal?

      If bowls are also your go-to dishware, I'm excited to share several new recipes to incorporate into your meals. These grain bowl recipes are not just deliciously balanced and filling, but they are also perfect for meal prepping this week:

      1. Buddha Bowl

      Source: Eating Bird Food

      Buddha bowls are essentially grain bowls brimming with nutrient-rich, often plant-based ingredients. This version features quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, crispy chickpeas, and fresh vegetables drizzled with a garlic tahini dressing. They are just as tasty cold, making them a great option for an office lunch.

      2. Carnitas Burrito Bowl

      Source: What’s Gaby Cooking

      The next time you have a craving for Chipotle, try making these burrito bowls instead. The carnitas require some cooking time (but the outcome is worth it, I promise!), so reserve this recipe for a laid-back Sunday when you can comfortably meal prep.

      3. Greek Chicken Bowls

      Source: Eat the Grains

      After a recent trip to Greece, I could honestly enjoy one of these Greek chicken bowls for lunch every day and be perfectly satisfied. The mix of crunchy tomato-cucumber salad, briny kalamata olives, and creamy tzatziki is simply delightful. With Greek-seasoned chicken and herb-infused rice, you’ve got the perfect components for a grain bowl.

      4. Bang Bang Salmon Bowls

      Source: Recipe Runner

      If you’ve yet to experience bang bang sauce, you’re going to want to put it on everything after your first taste. These salmon rice bowls are enhanced with cucumber edamame salsa and a generous drizzle of bang bang sauce, bringing together fresh and spicy flavors perfectly.

      5. Roasted Sweet Potato and Chickpea Bowls

      Source: Gimme Some Oven

      These roasted sweet potato and chickpea bowls can be easily personalized with your preferred grain—whether it be brown rice, farro, or quinoa, they all work wonderfully. Combined with garlicky sautéed spinach and a simple 4-ingredient chipotle tahini dressing, it’s a fantastic choice.

      6. Falafel Bowls

      Source: Eating Bird Food

      This falafel bowl recipe allows you to decide how much effort you want to invest. Many ingredients (like the falafel, hummus, and tzatziki) are readily available in grocery stores, so you can choose to go with pre-made options to save time or get creative with homemade toppings.

      7. Crunchy Roll Bowls

      Source: Pinch of Yum

      While sushi is typically not something I would try to craft at home, these crunchy roll-inspired rice bowls are simple enough for any novice. All you need to do is cook some rice, brown a block of tofu in teriyaki sauce, and fill your bowl with toppings. No rolling necessary!

      8. Hot Honey Chicken Bowl

      Source: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

      Sweetgreen is a favorite at The Everygirl office, but those bowls costing over $17 can add up. This recipe replicates their popular Hot Honey Chicken bowl with seasoned chicken, roasted sweet potatoes, red cabbage slaw, quinoa, and a zesty honey mustard dressing. The recipe yields four bowls, effectively saving you $70 each time you prepare it.

      9. Korean Beef Power Bowls

      Source: Chungah Rhee

      I often make a version of this recipe roughly every three weeks because it's just so great, and the cooking time is minimal. I enjoy making mine with rice topped with pickled carrots, cucumber, and sliced jalapeños, along with sriracha mayo from the recipe.

      10. Sheet Pan Chicken Tinga Bowls

      Source: Half Baked Harvest

      Sheet pan recipes always score points with me for their simplicity and ease of cleanup. This rice bowl recipe fits that description perfectly, with chipotle-spiced chicken and vegetables that cook unattended in the oven, paired with a chunky avocado salsa that’s quick to prepare.

      11. Thai Coconut Quinoa Bowl

      Source: Fit Foodie Finds

      This recipe cooks the quinoa in coconut milk to enhance the flavor, taking these