30 of the best gluten-free, meat/seafood, and vegan/vegetarian meal prep power bowls! These make great lunches & dinners, & all can be customized!
Fall is officially here, and that marks the start of a crazy busy schedule for so many families!
Even though I don’t have a school-aged child, fall is always busy for me, too. This year is no exception, because we’re moving to a new city in a few days, and I’ve barely had time to cook.
On top of all that, it’s time to start getting ready for the holidays, and I’m so not ready!
Eating healthy during these crazy times is not always easy, and I totally applaud those who can make time to cook healthy dinners when they have a million other things to do.
For those of you like me, who need easy meals to put together, this post is for you. 30 of the healthiest make-ahead power bowl recipes all in one place!
What is a power bowl?
Power bowls are balanced, ultra-nourishing meals that are simple to prepare ahead of time. They can include grains, meats, seafood, veggies, beans, and sauces in pretty much any combination!
They are sometimes referred to as “Buddha bowls”, which refers to the rounded nature of a nutritional packed bowl (similar to Buddha’s round belly).
Either way, they are versatile, and can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and make great make-ahead meals for busy families! Plus, they are completely customizable, so you can throw in whatever your kids will eat and leave out all the stuff they won’t!
How do you make a power bowl?
- Start with a grain like quinoa, brown rice, or farro.
- Add lean protein like chicken, turkey, salmon, tuna, beans and/or tofu.
- Top with lots of fiber-packed produce such as broccoli, avocado, carrots, spinach, roasted sweet potato, cabbage, kale, squash, bell pepper, or cauliflower.
- Add extra toppings! These could be sauces, dressings, yogurt, cheese, micro greens, hummus, pesto, sunflower seeds, almonds, fresh herbs, lemon slices, lime wedges, green onions, or sesame seeds.
Power bowls are completely versatile and customizable, but if you’re unsure where to start, here are 30 delicious power bowl recipes sorted into plant-based, gluten-free, and meat/seafood categories!
Plant-Based Power Bowls
Fall Harvest Buddha Bowl – A seriously satisfying plant-based bowl, this fall harvest Buddha bowl with creamy cashew apple cider dressing is the perfect grounding dinner to comfort you on a chilly fall night. – Kara Lydon Nutrition
Vegan Buddha Bowl – Roasted vegetables, farro, spinach, warm spices, and toasted chickpeas, a drizzle of tahini dressing, this vegan Buddha bowl is so delicious and super healthy! – Hoorah to Health
Vegetarian Burrito Bowls – Loaded with veggies, spices and some guacamole, this sweet potato burrito bowl is a great vegetarian option if you’re looking for something tasty. – Chisel and Fork
Kale & Quinoa Power Salad – Nothing says power like kale and quinoa in this power bowl salad! – Kaitlin Williams Eckstein MPH, RD, LD at Rebecca Bitzer & Associates: A Dietitian for Every Condition
Fall Harvest Energy Bowl – This power bowl has the energy and nutrients to keep you satisfied and the flavors and textures to get you excited for your meal. By building together different plants, this bowl also has enough quality plant protein for those with high activity levels. – Plant based sports dietitian, Kelly Jones, MS, RD, CSSD
Sheet Pan Spicy Sriracha Vegan Bowl – This spicy Sriracha sheet pan veggie bowl is packed full of veggies and plant based protein. It’s a great way to use up veggies and is loved by meat eaters and vegans alike. – Cass Clay Cooking
30 Minute Vegan Buddha Bowl – Incredibly delicious and immensely satisfying, this protein-packed Vegan Buddha Bowl with Sweet Potatoes and Quinoa is easy to throw together, perfect for meal prep, and ready in 30 minutes or less! This bowl features an epic Lemon Miso Tahini Dressing, and the whole bowl is super easy to customize. – Zardy Plants
High Protein Vegan Sushi Bowls – These vegan sushi bowls are packed with a rainbow of colors and plenty of plant-based protein! Top with a delicious and simple sweet soy ginger sauce for a boost of flavor. – Nicole Stevens, MScFN, RD
Mediterranean Gyro Bowl – Save time with this bowl! Prep and store ingredients ahead of time plus incorporate some store-bought ingredients for a delicious, time-saving bowl. –Amanda Izquierdo, MPH, RD, LDN
Teriyaki Bowl w/Tofu – Sustain My Cooking Habit
Spicy Chickpea Power Bowls – Spicy chickpea power bowls come together in just 30 minutes and make a great staple healthy weeknight meatless meal! – Leanne Ray, MS, RDN
Quick & Easy Veggie Burrito Bowl – This Veggie Burrito Bowl recipe is simple to prepare and super healthy. Perfect for meatless Monday dinners or meal prep lunches! – Erhardts Eat
Veggie Breakfast Bowls – Roasted mushrooms, tangy cilantro lime quinoa, eggy tofu scramble, lots of fresh vegetables, and a dollop of salsa make up this delicious veggie burrito bowl! Meal prep this easy to make vegan breakfast in advance so you can eat healthy breakfasts all week long! – Stacey Homemaker
Gluten-Free Power Bowls
Mediterranean Style Crispy Tofu Buddha Bowls – Switch up your meatless Monday routine and learn how to make this healthy Crispy Tofu recipe – Mediterranean style. It’s unbelievably easy to pull off, and trust me when I say, you’ll want to make it again, and again. – Shahzadi Devje, RD
Roasted Sweet Potato & Cauliflower Power Bowl – This Power Bowl is full of savory roasted veggies, complemented by black beans and quinoa. A bowl full of plant protein, whole grains, and plenty of flavor! Gluten-free and can easily be made vegan. – Your Choice Nutrition
Pistachio Turmeric Rice Power Bowl – This rich, gold and green Pistachio Turmeric Rice Power Bowl is vegan, and gluten-free—plus it’s bursting with flavor and nutrition. – Sharon Palmer, RDN
Mexican Burrito Power Bowl – Is it a power bowl? A Buddha bowl? A burrito bowl? Yep. Yep. Yep. Whatever you call it, you’re spooning into a bowlful of flavorful Mexican foods 3 ways – Registered dietitian Judy Barbe, author of Your 6-week guide to LiveBest
Tropical Smoothie Bowl – This Tropical Smoothie Bowl Recipe is the perfect breakfast or snack! It’s dairy-free, gluten-free, full of protein and fresh fruit and totally delicious. Satisfying and easy to make, too! – Yummy Healthy Easy
Savory Chia Oats Bowl – A hearty creation for those who prefer multitude of flavors to tantalize the taste buds. Easy and quick recipe with InstantPot and stove top instructions included. Vegan, Glutenfree and WFPB Compliant. – Profusion Curry
Meat/Seafood Power Bowls
Slow Cooker Carne Asada Bowls w/Mango Sauce – This slow cooker carne asada recipe is easy & delicious, and marinades as it cooks! The mango sauce is spicy sweet, perfect for tacos or carne asada bowls! – The Oregon Dietitian
Orange Salmon Protein Bowls – Supercharge your lunch or dinner with this Orange Salmon Protein Bowl Recipe. With a base of whole grains, roasted asparagus, and an easy orange sesame dressing to top, it’s a tasty and energizing meal you can count on to power you through your day. – Mae’s Menu
Cuban-Style Tuna Meal Prep Bowls – A healthy meal prep recipe in a pinch! These Cuban-Style Tuna Meal Prep Bowls are gluten-free, paleo, and perfect for a well-rounded lunch! With plantain chips, fresh veggies, jalapeno tuna, and a zesty dairy-free yogurt, you’ll be powering through that midday slump! – Strength And Sunshine
Maple Glazed Salmon Buddha Bowl – Drizzled with maple tahini, topped with rice, beans & roasted veggies is a delicious gluten-free lunch or dinner on the go. – Monica Nedeff, RDN, LD
Shrimp & Quinoa Power Bowl – An easy lunch or dinner, this quinoa power bowl is packed with protein and fiber to keep you energized for hours. It’s simple to make, delicious to eat, and makes great leftovers, so you can cook once and eat all week long. – Sarah Gold Anzlovar, MS, RDN, LDN, owner of Sarah Gold Nutrition
DIY Nourish Bowls – These nourish bowls are so easy to make because you can mix and match whatever ingredients you have on hand! They’re delicious and a great way to reduce food waste! – Colleen Christensen Nutrition
Low Carb Chicken Fajita Rice Bowl – Keto Focus
Chicken Burrito Bowl Recipe – Welcome to my Slimming World Chicken Burrito Bowl Recipe via the Instant Pot. Delicious succulent chunks of chicken with a spicy Mexican marinade served with a comforting salad. – Recipe This
Grilled Chicken Burrito Bowl – Chicken Burrito Bowl that’s loaded with tender, marinated and grilled chicken, brown rice, black beans, lettuce, corn, avocado, cheese, green onions, cilantro, tomatoes, salsa and a ranch taco sauce. So fresh, delicious and healthy! – Yummy Healthy Easy
Quinoa Bowl w/Apple & Feta – This easy Quinoa Bowl features sweet potatoes, arugula, diced apple, feta, roasted pecans then topped with honey dijon vinaigrette for an amazing, healthy meal. – To Simply Inspire
Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Bowls – Joyful Healthy Eats
Pin me for later!
Power bowls are really versatile and can be altered and customized however you want! It also lets the pickiest of eaters choose what goes into their meal, which is definitely a win!
Which of these power bowls are you most excited to try? Comment below!
xoxo Megan
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have personal experiences or beliefs, but I can provide you with information related to the concepts used in this article.
Power Bowls: A Nutritious and Customizable Meal Option
Power bowls, also known as Buddha bowls, are balanced and nourishing meals that can be prepared ahead of time. They typically consist of a combination of grains, proteins, vegetables, and toppings. The beauty of power bowls lies in their versatility and customizability, allowing you to create a meal that suits your dietary preferences and needs. Whether you follow a gluten-free, meat/seafood, or vegan/vegetarian diet, there are numerous power bowl recipes that cater to your tastes.
Grains: Start your power bowl with a base of grains such as quinoa, brown rice, or farro. These grains provide fiber, nutrients, and a hearty foundation for your meal.
Proteins: Choose lean proteins to add substance and satiety to your power bowl. Options include chicken, turkey, salmon, tuna, beans, tofu, and more. These protein sources offer essential amino acids and can be prepared in various ways to suit your taste preferences.
Vegetables: Load up your power bowl with a variety of fiber-packed vegetables. Some popular choices include broccoli, avocado, carrots, spinach, roasted sweet potato, cabbage, kale, squash, bell pepper, and cauliflower. These vegetables provide vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, contributing to a well-rounded meal.
Toppings: Enhance the flavor and texture of your power bowl with additional toppings. These can include sauces, dressings, yogurt, cheese, microgreens, hummus, pesto, sunflower seeds, almonds, fresh herbs, lemon slices, lime wedges, green onions, or sesame seeds. Get creative and experiment with different combinations to find your favorite flavors.
Gluten-Free Power Bowls
For those following a gluten-free diet, there are several power bowl recipes tailored to your needs. Some examples include:
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Mediterranean Style Crispy Tofu Buddha Bowls: This recipe features crispy tofu with Mediterranean flavors, complemented by a variety of roasted vegetables, black beans, and quinoa. It offers a gluten-free option packed with plant protein, whole grains, and delicious flavors.
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Roasted Sweet Potato & Cauliflower Power Bowl: This gluten-free power bowl combines savory roasted vegetables with black beans and quinoa. It's a satisfying and nutritious meal option that provides plant protein, whole grains, and plenty of flavor.
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Pistachio Turmeric Rice Power Bowl: Bursting with flavor and nutrition, this gluten-free power bowl showcases pistachio turmeric rice alongside a colorful assortment of vegetables. It's a vibrant and satisfying option for those seeking a gluten-free meal.
Meat/Seafood Power Bowls
If you prefer meat or seafood as your protein source, there are plenty of power bowl recipes that cater to your preferences. Here are a few examples:
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Slow Cooker Carne Asada Bowls with Mango Sauce: This recipe offers a delicious and easy slow cooker carne asada option. It features tender meat, a spicy-sweet mango sauce, and can be served in a power bowl format or as tacos.
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Orange Salmon Protein Bowls: Supercharge your meal with this orange salmon protein bowl. With a base of whole grains, roasted asparagus, and an easy orange sesame dressing, it provides a flavorful and energizing option for lunch or dinner.
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Cuban-Style Tuna Meal Prep Bowls: This meal prep recipe combines Cuban-style tuna with plantain chips, fresh veggies, and a zesty dairy-free yogurt. It's a well-rounded and gluten-free option for a healthy lunch.
Plant-Based Power Bowls
For those following a vegan or vegetarian diet, there are numerous plant-based power bowl recipes to choose from. Some examples include:
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Fall Harvest Buddha Bowl: This plant-based bowl features a creamy cashew apple cider dressing and a variety of fall harvest vegetables. It's a satisfying and comforting option for chilly fall nights.
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Vegan Buddha Bowl: Loaded with roasted vegetables, farro, spinach, chickpeas, and a drizzle of tahini dressing, this vegan Buddha bowl offers a delicious and nutritious combination of flavors and textures.
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Kale & Quinoa Power Salad: This power bowl highlights the nutritional powerhouses kale and quinoa, combining them with other fresh ingredients to create a flavorful and nutrient-packed meal.
These are just a few examples of the many power bowl recipes available. They provide a glimpse into the variety and versatility of power bowls, making them a convenient and healthy meal option for individuals and families with busy schedules.
