Simple Grain Bowl (Print Page)

Customizable bowl with grains, protein, and vibrant toppings

# What You Need:

→ Base

01 - 1 cup uncooked brown rice
02 - 1 cup uncooked quinoa
03 - 1 cup uncooked farro

→ Proteins

04 - 2 cups cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
05 - 2 cups grilled chicken breast, diced
06 - 2 cups firm tofu, cubed and pan-seared
07 - 2 cups cooked shrimp

→ Toppings

08 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
09 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
10 - 1 cup shredded carrots
11 - 1 avocado, sliced
12 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
13 - 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
14 - 1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs

→ Dressing

16 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
17 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
18 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
19 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
20 - 1 clove garlic, minced
21 - Salt and pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Cook your chosen grain according to package instructions. Transfer to a shallow dish and allow to cool slightly before assembly.
02 - Prepare your selected protein: grill chicken breast until cooked through, pan-sear tofu until golden, boil and season shrimp, or use pre-cooked canned chickpeas that have been drained and rinsed.
03 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified and well combined.
04 - Divide cooked grain evenly among serving bowls. Distribute protein, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, avocado slices, red onion, feta cheese, and pumpkin seeds over each grain base. Finish with fresh herbs.
05 - Drizzle prepared dressing over each bowl immediately before serving to maintain freshness and prevent wilting of vegetables.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's endlessly flexible, so you can make it feel brand new every single time depending on what's in your fridge.
  • The whole thing comes together in under 45 minutes, which means weeknight dinner or weekend meal prep without the stress.
  • There's something deeply satisfying about building your own bowl, choosing exactly what goes in each bite.
02 -
  • Don't assemble the bowl more than an hour ahead if you're using avocado or delicate greens, because they soften and oxidize quickly and the whole thing starts feeling less vibrant.
  • The dressing is what transforms a collection of vegetables into an actual dish, so don't skimp or skip it—it's worth the extra minute to whisk it properly.
  • Toasting your pumpkin seeds in a dry skillet for just a few minutes makes an almost shocking difference in how satisfying the bowl feels.
03 -
  • If you're cooking grain ahead, spread it on a sheet pan to cool faster so it doesn't stay warm and soggy by the time you assemble the bowl.
  • Pat your tofu dry before pan-searing—this one step is what separates crispy, golden tofu from rubbery disappointment.
  • Toast your pumpkin seeds ahead of time and store them in an airtight container so they stay crunchy and ready whenever you need them.
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