Healthy Grain Bowls – A Beautiful Mess

Finding healthy family recipes that I can easily make over and over is so helpful! Today, I am sharing my recipe for a healthy grain bowl full of protein and fresh vegetables that you will want to make over and over again.

More healthy meal ideas: The Best Fruit Salad, Chicken Salad with Grapes, Mason Jar Salad, Easy Broccoli Salad, Tuna Salad Recipe.

Ingredients in a Grain Bowl

• Whole Grains – The base of any grain bowl is at least one whole grain. I love to use quinoa, rice, millet, farro or bulgur wheat.
• Protein – My favorites are salmon, chicken, steak and hard boiled eggs. For a vegetarian or vegan option, try some crispy chickpeas.
• Fresh vegetables – My go-to’s are sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes red onions, shredded carrots and avocado. It’s also great to add some arugula or kale to your bowl. Choose any combination of raw veggies that appeal to you.
• Cooked vegetables – Try adding some cauliflower, zucchini, sweet potato or Brussels sprouts.
• Toppings – I often add cheese, seeds, beans or edamame to our bowls.
• Sauce – I love homemade dressings and sauces. Lemon Vinaigrette, Hummus, Green Goddess Dressing, Honey Mustard Dressing, Caesar Salad Dressing or Ranch Dressing.

How to Assemble a Grain Bowl

Begin with a base of whole grains. I typically add about one cup to each bowl.

Next, add your choice of protein.

Next, add an assortment of raw and cooked vegetables.

Add a dressing to your bowl.

Last, add a topping like cheese or seeds to complete your grain bowl.

Tips for Meal Prepping Grain Bowls

One of the best ways to make grain bowls is to make three or four portions to save in the fridge for the next few days of meals. I often make extra portions and save them in Tupperware. It’s great to have easy meals in the fridge you can just pull out and serve!

• Prep the grain bowl with everything except the protein. This is how I normally do it and then I can throw some rotisserie chicken or air fryer salmon in when I am ready to serve it.
• Vary the ingredients you use in your grain bowl. Make them colorful and different each time and they will be more exciting to eat and seem less repetitive.
• A good rule of thumb for meal prepping is to eat meals you prep within three days, so keep that in mind.

Grain Bowls Go Great With:

Grain Bowl Variations

There are endless ways you can serve a grain bowl! Here are a few ideas to try.

• Taco Bowl – Serve all the ingredients you would add to a taco on a bed of rice or quinoa instead of in a shell. My favorites are chicken or beef, guacamole, pico de gallo, and some cheese.
• Mediterranean Bowl – My most frequently made bowl is definitely Mediterranean. I like to start with quinoa and add chicken, sliced tomatoes and cucumber, onion, feta cheese and shredded carrot. For the dressing, I will make something with an olive oil base, lemon and lots of herbs and garlic.
• Sushi Bowl – Think of it as a sushi roll in a bowl! Add some crab or salmon, cucumber, shredded carrot, avocado, and serve with soy sauce and yum yum sauce.
• Roasted Veggie Bowl – Start with a base of brown rice and add some sweet potato, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and chickpeas.
• Breakfast Grain Bowl – For a breakfast grain bowl, begin with a base of quinoa and add some breakfast sausage and an egg or two cooked your favorite way.

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