10 Beautiful Grain Bowls to Lift You Out of a Meal Prep Slump
Give your healthy eating plan a boost as we head into the second month of the year.
Matt Armendariz, Copyright 2015
Grain bowls were a hot food trend last year — and for good reason! They're easy to throw together and encourage you to choose nutritious ingredients. Mix and match different grains, veggies, proteins and dressings for endless variations — even leftover roasted veggies or yesterday's barbecue chicken are perfect contenders for a spot in your bowl. And while there are many food trends we'd happily retire in 2019, grain bowls are not going anywhere anytime soo, and I am 100% okay with that.
Did you resolve to eat a bit healthier this year? Now that we're approaching the end of January, we bet you could use some new meal ideas to keep your momentum. The grain bowl is a great way to change things up — but still utlize nearly anything taking up space in your fridge. Try one of these recipes to get inspired.
Curry, ginger and garlic are the aromatics in this quick and easy recipe. It's packed with Indian-inspired flavors and the yogurt-cucumber dip adds the perfect amount of tartness for a refreshing contrast.
This is the most versatile grain bowl recipe in this round-up because you've got the freedom to choose whichever grain, vegetable, protein, and other toppings you desire. It'll teach you the basics on how to construct a hearty and healthy bowl, and from there, you can experiment, try new flavors and expand your repertoire!
Green goddess dressing is all the rage right now and I'm a believer! It's creamy, refreshing and seems to make any dish taste better. Save leftover dressing for salads, dip and future grain bowls, 'cause let's be honest, you'll be making this bowl again and again. It's filled to the brim with fresh vegetables, creamy avocado and roasted pepitas for an added crunch.
Ryan Dausch
This grain bowl has got all the bases covered — salty, sweet, and acidic with just a hint of heat. Of all the salsas, pineapple is the most underrated (in my opinion!), but it shines in this easy-to-make dish and serves as the perfect complement to the grilled pork tenderloin.
Andrew Purcell
Reminiscent of classic fried rice, this new take includes ingredients you may not typically find in the dish. Bacon and broccoli are the stars of the show, but you can't forget the egg for that added yolk-y, creamy goodness.
Stephen Johnson, 2015, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
If you've never had wheat berries before, this is a great introduction to the nutty whole grain. Wheat berries and salmon are drizzled with a creamy miso sauce and garnished with crunchy, fresh cabbage, avocado slices, toasted sesame seeds and seaweed.
The key for elevating a good dish to a great dish is to make sure it includes a variety of contrasting flavors and textures. Think salty and sweet, creamy and tangy, tender and crunchy. This balanced bowl is sure to hit all the right notes, with roasted cauliflower, a tangy chutney, crunchy potato sticks, roasted cashews and vibrant carrot ribbons.
RYAN DAUSCH
Here's a use for pumpkin pie spice that you may have never considered! The hint of warm spices pairs well with the fresh herbs and tangy pomegranate seeds. With quinoa and turkey, this grain bowl is packed with protein as well.
This grain bowl is light, refreshing and chock full of veggies and healthy fats. If you're looking for a dish to transport you to spring right now, choose this one.
Stephen Johnson, 2015, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
This is like an elevated version of Chipotle's burrito bowl (which I love by the way). Nutty quinoa, rotisserie chicken, fire-roasted corn, black bean salsa, pepitas and avocado make for a hearty, nutritious meal that's super quick and easy to assemble.
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