A super flavorful and seriously satisfying vegan Thai Tempeh Buddha Bowl, packed full with nutrient dense vegetables, and drizzled with a simple cashew curry sauce. If you’re looking for an easy recipe, this healthy meal comes together in just 30 minutes, plus it has 20 grams of plant-based protein and 16 grams of fiber!
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What is a Buddha Bowl?
Essentially it’s an amazing dish loaded with nutrients coming from lots of vegetables and grains, paired with a delicious dressing or sauce.
You may be familiar with other names it goes by:
- power bowls
- macro bowls
- grain bowls
- superfood bowls
- nourish bowls
Whatever you want to call it, it’s a great way to pack a lot of punch into one delicious meal. Some of my go-to meals are nourish bowls because you can combine your favorite veggies with grains, greens and some raw veggies too. Oh and top it off with a flavorful sauce – truly the best thing.
Not to mention, nourish bowls are one of the easiest ways to meal prep for the week.
Customizable Ingredients
You can use a variety of ingredients to create your very own nourish bowl. I like a mix of fresh vegetables with roasted veggies, Here’s a general breakdown of what we’re using here for this recipe.
- greens – I used spring salad
- choice of grain – I used freekeh for this recipe but brown rice, farro, quinoa, or another grain works as well.
- red bell pepper – or choose another sweet bell pepper
- purple cabbage – to round out the colors in this bowl. Shredded brussels sprouts would be another option.
- roasted sweet potatoes – for sweet flavor
- tempeh – for plant based protein
- avocado – who doesn’t love avocado on a big macro bowl?
- cashew curry sauce – the Red Thai curry paste mixed with cashew butter and some other ingredients really adds so much flavor to this bowl
This is one of those recipes that is really easy to change out ingredients for your favorite items. For example, if you don’t love red bell peppers, try replacing with shredded carrots. Or if tempeh isn’t your thing, maybe do chickpeas instead.
The choice of greens and grains is yours too. I used freekeh because I love the taste and texture.
What is Freekeh?
Have you ever had freekeh before? Pronounced “freek-ah”. Freekeh is considered an ancient grain, low in fat and high in protein as well as fiber. In comparison to quinoa, freekeh has more protein and twice as much fiber (serving for serving). Freekeh is also lower on the GI index, meaning it’s great for keeping blood sugar levels stable. AND get this: Freekeh is high in iron, calcium and zinc, with prebiotic contents, which can help promote the growth of good bacteria in your gut.¹
So basically it’s a powerhouse grain that you need in your life! Personally, I love it. It reminds me of a cross between rice and farro. I love the chewy texture and slightly nutty taste it has.
How to prepare Freekeh
I’ve more recently been preparing freekeh in my Instant Pot, using Bob’s Red Mill cooking instructions.
But you can also boil it in a pot of water with a 1:2 ratio. So you need 1/2 cup freekeh with 1 cup water to make two servings for this recipe. Allow the pot to boil and simmer until the water has disappeared, typically about 15 minutes or so depending on how much you’re preparing.
This is something that can be meal prepped ahead of time making this power bowl recipe super easy to throw together.
How to Cook Tempeh
I always find I enjoy tempeh most when it has been marinated for at least 30 minutes, or a day ahead if you remember and have time.
For this bowl recipe using tempeh, you just need to chop the tempeh into cubes and place in a shallow bowl with coconut aminos (or soy sauce), sesame oil and rice vinegar. Flip over after about 15 minutes if not fully covered. Or marinate in a reusable bag placed in fridge overnight.
Simple Cashew Curry Sauce
Oh my, this delicious cashew curry sauce… where have you been all of my life?! This is probably my personal favorite dressing to throw on salads and power bowl recipes like this. Flavorful, filling and kind of addicting. It could probably even double as a fry dipping sauce…
And just made with 4 ingredients!
- cashew butter
- Red Thai curry paste
- coconut aminosThe main idea behind the nourish bowl is that you’re loading up a bowl with nutritious foods, and getting a good mix of carbohydrates, healthy fats, and protein. Experiment and play around with your favorites.
- rice vinegar
Not a fan of cashews or red curry paste? Try my lemon tahini dressing or my peanut sauce recipe.
Assembling the Bowls
Divide everything into two bowls, starting with a base of leafy greens. Then add on the cooked freekeh, tempeh, then the veggies in a single layer. Drizzle with the cashew curry dressing and you’ve got yourself a delicious nourish bowl!
If you want a little extra sprinkling of healthy omega-3’s and added texture, toss on some hemp hearts, sesame seeds, pepitas or even sunflower seeds would be great too.
This hearty meal is best eaten fresh, but leftovers will keep in fridge for a couple days.
Meal Prep Tip
Buddha bowls don’t take much time at all and they’re great for meal prepping. If making this dish at the beginning of the week, double the batch and divide everything into 4 glass storage containers, putting the dressing in its own container to serve when you’re ready to enjoy.
Recipe FAQs
What are the 5 key components of a buddha bowl?
In essence, there are five key components that make up a buddha bowl. They include grains, vegetables, protein, sauce, and toppings.
What is the ratio for a buddha bowl?
Typically, the ratios go 25% grains, 50% vegetables, 20% protein, and 5% sauce and toppings (like herbs and garnishes). But I change up these ratios all the time based on how I am feeling.
What sauce is good for buddha bowls?
This really depends on the base and flavor profile of your bowl, but today’s recipe is drizzled with a cashew curry sauce that is heavenly. Think of it more as a universal sauce you can toss on salads, power bowls, and dare I say, oven fries!
Are buddha bowls healthy to eat everyday?
Yes, buddha bowls are healthy as they are packed full of whole grains, colorful vegetables, healthy fats, and protein. They make a delicious, eye-catching, enjoyable meal.
More Nourish Bowl Recipes
Leave a comment and star rating review here on the blog if you make this healthy nourish bowl! I love hearing from you and it helps others find the recipe too.Xx Ashley
Thai Tempeh Buddha Bowl
Ingredients
Tempeh
- 2 tablespoons coconut aminos, or tamari/soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 8 ounce package tempeh
For the Bowl
- 1/2 cup uncooked freekeh, or quinoa, wild rice
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup shredded purple cabbage
- 1 small sweet potato, chopped and roasted
- 1 small avocado, pitted, fleshed and chopped
Cashew Curry Sauce
- 1.5 tablespoons cashew butter
- 1.5 tablespoons coconut milk, canned or carton for best consistency
- 1 tablespoon coconut aminos, or soy sauce, tamari
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon red curry paste
Instructions
Prepare the tempeh
- Chop tempeh into cubes and let marinate in mixture of 2 tablespoons coconut aminos, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, and 1 tablespoon rice vinegar for about 10 minutes. Cook tempeh in medium frying pan on medium heat for about 10 minutes, until golden and crispy; set aside.
Cook the freekeh (or choice of grain)
- While tempeh is marinating, start the freekeh by placing 1/2 cup freekeh and 1.5 cups of water in medium saucepan on medium-high heat. Bring mixture to a boil, then cover and simmer for about 20 minutes, until water has evaporated.
Make the curry sauce
- To make the sauce, add cashew butter, coconut milk, coconut aminos (or tamari/soy sauce), rice vinegar, and red curry paste in a small bowl and whisk vigorously until combined.
Assemble the Bowls
- In a medium serving bowl, add mixed greens, cooked tempeh and freekeh, layer in veggies, and top with curry sauce. This bowl is best eaten fresh, but leftovers will keep in fridge for a couple days.
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