Simple Grain Bowl (Printable)

Build a nourishing bowl with your choice of grains, proteins, and fresh toppings. Perfect for meal prep or quick healthy lunches.

# What You'll Need:

→ Base

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

→ Proteins

04 - 2 cups cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
05 - or 2 cups grilled chicken breast, diced
06 - or 2 cups firm tofu, cubed and pan-seared
07 - or 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 (optional)
14 - 1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (parsley, cilantro, or basil)

→ 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

# How-To Steps:

01 - Cook your chosen grain according to package instructions. Transfer to a bowl and allow to cool slightly.
02 - Prepare your selected protein as needed: grill chicken, pan-sear tofu, or use pre-cooked chickpeas and shrimp.
03 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl until well combined.
04 - Divide the cooked grain among serving bowls. Layer with your choice of protein, tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, avocado, red onion, feta cheese if desired, pumpkin seeds, and fresh herbs.
05 - Drizzle each bowl with dressing immediately before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's endlessly flexible—swap proteins and vegetables without overthinking it, which means you'll actually make it again and again.
  • Meal prep heaven because everything holds up beautifully in containers, and you can dress individual portions right before eating.
  • Comes together in 40 minutes flat, so weeknight dinners stop feeling like a negotiation with yourself.
02 -
  • Don't dress your whole batch if you're making these for the week—vegetables will wilt and your grains will absorb all the liquid, leaving you with a sad, soggy situation by day three.
  • Warm grain with cold vegetables and dressing is the sweet spot; temperature contrast actually makes your mouth register more flavors than you'd expect.
03 -
  • Toast your pumpkin seeds in a dry pan for exactly two minutes until fragrant—any longer and they'll taste bitter, any shorter and they stay soft.
  • Make your dressing in the bottom of the bowl before adding grains and vegetables, and it'll coat everything more evenly without extra fussing.
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