Simple Grain Bowl (Printable)

Customizable nourishing bowl with grains, protein, and fresh 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 or 1 can 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 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 lemon juice
18 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
19 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
20 - 1 clove garlic minced
21 - Salt and pepper to taste

# Steps:

01 - Cook your chosen grain according to package instructions. Set aside to cool slightly.
02 - Prepare your chosen protein or combination as needed by grilling, pan-searing, or using pre-cooked options.
03 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
04 - Arrange the cooked grain in individual bowls. Top each with your choice of protein, vegetables, avocado, red onion, feta cheese if using, pumpkin seeds, and fresh herbs.
05 - Drizzle the dressing over each bowl just before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a kitchen blank canvas where you can use exactly what's in your fridge without judgment.
  • You'll spend more time eating than cooking, which feels like winning at the meal-prep game.
  • Everything tastes better when you build it yourself, one satisfying layer at a time.
02 -
  • Overcooked grain will turn your beautiful bowl into mush—taste it early and often, and it's better slightly underdone than overdone.
  • Everything tastes better at room temperature or slightly warm, not piping hot, so let your components cool just enough to touch without burning yourself.
03 -
  • Cook your grains in vegetable or chicken broth instead of water and you've added flavor from the very beginning without any extra effort.
  • Make extra dressing and keep it in the fridge for salads, roasted vegetables, or anything else that deserves brightness—it lasts about a week and gets better as the flavors meld.
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