15+ Yummy Buddha Bowl Sauce Recipes (2024)

by Erin

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Buddha bowls are already healthy, but why not take them to the next level with some delicious and nutritious sauces? In this post, I’m sharing 15+ different healthy sauces that will add flavor and nutrition to your Buddha bowl. From turmeric tahini dressing to miso ginger sauce, your taste buds and body will thank you!

15+ Yummy Buddha Bowl Sauce Recipes (1)

Are you tired of eating the same old Buddha bowl every day? Do you crave some variety in your healthy meal routine?

I’ve got you covered! In this post, I’ll share 15+ different healthy sauces that will take your Buddha bowl to the next level.

These sauces are not only delicious, but they’re also packed with nutrition to nourish your body from the inside out. Transform a simple grain bowl into a flavor-packed and nutrient-rich masterpiece.

First thing’s first…

What is a buddha bowl?

A Buddha bowl is a vegetarian, one dish meal served from a large bowl or plate that consists of small portions of several foods – usually agrain, vegetable, protein and dressing.

  • Grain OptionsRice, Quinoa, Farro, etc.
  • Vegetable OptionsRoasted Sweet Potatoes, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, etc.
  • Protein OptionsChickpeas, Black Beans, Pinto Beans, etc.
  • Buddha Bowl Sauce– There are so many great options below!

The BEST Buddha Bowl Sauces

Learn how to make Yumm Sauce – inspired by Cafe Yumm. These vegetarian Yumm Bowls are loaded up with all the toppings and drizzled with a creamy curry & cumin spiced chickpea sauce.

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Peanut Sauce is delicious on buddha bowls! Try it served with tofu on a bed of coconut-lime rice, with quick pickled red peppers.

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This Raita Recipe is a popular Indian dip that’s creamy, crunchy and a perfect pair for warming and spicy foods. Try it on Prawn Biryani rice bowls.

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Mojo Sauce is so delicious drizzled over a Buddha Bowl with roasted sweet potatoes, peppers and chickpeas.

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Kecap Manis (Sweet Soy Sauce) is a popular Indonesian condiment you can use as buddha bowl drizzle. So sweet and aromatic, this 3-ingredient sauce is easy to make and a must-have in your fridge!

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Add some smoke and spice to your favorite recipes with this Chipotle Crema. A Mexican-inspired sauce, this creamy mix is made with chipotles in adobo to give a boost to Mexican-style rice bowls.

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ThisPeruvian Green Sauce (or Aji Verde)is a spicy and versatile condiment. Made with jalapeno, cilantro, and fresh lime juice, plus Greek yogurt to give it a creamy texture. It's an amazing dipping sauce, spread or dressing.

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This delicious Yogurt Dill Sauce is a creamy yet light all-purpose sauce you’ll want to use on everything. Easy to make with Greek yogurt, lemon, garlic, and dill, just a scoop adds bright and vibrant flavors to salad bowls, veggies, grilled meats, and more!

Yogurt Dill Sauce

This jalapeno sesame salsa recipe is totally unique and so addictive! It's the perfect topping for rice bowls, hummus, scrambled eggs, pizza and more! Or just use it as a dip.

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Maple Tahini Dressing is dreamy + creamy. Add it to a grain bowl with roasted butternut squash & chickpeas.

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With only four ingredients, you can make your own whipped, creamy and delicious Toum, a traditional Lebanese garlic sauce, at home!

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Elevate your everyday stir fry with a simple, homemade Easy Stir Fry Sauce. It’s a 5-minute sauce made from pantry-staple ingredients, like soy sauce, broth, garlic, and ginger. No cooking required!

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15+ Yummy Buddha Bowl Sauce Recipes (14)

This Quick Ginger Garlic Miso Tahini Dressing is packed with flavor and gives a healthy boost to your Buddha Bowl.

Get the RECIPE from Minimalist Baker

15+ Yummy Buddha Bowl Sauce Recipes (15)

A super simple recipe for an anti-inflammatory turmeric tahini dressing that’s the perfect topping for your favorite Buddha Bowl or salad.

Get the RECIPE from Eating Bird Food

15+ Yummy Buddha Bowl Sauce Recipes (16)

Vegan Yogurt Sauce is easy to make in minutes with fresh garlic, mint, and parsley. Delicious on vegetables, pilaf, burgers, toast, and more.

Get the RECIPE from Veggies Save the Day

Arugula Pesto has peppery kick from the arugula and is flavored with parmesan, garlic, lemon zest and pine nuts. Use this pesto to dress up your favorite Buddha Bowl.

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How to Make Ahead and Store

Many of these sauce recipes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead.

MoreSauce Recipes

  • Sauces for Noodles
  • Sauces for Tofu
  • Sauces for Rice Bowls
  • Sauces for Rice Noodles
  • Sauces for Udon Noodles
  • Sauces for Egg Rolls
  • Dipping Sauces for Rice Paper Rolls
  • Sauces for Sushi
  • Sauces for Tacos

Healthy Bowl Recipes

  • Quinoa Taco Bowls
  • Shrimp Sushi Bowls
  • Tuna Rice Bowl
  • Chicken Gyro Bowls with Quinoa
  • Poke Bowls
  • Salmon Sushi Bowls
  • Shrimp Spring Roll Noodle Bowls

Did you Make Any of These Sauces for Buddha Bowls?

Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of buddha bowl sauces.Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me onInstagramusing the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

HUNGRY FOR MORE?For more great Platings & Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me onPinterest,TikTok,Facebook,YouTubeandTwitter.

15+ Yummy Buddha Bowl Sauce Recipes (18)

15+ Sauces for Buddha Bowls

Check out these 15+ AMAZING sauces for Buddha Bowls that will add flavor and nutrition to your favorite grain bowl. These Sweet Potato Buddha Bowls are topped with roasted sweet potatoes, peppers and chickpeas and drizzled with a tangy green mojo sauce.

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 people

Created by Platings and Pairings

Ingredients

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 pound sweet potatoes (peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes (about 4 cups))
  • 4 Tablespoons olive oil (divided)
  • 1 Tablespoon nutritional yeast
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 2 red bell peppers (sliced)
  • 1 15 oz. can chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
  • Zest of 1 lime
  • Mojo Sauce (for serving)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

  • Rinse quinoa and add to pot with 2 cups water and a pinch of salt. Bring to boil then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes. Turn off heat and let stand 5-10 minutes.

  • Meanwhile, toss potatoes with 3 Tablespoons olive oil, nutritional yeast, cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper. Arrange in single layer on baking sheet. Roast for 15 minutes.

  • Add peppers to baking sheet and toss with remaining 1 Tablespoon olive oil. Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until potatoes are tender and peppers are slightly charred.

  • Remove from oven and toss with chickpeas and lime zest. Season with additional salt and pepper, to taste.

  • While vegetables are roasting, prepare the Mojo Sauce.

  • To serve, top cooked quinoa with sweet potato-chickpea mixture, mojo sauce and additional toppings, as desired. Enjoy.

Notes

  • I prefer to eat my Buddha bowls at room temperature, after the quinoa and roasted veggies have cooled just a bit. However, these bowls are also amazing served cold or warm, making them super versatile and perfect for a grab and go lunch.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Nutrition

Calories: 408kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 369mg | Potassium: 793mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 18025IU | Vitamin C: 78.7mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 3.4mg

15+ Yummy Buddha Bowl Sauce Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is a Buddha bowl made of? ›

Assemble individual bowls with the brown rice, chickpeas, kale, carrots, radishes, cabbage, sweet potatoes, sauerkraut, sesame seeds, and microgreens, if using. Season with salt and pepper and serve with the Turmeric Tahini Sauce.

Are Buddha bowls healthy? ›

Salmon, shrimp and grilled chicken are all great healthy options. Buddha bowls are highly versatile and easy to tailor to all tastes and dietary restrictions. They also can be made ahead and are easily packable which makes them perfect for do-ahead meal prep and work lunches.

How big should a Buddha bowl be? ›

Fill the bottom of a large (2- to 3-cups is ideal) bowl ⅓ of the way with hot or cold whole grains, like brown rice, bulgur, barley, quinoa, or polenta.

What are the rules for the Buddha bowl? ›

Since there is no rule about what goes into a Buddha bowl, you can feel free to be as creative as you wish and choose whatever will make you happy. That said, the best Buddha bowls have plenty of vegetables, grains for bulk plus added protein.

What is the difference between a nourish bowl and a Buddha bowl? ›

Buddha bowls are similar to another type of dish called nourish bowls – however, the main difference is nourish bowls can include animal protein. Buddha bowls are also known as grain bowls, hippie bowls, macro bowls or power bowls.

What ethnicity is a Buddha Bowl? ›

The custom still exists among some Buddhist monks in Southeast Asia, and the collaborative nature of Buddha's bowl has made its way into Western menus.

Does a Buddha Bowl have meat? ›

Named for its big, round Buddha belly shape, a “Buddha bowl” can mean different things to different people, but let's define it here as a one-dish meal consisting of rice or whole grains, roasted veggies, a dressing and protein (by way of beans, tofu, lentils, or in some cases meat or fish).

What is Chinese Buddha made of? ›

Chinese Buddha statues are generally gold and bronze, indicating sincere faith. The material is generally stone, such as the world-famous Longmen Grottoes, so they are also called stone Buddha statues.

Should a Buddha Bowl be hot or cold? ›

The contemporary Buddha Bowl may have lost its modest roots. However, some things still hold true to the original. It can be eaten both cold or hot, and from everything we've seen, there is no wrong way to serve it up. To put one together, you need protein, grains, vegetables and garnishes.

What is another name for a Buddha Bowl? ›

(And, because these things have more nicknames than Puff Daddy, you don't even have to call them Buddha Bowls; they're also known as grain bowls, hippie bowls, macro bowls, and power bowls.) According to Dan Zigmond, a Zen priest and the author of Buddha's Diet, the name Buddha Bowl might have a very literal origin.

Why have Buddha bowls become so popular? ›

With veggies, whole grains, legumes, rice and a dressing or two in a round bowl, it imparts flavour and nutrition. A popular proverb goes: If you combine good flavours, food turns into an orchestra. And that can't hold more true than for a Buddha Bowl.

What size bowl is normal? ›

The size of a standard bowl holds between 8 to 12 ounces on average. The 3 basic types of bowls include the soup bowl that may or may not have handles, finger bowls that are used to rinse the fingertips of the user, and the ramekins which are meant to hold solid foods. What are deep plates used for?

How big are most bowls? ›

Soup bowls hold 8–12 ounces on average. Soup cups hold approximately 4 ounces.

What is the formula for grain bowls? ›

My formula for simple and satisfying grain bowls includes the following: ½ – ⅔ cup grains. ½ cup green leafy vegetables. ½ – ⅔ cup vegetables (and fruits)

What are the seven bowls in Buddhism? ›

In Tibetan tradition, the offering of the seven or eight bowls (Tib: Ting) of water is a common practice by most practitioners. The making of offering is a practice that helps eliminate clinging and miserliness while also building up good potential.

Why is a Buddha Bowl called a Buddha Bowl? ›

Enthusiasts say it's a way of emulating the way Buddha used to eat; he would wake up before dawn and walk about with his bowl among the local people.

What are the seven bowls of water Buddhism? ›

The seven offering bowls

As a guest is said to have been received and offered water to drink, water to wash the feet, flower garlands, incense, lamps, perfume and food, it is common to find similar offerings of the seven items in Buddhist rituals of deity worship.

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