Customizable Grain Bowl (Printable)

Build vibrant bowls with grains, proteins, fresh vegetables, and dressings. Perfect for meal prep and personalization.

# What You Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup cooked brown rice
02 - 1 cup cooked quinoa
03 - 1 cup cooked farro
04 - 1 cup cooked couscous

→ Proteins

05 - 1 cup cooked and cubed chicken breast
06 - 1 cup baked tofu, cubed
07 - 1 cup cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
08 - 1 cup cooked shrimp

→ Vegetables

09 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
10 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
11 - 1 cup roasted sweet potato, cubed
12 - 1 cup steamed broccoli florets
13 - 1 cup shredded carrots
14 - 1 avocado, sliced

→ Toppings and Extras

15 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese, optional
16 - 1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds or almonds
17 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
18 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

→ Dressings

19 - 1/4 cup lemon-tahini dressing
20 - 1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette
21 - 1/4 cup soy-ginger dressing
22 - 1/4 cup green goddess dressing

# Directions:

01 - Prepare your selected grains according to package instructions. Fluff with a fork and allow to cool slightly before assembly.
02 - Cook, bake, or use leftover protein of your choice. Season to taste and cut into bite-sized pieces.
03 - Wash and chop all vegetables. Roast or steam as preferred, then allow to cool to room temperature.
04 - Arrange a foundation of cooked grains in each bowl. Top with selected proteins and prepared vegetables.
05 - Sprinkle cheese, seeds, nuts, and fresh herbs over the bowl according to your preferences.
06 - Drizzle your chosen dressing over the bowl immediately before serving for optimal freshness.
07 - Serve immediately while components are at their desired temperature, or store components separately in airtight containers for meal preparation.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You control every single ingredient, which means it works for your mood, your dietary needs, and whatever's in your fridge right now.
  • It doubles as meal prep magic—assemble components on Sunday and mix-and-match throughout the week without boredom.
  • One bowl can feed a vegetarian and a carnivore at the same table when everyone builds their own version.
02 -
  • If you're meal prepping, keep wet ingredients (dressing, avocado, soft cheeses) separate until you're ready to eat—this is the one non-negotiable rule if you want day-four bowls to still taste good.
  • Roasted vegetables need breathing room on the pan or they steam instead of caramelize, which changes everything about how they taste and feel in your mouth.
03 -
  • Cook your grains in advance and store them in the fridge—this single habit makes grain bowls actually fast enough for weeknight cooking.
  • Taste and season each component separately before assembly; a grain bowl only works when every piece is delicious on its own.
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