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RecipesDinner

Buddha Bowl Bar

By Meaghan SmithJune 30, 2023
Prep Time 25 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Servings 6

This Buddha bowl bar has a rainbow of fresh vegetables and fluffy  U.S.-grown wild rice to create the perfect bowl.  It’s filling, delicious, and great to serve for a gathering.  Eating healthy can be fun for everyone with this easy buddha bowl bar!

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A Buddha Bowl Bar is the perfect way to serve a fresh, colorful, and nutritious meal while letting everyone customize their own plate! With a mix of roasted vegetables, crisp raw toppings, and fluffy U.S.-grown wild rice, this spread is packed with flavor, texture, and nutrients. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or just looking for a fun, healthy dinner idea, this Buddha Bowl Bar will be a hit!

This post is sponsored by USA Rice. All opinions are my own and in my own words. I hope you enjoy!

Why You’ll Love This Buddha Bowl Bar

✔ Perfect for meal prep – Cook everything in advance for easy, stress-free meals.
✔ Customizable – Great for picky eaters or dietary restrictions.
✔ Nutrient-packed – Loaded with fiber, protein, and healthy fats.
✔ Fun & interactive – Perfect for parties, family dinners, or potlucks!

What is Wild Rice?

Did you know that wild rice isn’t actually rice? It’s a nutrient-dense whole grain with a hearty, chewy texture and rich, nutty flavor. It pairs beautifully with other rice varieties like white or brown rice, as I’ve used in this recipe!

Pro Tips for the Best Buddha Bowl Bar

✔ Prep in advance – Cook rice and chop veggies a day ahead for a quick setup.
✔ Switch up the protein – Try grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas for variety.
✔ Sauce it up – Serve with ginger dressing, tahini, or a spicy peanut sauce for extra flavor!
✔ Make it grain-free – Swap rice for cauliflower rice or quinoa.

FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! You can prep all the ingredients ahead of time and store them separately. Reheat rice, roasted veggies, and tofu before serving. Assemble bowls fresh when ready to eat.

How long does wild rice last?

Cooked wild rice keeps well in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

Can I add a protein?

Absolutely! Grilled chicken, shrimp, salmon, or beans would be delicious additions.

Watch This Recipe

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Meg Smith (@megsescapades)

@megsescapades
Close-up of a fully assembled Buddha Bowl with tofu, greens, and a drizzle of ginger dressing

Build Your Own Buddha Bowl Bar

This vibrant and customizable Buddha Bowl Bar features U.S.-grown wild rice, roasted vegetables, crispy tofu, and fresh toppings, all drizzled with a flavorful ginger dressing. It’s a fun and interactive way to enjoy a healthy, nutrient-packed meal that everyone will love. Perfect for gatherings, meal prep, or a fresh weeknight dinner!
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Prep Time 25 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Servings 6

Ingredients  

Wild Rice

  • 2 cups U.S.-grown wild rice
  • 2 1/4 cups water
  • 2 1/2 tbsp olive oil divided
  • 2 tsp salt divided

Roasted Veggies & Tofu

  • 1 red bell pepper sliced
  • 1 orange bell pepper sliced
  • 2 summer squash sliced
  • 2 cups sliced mushrooms
  • 1 block extra firm tofu cubed
  • ½ tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp ground pepper

Fresh Toppings

  • 2 cups shredded carrots
  • 4 radishes sliced
  • 2 mini cucumbers thinly sliced into ribbons
  • 2 green onions sliced
  • 6 cups power greens salad mix
  • 1 bottle ginger dressing

Method 

Prevent your screen from going dark

Wild Rice

  • In an Instant Pot, add wild rice, water, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Set to manual mode and cook for 30 minutes. Once done, allow natural release for 15 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure.

Roast Vegetables & Tofu

  • Preheat oven to 420°F. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, arrange bell peppers, squash, mushrooms, and tofu in separate rows. Drizzle with remaining olive oil and sesame oil. Sprinkle with salt & pepper, then gently toss. Bake for 15 minutes or until the tofu is golden and crisped.

Set Up the Buddha Bowl Bar

  • Transfer the cooked rice into a serving bowl. Arrange roasted veggies, tofu, and fresh toppings on a large platter. Set out power greens and ginger dressing. Let everyone create their own bowls and enjoy!
Start Cooking

Notes

No Instant Pot? You can also cook wild rice on the stovetop. Simply simmer for 45 minutes until tender.

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Layered salad 🥗 Crisp, creamy, and hits every time Layered salad 🥗 Crisp, creamy, and hits every time! Perfect for spring gatherings, summer bbqs, or anytime you need a fresh & delicious side

📌 SAVE for the next time you need an easy side 🤍
💬 Comment RECIPE and I’ll send it to you!

INGREDIENTS 
6 cups romaine lettuce chopped (about 3 small heads)
1 small red onion, diced
2 cups frozen peas, defrosted
1 red bell pepper, chopped
7 hard boiled eggs, sliced
1 lb thick cut bacon, cooked and chopped
1 1/2 cups cheddar or colby jack cheese, freshly shredded

DRESSING
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 tbsp sugar
1 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS 
Add chopped romaine lettuce to the bottom of a trifle bowl or large glass bowl.

Layer red onion, red bell pepper, and peas around the edges so they are visible from the outside.

Press sliced eggs against the glass for a layered look. Chop the remaining eggs and add them to the center to fill it in evenly.

In a medium bowl, mix together mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper until smooth. Spoon the dressing into the center, then gently spread it outward to seal the top.

Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the dressing, then top with chopped bacon.

#salad #layeredsalad #sidedish #saladrecipe
Okay I know Easter is basically over… but you need Okay I know Easter is basically over… but you need to save this for next year 🐰✝️ Or honestly, just make it all spring long 🌸

My dad (who doesn’t bake at all) made this cake when I was little, and it’s one of my fav core Easter memories 🤍 It’s so cute, fun to get kids involved with, and instantly makes everything feel a little more fun and special!

INSTRUCTIONS:
Bake your favorite cake in two 8-inch round pans. Let them cool completely, then wrap and freeze for easier cutting.

Keep one cake whole for the face. Cut the second cake to create the ears and bow tie, then arrange everything on a platter.

Frost with white icing and cover with shredded coconut (leave a little space in the ears for pink frosting). 

Decorate with gumdrops, jelly beans, fruit punch straws, or whatever candy you have on hand!

SAVE this for spring or next Easter 🐰

#bunnycake #easter #cake
everything was fun and easy… until 5 😅🤡 #springbr everything was fun and easy… until 5 😅🤡

#springbreak #momlife #family #vacation
Enjoying My Ultimate Game Day Meal thanks to @ship Enjoying My Ultimate Game Day Meal thanks to @shipt 🏀 Use my code MEG10 to get $10 off your next Meijer order of $35 or more!

#gamedayfood #hosting #chickenfingers #shiptpartner 

INGREDIENTS:

Chicken Marinade
1 1/2 lbs chicken breast, sliced into tenders
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tbsp garlic powder
1/2 tbsp onion powder
1/2 tbsp paprika
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper

Seasoned Flour Coating
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp black pepper

Sauce
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp cracked black pepper
Salt, to taste

Oil for frying
For Serving: French fries, Texas toast, and coleslaw

Instructions:
In a large bowl, combine the chicken and all marinade ingredients. Mix well, cover, and refrigerate overnight.

In another bowl, whisk together all seasoned flour coating ingredients. Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour coating, pressing firmly to coat. Lift and gently shake off excess flour, then place on a wire rack set over a sheet pan.

Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then dredge again in the seasoned flour coating. Return to the rack and let sit for another 15 minutes. This helps create that extra crispy texture.

In a small bowl, mix all sauce ingredients together and refrigerate until ready to use.

Heat oil in a heavy bottom pan to 350°F. Fry the chicken in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for about 3 minutes per side, or until golden brown, crispy, and fully cooked.

Serve with sauce, French fries, Texas toast, and coleslaw.
simple but so freakin good ☀️ #highproteinsnack # simple but so freakin good ☀️

#highproteinsnack #hardboiledeggs #snack

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Build Your Own Buddha Bowl Bar

Build Your Own Buddha Bowl Bar

Ingredients

Wild Rice
  • 2 cups U.S.-grown wild rice
  • 2 1/4 cups water
  • 2 1/2 tbsp olive oil (divided)
  • 2 tsp salt (divided)
Roasted Veggies & Tofu
  • 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
  • 1 orange bell pepper (sliced)
  • 2 summer squash (sliced)
  • 2 cups sliced mushrooms
  • 1 block extra firm tofu (cubed)
  • ½ tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp ground pepper
Fresh Toppings
  • 2 cups shredded carrots
  • 4 radishes (sliced)
  • 2 mini cucumbers (thinly sliced into ribbons)
  • 2 green onions (sliced)
  • 6 cups power greens salad mix
  • 1 bottle ginger dressing
1
In an Instant Pot, add wild rice, water, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Set to manual mode and cook for 30 minutes. Once done, allow natural release for 15 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure.
2
Preheat oven to 420°F. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, arrange bell peppers, squash, mushrooms, and tofu in separate rows. Drizzle with remaining olive oil and sesame oil. Sprinkle with salt & pepper, then gently toss. Bake for 15 minutes or until the tofu is golden and crisped.
3
Transfer the cooked rice into a serving bowl. Arrange roasted veggies, tofu, and fresh toppings on a large platter. Set out power greens and ginger dressing. Let everyone create their own bowls and enjoy!

Hope you enjoyed cooking this recipe!

Please rate this recipe to help others find it.

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