I’ve never been the kind of cook who can walk into a kitchen and just “throw something together.” I function best with an ingredient list and instructions. But if there is ever a time I feel like I can improvise—even just a little bit—it’s when I’m making one of my favorite bowl dinner recipes. I love how I can add whatever grains, protein, veggies, and sauce I’m feeling that night, throw it all into a bowl, and enjoy a well-rounded, healthy meal. It’s one of those easy dinner ideas that has all the reward without any of the headache (or hours of meal prep).
Bowl dinner recipes are pretty self-explanatory—and totally customizable. But if you’re looking for some inspiration on what to add to you and your family’s bowls this week, I’ve rounded up 27 of my favorite bowl dinner recipes, from chicken shawarma dishes to veggie grain bowls even the kids will love. I’ve also included some helpful tips on how to build the best bowl dinner possible, from a girl who makes these dinners all the time.
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How to Build a Bowl Dinner (The Simple Formula)
Layering your ingredients is the key to building a delicious bowl dinner. Use this simple 4-step formula, and you’ll have an easy, crowd-pleasing meal in no time.
Start with a base
Choose a hearty, nutrient-dense foundation for the bottom of your bowl. You’ll usually want at least a ½ cup to 1 cup before you start adding your upper layers.
Bases can include:
- Grains: rice, quinoa, noodles, farro, or couscous
- Greens: chopped romaine, kale, or spinach
- Low-carb/veggie options: cauliflower rice or a mix of grains and greens
Choose your protein
No meal is complete without a satisfying serving of protein. For your bowl, you’ll want to aim for about three to six ounces.
Proteins for your bowl include:
- Animal-based: chicken breast or thigh, ground beef and turkey, sliced steak, shrimp, or seared salmon
- Plant-based: tofu, beans, chickpeas, tempeh, or a fried or boiled egg
Pile on the veggies (plus, healthy fats!)
The favorite part of all of my bowl dinners is the variety of roasted, raw, and steamed veggies I always add at the end. They increase the volume of the meal—and the fiber is certainly a welcome addition to your family’s diet.
Some of the best veggies to add include:
- Roasted or cooked: sweet potatoes, broccoli, bell peppers, and zucchini
- Fresh and crunchy: cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots, and corn
And of course, add a portion of your favorite healthy fats:
- Avocado slices or guacamole
- Feta or goat cheese
- Hummus or tzatziki (always my pick!)
Finish with your sauce and a crunch
The best combo is always a bold dressing plus whatever textural element you prefer (pita chips are my go-to!).
Sauces and crunch items to include:
- Sauces and dressings: tahini, mayo, or a vinaigrette dressing
- Crunch elements: crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, pita chips, cilantro, or green onions
Chicken Bowl Recipes
Chicken is my go-to bowl recipe protein—every single time. It just roasts and sears so well, and is super easy to meal prep in advance. Add some veggies on top, and you’ve got yourself a well-rounded meal.
1. Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowls
If there’s any fast food place out there that takes the most of my money, it’s Chipotle. Luckily, their bowls are super easy to make at home. You can use any combo of chicken, beans, veggies, rice, greens, or salsas. Get creative!
2. Chicken Fajita Bowls
Fajita night in my house is sacred, but at times, it can also feel a little repetitive. Luckily, this fajita bowl recipe adds a fun twist to a widely loved family recipe. Be sure to add the cilantro lime sauce on top. It ties everything together perfectly.
3. Mediterranean Meatball Bowls
The juicy chicken meatballs in this recipe are to-die-for, and with the orzo, cucumber tzatziki, and slew of fresh toppings, this dinner recipe will be on repeat in your household.
4. Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl Recipe
Sweetgreen is up there with Chipotle as one of my favorite places to eat out. But for those nights when you know you shouldn’t spend extra money, you’ll have all the ingredients you need for a Sweetgreen bowl in your fridge. And the roasted brussel sprouts? The best.
5. Teriyaki Chicken and Veggie Rice Bowls
While this recipe includes instructions for a homemade teriyaki sauce, you can easily substitute a store-bought brand on a busy weeknight meal. Other than that, this recipe is super straightforward. Just be sure to have all your veggies–broccoli, carrots, zucchini, pepper—on hand.
6. Chicken Shawarma Bowl
For when you’re craving that chicken shawarma you always order out on a cozy night in. You can make this recipe night of or roast the chicken over the weekend and assemble on a weeknight.
7. Chicken Tzatziki Bowl
I am totally obsessed with chicken gyros, so when I saw this recipe, I flipped. It has all the same delicious Greek flavors in bowl form, making it a great quick family lunch or dinner. Plus, you can marinate and prepare the chicken and veggies ahead of time.
Beef, Pork & Turkey Bowl Recipes
The best thing about bowl dinner recipes is how many different kinds of meat you can add to them. Ground beef and turkey are another favorite of mine to enjoy. They’re so easy to cook and rich in nutrients.
8. Burger in a Bowl
If you have leftover burgers from a family cookout, this is the recipe for you. It’s nutrient-rich, gluten-free, and a healthier alternative to a traditional burger dinner.
9. Bratwurst Bowl with Kale and Quinoa
As much as I love chicken breast, I’m always looking for ways to spice up the protein selection in my kitchen—and this recipe checks all the boxes! And the dollop of hummus certainly helps with the flavor.
10. Cottage Cheese Sweet Potato Beef Bowl
I know protein has turned into somewhat of a buzz word these days, but I swear—this bowl is packed with protein. And it can be ready in just 30 minutes.
11. Ground Beef Taco Bowls
Another fun alternative to a classic family dinner: taco night. There’s tons of fiber in this meal and it can easily be made dairy-free, for any households dealing with allergies.
12. Steak Bowls with Roasted Potatoes
It’s tough to find the kind of recipes that strike a balance between easy and impressive, but these steak bowls manage it. The herb sauce drizzled on top ties everything together oh-so-beautifully.
13. Turkey Taco Bowl Recipe
Taco bowls, but with ground turkey! The creamy yogurt sauce and squeeze of lime juice really makes this recipe stand out. Plus, it can be ready in just 20 minutes.
14. Pulled Pork Rice Bowls
The perfect recipe to use all that slow cooker pulled pork you prepped earlier this week! And with sweet corn, pickled veggies, and a creamy avocado dressing, it will feel like a well-rounded meal for your whole family.
Seafood Bowl Recipes
If you’re wondering if seafood is an option for your bowl dinners, it absolutely is. I actually think adding grilled salmon or shrimp to a bowl dinner recipe every now and then is the perfect way to spice up a boring weeknight meal.
15. Salmon Taco Bowls
The yellow rice for this bowl adds a dash of color and flavor to your meal, and who can really go wrong with salmon? As for toppings, pick your favorites and load it up!
16. Sushi Poke Bowls
I still mourn the poke bowl place that was around the corner from my college house. Luckily, this recipe lets me taste a bit of that magic at home. I can’t recommend the spicy mayo drizzle enough.
17. Fish Taco Bowl
You’ll notice plenty of avocado on this list, and it’s truly because it goes so well with every bowl recipe. The taco-seasoned flaky fish and rice pair beautifully with it.
18. Grilled Salmon Bowl
Grilled salmon is a staple I’ll never get enough of. It’s healthy, easy, and goes wonderfully in a million different bowl dinners. Be sure to soak your salmon in the tangy, slightly spicy marinade before cooking.
19. Chipotle Lime Shrimp Bowls
The award for the most underrated seafood to add to your bowl goes to shrimp. Personally, I love to make shrimp in the air fryer because it’s so easy. Once it’s done, I can pop it into the bowl with brown rice, black beans, tomatoes, and avocado.
Vegetarian and Vegan Bowl Recipes
For all the vegetarian and vegan households out there, don’t worry—you can enjoy a delicious bowl dinner recipe, too. From quinoa bowls to falafel recipes, there’s plenty of variety on this list for you and your family.
20. Vegetable Quinoa Bowls with Zucchini and Beans
When it comes to tasty and filling, this is another recipe that checks all the boxes, and it’s vegan. The base is a unique blend of quinoa, sprouted brown rice, and wild rice.
21. Taco-Flavored Vegetarian Power Bowl
There are multiple sources of protein in this vegetarian power bowl, from the greek yogurt sauce to the hefty serving of beans. It will give you all the taco flavors, without any of the meat.
22. Vegan Fajita Bowls with Avocado
Any excuse to use bell peppers has me excited, and this recipe is packed with them. Plus, the beans, rice, and corn tortillas help make the meal feel well-rounded and filling.
23. Vegan Buddha Bowl
There’s no recipe out there that takes “eating the rainbow” more literally than a buddha bowl. And they’re the definition of no-fuss, healthy, and totally customizable.
24. Falafel Bowls
Falafel is another underrated meat substitute, especially for bowl dinner recipes. And with the hummus, quinoa, and roasted red peppers, you really will feel like you’re eating at your favorite Mediterranean restaurant.
Healthy Grain Bowl Recipes
I love making a grain bowl at home because it feels like I went to Sweetgreen, without spending the extra money. These recipes are quick, easy, and perfect for busy nights with the entire family.
25. Harvest Roasted Vegetable Grain Bowl
If you want to take this bowl to another level, add an egg with a runny yoke to the top. If that’s not your prerogative, the recipe will still feel complete with roasted veggies and farro.
26. Greek Goddess Grain Bowl
When you finish making this bowl, be sure to have some pita chips on hand for scooping—it’s the best way to enjoy every single ingredient. And the halloumi cheese is an unexpected winner.
27. Chickpea Grain Bowl
Chickpeas, chickpeas, and more chickpeas! They really are a great candidate for the base of your bowl, especially because they have so much protein, and with this recipe, they take center stage.
FAQs
What’s the best base for a bowl?
The best base for your bowl will vary depending on what type of meal you’re making. Rice is inexpensive, neutral, and great at absorbing sauces, so it’s always a go-to for me. Lettuce is typically the best option for burrito style bowls, but if you’re after an additional source of protein, I’d go with chickpeas.
What else can you add to a bowl meal?
Bowl meals are totally customizable. Once you add your base (rice, lettuce, chickpeas, etc.), then move onto your choice of protein—chicken or ground beef are solid winners—before adding your veggies and sauces. Some of my favorite toppings to add to my bowls are bell peppers, tomatoes, avocado, and feta cheese.
How do you meal prep bowl dinners?
Meal prepping bowl dinners is a simple process: cook your grains first (rice, quinoa, etc.), then roast or sear your protein in a pan with your cooked vegetables. Once those have cooled, divide your base, cooked protein, and cooked vegetables into airtight meal prep containers—keep dressings or sauces separate and add them to the bowl fresh. Once sealed, these meal prepped dishes can stay in the fridge for up to five days depending on the protein type.
How long do bowl meals last in the fridge?
How long your bowl meal will last in the fridge depends on what protein you used. For beef, pork, and chicken, you can typically keep them in the fridge for up to five days. If you use fish, you’ll want to eat your bowl within two to three days.
You’ll also want to add delicate toppings (avocado, lettuce, salsa, sour cream, or guacamole) fresh when you eat. They often turn soggy or spoil within one to two days.
Are bowl dinners healthy?
Bowl dinners can be very healthy because they easily combine grains, protein, and colorful vegetables into a single, family-friendly meal. To get the most nutritional value, load up on vegetables and lean protein, and aim to use fiber-rich grains like brown rice or quinoa.
Rebecca Smith, Editorial Assistant
As an Editorial Assistant, Rebecca works with The Everymom team on updating existing content, photo sourcing, pitching original articles, and more. She’s passionate about creating authentic and diverse online content and is thrilled to help women of all ages feel represented.
