25 Healthy Bowl Recipes - Breakfast, Meal Prep, and More! - Eat the Gains (2024)

25 of the best healthy bowl recipes! From breakfast, lunch, dinner, meal prep, and more, you’ll love these bowl recipes for any occasion! Most recipes are easily customizable to your dietary preferences.

25 Healthy Bowl Recipes - Breakfast, Meal Prep, and More! - Eat the Gains (1)

Bowls > Plates

There is something about a bowl meal that just hits right. I just don’t know, but everything is all nestled together with some toppings and a sauce. You get to pick and choose what you want on each bite or mix it all together. It’s just perfect.

Bowl meals are how I make a lot of our meals at home. We pick a carb, some protein, veggies, and then some kind of sauce and throw it all together in a big ol’ bowl and enjoy. They really are an easy way to put together a meal without having to overthink it.

However, there are so many amazing healthy bowl recipes out there, we wanted to round up some of our favorites.

Enjoy 25 of the best healthy bowl recipes to help inspire you. Broken down by breakfast, protein options, and meal prep, you are sure to find one you love!

The keys to making a healthy bowl recipe

There really isn’t a right or wrong way to make a bowl meal. And that’s the beauty of them, Most of the time I am just using whatever we have on hand and they always turn out pretty dang good.

That being said, here are some key components to building a bowl:

  1. carbs– most of the time people will opt for grains in their bowls, but you don’t have to go that route. Some good options are white or brown rice, quinoa, farro, potatoes, butternut squash, and even noodles of some kind.
  2. protein– any kind you like! Some of my favorites are chicken, ground beef or steak, salmon, tuna, shrimp, tofu, eggs (for a breakfast bowl), tempeh, or beans.
  3. veggies– roasted or raw, use whatever you like! I usually like to have a mix of both to keep it fun.
  4. sauceor dressing– really the key to most meals, a killer sauce is what is going to bring it all together.
  5. something crunchy– this helps keep the texture interesting. It can be anything from some raw veggies to nuts.
  6. toppings– nuts, seeds, fresh herbs, pickled veggies, cheese. Optional, but makes a nice addition.
25 Healthy Bowl Recipes - Breakfast, Meal Prep, and More! - Eat the Gains (2)

Breakfast bowl recipes

Smoked Salmon Breakfast Bowlfeatures smoked salmon, breakfast potatoes, greens, a quick salad, and perfect jammy eggs (although cook to your preference)! Paleo and Whole30 and also great for meal prep.

Yogurt Bowlis a chocolate peanut butter lover’s dream! You only need a few ingredients and 5 minutes to make this healthy yogurt bowl packed with protein, healthy fat, and carbs. Top with toppings of choice!

Egg-Free Breakfast Bowlhas breakfast sausage, sweet potatoes, greens, pico de gallo, and guacamole. Perfect if eggs aren’t your thing!

Berry Smoothie Bowlcombines frozen berries, banana, and protein powder for a quick summertime or post-workout to-go. Top with your toppings of choice.

25 Healthy Bowl Recipes - Breakfast, Meal Prep, and More! - Eat the Gains (3)

Healthy chicken bowl recipes

Copycat Sweetgreen Harvest Bowlis made with marinated chicken, roasted sweet potato, brussel sprouts, apple, pecans, goat cheese, and a creamy balsamic dressing. It makes a delicious flavor-packed grain bowl that is perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner and a great option for meal prep.

Greek Chicken Bowls with marinaded greek chicken, herby cauliflower rice, greek salad with tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and artichokes, and topped off with tzatziki to make a delicious flavor-packed meal for lunch or dinner. If you have had Zoe’s Kitchen, you’ll love this recipe!

Sesame Chicken Meatball Bowlswith crispy broccoli, coconut rice or quinoa, and a sweet and spicy ginger sesame sauce. Customize them with your favorite sides and garnishes.

Fall Veggie Chicken Power Bowlis packed with fall staples like butternut squash, parsnips, and beets with other power bowl favorites like avocado, chickpeas, nuts, and goat cheese. The perfect light, healthy, & gluten-free cozy meal.

25 Healthy Bowl Recipes - Breakfast, Meal Prep, and More! - Eat the Gains (4)

Pork, lamb, and beef bowl recipes

Burger Bowlhas mustard flavored ground beef, all your favorite burger toppings (tomatoes, onions, pickles, avocado cheese), and then topped with a delicious homemade special sauce all in one bowl! We love servings these withfriesfor the full effect.

Bahn Mi Bowltakes all your favorite aspects of a bahn mi and packs it into a bowl. The base is made with cauliflower rice and then it’s topped with veggies, sticky-sweet pork, and simple sriracha mayo.

Greek Lamb Meatball Bowlshave pan-fried lamb meatballs and are served alongside fresh tomato and cucumber salad, herby cauliflower rice, and homemade tzatziki to bring it all together. They make a great balanced meal packed with protein and healthy fats and are great for fun weeknight dinner or meal prep.

Salmon bowl recipes

Salmon Poke Bowlcombines fresh salmon, rice, veggies, mango, and avocado and comes together with spicy mayo. A taste of Hawaii in your own house!

Firecracker Salmon Bowlswith a simple slaw, jasmine rice, and topped off with a spicy peanut sauce. They come together in just 30 minutes for a quick and healthy weeknight meal.

BBQ Salmon Bowlsserved with white rice, a delicious homemade mango avocado salsa, and BBQ salmon. Makes an easy and impressive weeknight dinner.

Curry Salmon Farro Bowlswith harissa-spiced farro, arugula, and curry-infused salmon. Packed with protein and tons of warming spices for a comforting bowl recipe.

25 Healthy Bowl Recipes - Breakfast, Meal Prep, and More! - Eat the Gains (5)

Vegetarian bowl recipes

Veggie Power Bowlis loaded with butternut squash, beets, parsnips, kale, avocado, walnuts, and dried cranberries and then tossed with a flavorful tahini dressing. Loaded with healthy fats, carbs, and fiber this vegan power bowl is gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and customizable to your liking!

Spicy Peanut Tofu Bowlswith baked tofu that is tossed in a spicy peanut sauce and served over rice with quick-pickled vegetables, chopped peanuts, scallions, and cilantro for one flavor-packed bowl.

Veggie Shawarma Bowlshave cauliflower, sweet potato, and chickpeas seasoned with a flavor-packed shawarma seasoning and then get roasted to crispy golden brown perfection. Serve this veggie bowl with lemon tahini sauce or in naan for a pita sandwich.

25 Healthy Bowl Recipes - Breakfast, Meal Prep, and More! - Eat the Gains (6)

Taco and burrito bowl recipes

Chicken Burrito Bowlmakes for a fresh, inexpensive, and healthy dish for an easy meal or meal prep. Loaded with shredded chicken, fajita veggies, cilantro lime cauliflower rice (or white rice), lettuce, tomatoes, and guacamole. Makes 5 servings, ready in under an hour, perfect for lunch or dinner! Paleo and Whole30 friendly.

Fish Taco Bowlshave all your favorite fish taco fixings – blackened fish, shredded cabbage, mango salsa, pickled onions, avocado, and chipotle mayo – all topped over cauliflower rice or white rice to make an easy, healthy, and gluten-free taco bowl perfect for an easy meal or meal prep. Whole30-friendly.

Black Bean Burrito Bowlshave grilled peppers, onions, corn, black beans, and creamy avocado green rice. Plant-based, vegan, gluten-free, and meal prep-friendly!

Taco Cauliflower Rice Bowlsare a delicious low carb or keto lunch or dinner! Naturally gluten-free and perfect for meal prepping or a quick meal.

25 Healthy Bowl Recipes - Breakfast, Meal Prep, and More! - Eat the Gains (7)

Healthy meal prep bowl recipes

Buddha Bowlwith veggies, beans, sauerkraut, and a turmeric tahini sauce. Easily adjustable to what veggies and toppings you have on hand!

Egg Roll in a Bowlhas tons of cabbage and carrots and is full of Asian flavors from soy sauce and rice vinegar. Ready in 30 minutes and perfect for meal prep and the flavors get better with time!

BBQ Ranch Chicken Quinoa Bowlsmade with black beans, red cabbage, corn, tomato, onion, jalapeño, avocado, and ranch dressing. They make a perfect meal prep dinner or lunch!

If you love quick and easy meals and want to learn how to build a balanced bowl, check out our FREEHow to Build a Balanced Plate Guide!

25 Healthy Bowl Recipes - Breakfast, Meal Prep, and More! - Eat the Gains (2024)

FAQs

Are breakfast bowls good for you? ›

Harris-Pincus says breakfast bowls can provide “a jump start on fiber goals for the day, since most of the common ingredients used to create bowls are produce, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.” With 95% of Americans missing the mark on fiber, Harris-Pincus says, “this is a golden opportunity to improve those statistics.”

Are bowls healthy? ›

Bowls are kind of the best. They're a quick, compact, and convenient way to provide us with all the essential components of a balanced meal: protein, fiber-rich carbohydrates, healthy fats, and micronutrients.

Are potatoes and eggs good for protein? ›

Depending on variety, the biological value for potato protein is between 90 and 100 (the biological value of whole egg protein). This means that potatoes contain essential amino acids in a very similar proportion to that required by humans.

What is the healthiest bowl base? ›

Start with your base of good quality carbohydrates to create the perfect canvas base for your bowl. Look for whole grains like brown rice, farro, or quinoa. These have a ton of fiber and a lower glycemic index, meaning they won't spike your blood sugar levels like refined grains will.

Is rice bowl good for weight loss? ›

Studies that have analyzed the effects of serving size have shown that reducing the size of the rice bowl reduces calorie intake, body weight, and blood sugar levels ( 28 ). Therefore, rice can be weight-loss-friendly or calorie-dense, depending on the serving size.

Are smoothie bowls healthy? ›

While smoothie bowls can be inherently healthy, be careful not to overdo it with large portions and high-calorie ingredients.

What are 7 healthy lunches? ›

What you eat for lunch is almost as important as what you eat for breakfast.
  • Avocado and egg sandwich. ...
  • Summer rolls with peanut sauce. ...
  • Quinoa pear salad with spinach, cranberries and pecans. ...
  • Protein Salad. ...
  • Loaded Vegetable Sandwich. ...
  • Lentil vegetable soup. ...
  • Chicken burrito bowl with rice and beans.
Aug 30, 2023

What are the 10 best foods to eat? ›

Here are the top 15 foods you should be eating according to our experts:
  1. Fish. ...
  2. Broccoli or any of the cruciferous vegetables. ...
  3. Beets. ...
  4. Spinach and other leafy green vegetables. ...
  5. Kale. ...
  6. Peanut butter. ...
  7. Almonds. ...
  8. Mangos.
Apr 5, 2019

Is peanut butter healthy? ›

Peanut butter provides healthy fats, protein, and fiber. It's also rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin E, niacin, and magnesium. However, some brands have high amounts of sugar and other additives that can make them less healthy.

What are the top 10 healthiest dinners? ›

Top 10 healthy family meals
  • Healthy tomato soup. ...
  • Sausage & white bean casserole. ...
  • Squash & pesto pasta. ...
  • Double bean & roasted red pepper chilli.
  • Salmon pesto traybake with baby roast potatoes. ...
  • Lighter spaghetti & meatballs. ...
  • Chicken & veg bowl. ...
  • Sesame & spring onion stir-fried udon with crispy tofu.
Mar 20, 2019

How to eat healthy but tasty? ›

How to Make Healthy Food Taste Good | Secrets for Healthy Eating
  1. Tip #1: Buy in-season vegetables for a richer taste.
  2. Tip #2 Use more herbs and spices.
  3. Tip #4 Cook more food from scratch.
  4. Tip #5 Use citrus juice to add a healthy zest.
  5. Tip #6 Use vinegar to add a tangy kick.
Aug 23, 2022

Is it okay to eat a bowl of cereal everyday? ›

Eating excessive amounts of refined cereals may cause sharp rises in blood sugar levels and strong responses from the pancreas, which, over time, coupled with other unhealthy dietary behaviours, may lead to the development of diabetes.

Is it OK to eat acai bowls everyday? ›

The downside? Acai bowls are sugar bombs. Eating one every day might increase your blood sugar levels or result in weight gain. They're also not great if you're on a low carb diet like keto.

Is it good to eat a bowl of oatmeal every morning? ›

Yes, it is good to eat oatmeal every day considering its nutritional profile and health benefits, including weight control and heart-healthy effect. As a breakfast food and mid-meal snack, oatmeal is potentially a better option than the majority of foods available in the market.

Are potatoes and eggs a healthy breakfast? ›

They're packed with protein, healthy fats, veggies, and gut-friendly fiber! They're gluten-free, dairy-free and are great for breakfast meal prep!

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 6130

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (74 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1997-12-23

Address: 4653 O'Kon Hill, Lake Juanstad, AR 65469

Phone: +494124489301

Job: Marketing Representative

Hobby: Reading, Ice skating, Foraging, BASE jumping, Hiking, Skateboarding, Kayaking

Introduction: My name is Cheryll Lueilwitz, I am a sparkling, clean, super, lucky, joyous, outstanding, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.