Skip to main content

Mix and Match Grain Bowl

Make a simple, delicious and healthy meal for any time of day with ingredients you have on hand and these mix and match ideas.
Two versions of a grain bowl with vegetables and chicken or tofu.
Prep time: varies
Cook time: varies
Makes: 4 servings
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

  • (see Notes for ingredient ideas)
  • 2 cups cooked grains
  • 2 cups chopped vegetables (raw or cooked any way you choose)
  • 12 ounces cooked protein, cut bite-sized (about 2 cups)
  • ¼ cup topping
  • ¼ to ½ cup sauce or dressing

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and water. Gather ingredients and 4 bowls.
  2. Rinse or scrub fresh vegetables under running water before preparing.
  3. Spoon about ½ cup of the grain into each bowl.
  4. Arrange ¼ of the vegetables and protein on top of or around the grains in each bowl.
  5. Drizzle 1 to 2 Tablespoons of the dressing over each bowl.
  6. Sprinkle 1 Tablespoon of topping over the top.
  7. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

Ingredient Ideas

Protein – try cooked chicken, beef, pork, seafood, tofu, tempeh, beans, lentils or eggs

Vegetables – use any mixture of fresh, frozen or canned

Grains – try whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, buckwheat or oats

Topping – try something crunchy or chewy like nuts, seeds, raw or pickled vegetables, microgreens or fresh or dried fruit

Sauce or dressing – use a prepared dressing or salsa, or try one of these Food Hero recipes:

Comments

We used this recipe for a "Cook Along" and enjoyed seeing the variety of yummy-looking bowls people created. Buckwheat was the whole grain of choice because it cooks quickly. Some mentioned how easy it would be to use this template for breakfast, subbing fruit for vegetables if desired. The template also works as a simple approach to planning a meal from what's on hand.

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

Beef Barley Soup
Two bowls are filled with a hearty soup made with vegetables, ground beef and barley.

Beef Barley Soup

One pot meal combining barley, veggies and a flavorful broth!
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
45 minutes
Makes:
14 Cups
Wontons
Bowl of wontons with a chicken and vegetable filling.

Wontons

Fresh flavors of ginger, sesame and green onion in this fun and healthy meal.
Prepare:
30 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
36 wontons
Pear and Cranberry Crisp
Baking dish of baked pear and cranberries with an oat topping.

Pear and Cranberry Crisp

Whole grain oats, warm brown sugar and sweet fruit make this a flavorful treat for breakfast or dessert.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
4 Cups
Chilled Strawberry-Rhubarb Soup
Pink fruit soup garnished with fresh mint.

Chilled Strawberry-Rhubarb Soup

Pair the sweet and tart flavors of strawberries and rhubarb for a refreshing dessert, snack or breakfast bowl topping.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Rice Salad
Bowls of rice with celery, apples and raisins.

Rice Salad

Enjoy a satisfying sweet and savory breakfast that's ready in 10 minutes.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Chicken Cabbage Stir-Fry
Green cabbage with strips of chicken on a plate.

Chicken Cabbage Stir-Fry

Quick dinner idea combining crisp-tender veggies with ginger, garlic and soy sauce. You can change the veggies and proteins to fit what you have on hand.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
6 Cups
Was this page helpful to you?
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.