Customizable Grain Bowl (Printable)

Build vibrant bowls with grains, proteins, vegetables, and dressings. Perfect for meal prep and any dietary preference.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup cooked brown rice
02 - 1 cup cooked quinoa
03 - 1 cup cooked farro
04 - 1 cup cooked couscous, gluten-free if needed

→ 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 - ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese, optional
16 - ¼ cup toasted seeds or nuts
17 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs
18 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

→ Dressings

19 - ¼ cup lemon-tahini dressing
20 - ¼ cup balsamic vinaigrette
21 - ¼ cup soy-ginger dressing
22 - ¼ cup green goddess dressing

# How To Make It:

01 - Prepare your selected grains according to package instructions. Fluff with a fork and allow to cool slightly before assembly.
02 - Cook, bake, or prepare your chosen protein options. Use freshly prepared ingredients or high-quality leftovers as desired.
03 - Wash and chop all vegetables. Roast, steam, or serve raw according to preference.
04 - Distribute grain base evenly among serving bowls. Arrange selected proteins and vegetables on top in appealing portions.
05 - Sprinkle sesame seeds, fresh herbs, and toasted nuts or seeds over the bowl components.
06 - Drizzle your chosen dressing over the bowl immediately before serving. Mix gently to combine or serve separately for meal prep storage.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get to be the chef and the customer at the same time, which somehow makes everything taste better.
  • Meal prep becomes genuinely fun when you're setting up a customizable bowl bar instead of boxing up identical containers.
  • It works for every dietary preference without anyone feeling like they're eating separately from the group.
02 -
  • Temperature balance matters—if everything is the same temperature, the bowl feels flat and one-note, so mixing warm grain with cold vegetables and room-temperature proteins is actually strategic.
  • The dressing is what transforms components into an actual dish, so don't skip it or treat it as optional, and always add it just before you eat to avoid soggy regret.
03 -
  • Toast your nuts and seeds in a dry pan for two minutes right before assembly—the warmth releases oils that make them taste exponentially more interesting than raw versions.
  • If you're making these for a group, set everything up as a DIY bar and let people build their own; they'll feel invested in eating it and you'll avoid four separate cooking projects.
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