When we’re looking for healthy satisfying dinners, grain bowls are one of our go-to choices. They’re easy to make, nutritious, and delicious. There’s no firm recipe! You probably have the ingredients to make a grain bowl on hand right now. The basic formula goes like this:
Make a base
This is the grain part of the grain bowl. You can use white or brown rice, farro, barley, quinoa, or any other grain that you like. Whole grains are full of protein, fiber, and healthy minerals.
Add some toppings
You need at least one topping, but the more you add the more luxurious your dinner will feel. We love topping our grains with sautéed or roasted vegetables, beans, or roasted meats. A fried egg is always a beautiful way to add filling protein.
Don’t forget the fun stuff
These finishing touches are what make the meal special. Salty pickles, crunchy toasted nuts or seeds, and creamy sauces are ways to add textural contrast and delicious flavor to your bowl.
These are some of our favorite grain bowls for healthy weeknight dinners.
Mediterranean Chickpea Grain Bowls
These colorful vegetarian bowls feature hearty barley tossed with crispy chickpeas, earthy marinated beets, and sweet carrots glazed with harissa paste—a smoky, punchy condiment made from sun-dried chile peppers, cumin, coriander, and more. It’s delightfully tempered by the bright, creamy lemon yogurt drizzled on top.
Hearty Vegetable Grain Bowl with Avocado & Creamy Fig Dressing
For this wholesome grain bowl, nutty freekeh is studded with sautéed brussels sprouts, then topped with a bright trio of roasted sweet potatoes, smooth avocado, and crisp apple. We’re bringing it all together with a drizzle of our irresistibly sweet and tangy dressing, made with fig spread, buttermilk, and dijon mustard.
Roasted Vegetable Grain Bowl with Crispy Chickpeas & Yogurt Sauce
This vibrant vegetarian meal features earthy farro tossed with a trio of roasted chickpeas, sweet peppers, and zucchini—all finished with a creamy pickled pepper yogurt and crumbly feta cheese.
Peach & Snap Pea Grain Bowl with Goat Cheese & a Sunny Side-Up Egg
Bright, seasonal flavors abound in this vibrant vegetarian bowl thanks to sautéed snap peas and a duo of marinated sweet peach and fresh tomatoes. We’re stirring it all into our hearty, ras el hanout-infused farro, then topping it with a rich fried egg, creamy goat cheese, and fresh mint.
Crispy Chickpea Grain Bowl with Harissa-Glazed Carrots, Currants & Almonds
A fresh lemon and shallot dressing provides bright contrast to the smoky carrots in our hearty freekeh bowl—also studded with roasted chickpeas, which develop a delectably light, crispy texture in the oven.
Hot Honey Brussels Sprout & Sweet Potato Grain Bowls
For these vegetarian grail bowls, a base of hearty barley is served with a bevy of toppings: roasted sweet potato and brussels sprouts (finished with hot honey), tender kale, pickled shallot, crunchy walnuts, and a dollop of creamy yogurt to bring it all together.
BBQ Chickpea & Corn Grain Bowls with Spicy Cucumbers & Hard-Boiled Eggs
This farro salad boasts delicious contrast from tender chickpeas tossed in a savory-sweet barbecue sauce, crunchy marinated cucumbers, and bites of sweet corn (charred to lightly caramelize the kernels for even more flavor).
Crispy Chickpea Grain Bowl with Grapes, Almonds & Watermelon Radish
A fresh lemon and shallot dressing provides bright contrast to the harissa-dressed watermelon radish in our hearty farro bowl—also studded with roasted chickpeas, which develop a delectably light, crispy texture in the oven.
Salmon & Sushi Rice Bowls with Avocado & Spicy Mayo
This umami-rich dish highlights a bevy of toppings for delicious contrast in every bite: flaky salmon dressed with citrusy ponzu, cooling avocado, and soy-marinated peppers and cucumbers all come together with a zesty sauce of mayo and sambal oelek (a type of Indonesian chile paste).
Shawarma Cauliflower Grain Bowls with Cucumber-Tomato Salad & Fried Eggs
To make these flavorful bowls, you’ll roast cauliflower florets in a blend of bold shawarma spices, then serve them over lemony freekeh alongside rich fried eggs. It’s all finished with a drizzle of creamy labneh and a garnish of roasted pistachios for delightful crunch.
Find more recipes like these on the Blue Apron Wellness menu.