17 Make-Ahead Grains Bowls For an Easy Lunch
Lunchtime will be a breeze with these easy recipes! These satisfying grain bowl recipes are perfect for making ahead of time when you need a grab-and-go meal. Packed with grains like rice, quinoa, farro and bulgur, along with veggies and protein, there are plenty of flavorful options. Whip up dishes like our Kale & Chickpea Grain Bowls or our Grilled Vegetable & Black Bean Farro Bowls for lunch that will keep you full and nourished.
Chipotle-Lime Cauliflower Taco Bowls
Ali Redmond
A bold, smoky marinade elevates roasted cauliflower in this meal-prep version of our popular Chipotle-Lime Cauliflower Tacos. Precut cauliflower and microwavable quinoa can help cut down on prep time.
Kale & Chickpea Grain Bowls
This veggie-heavy bowl is loaded with crunch and color, thanks to crispy carrots and chickpeas, fresh kale and a vibrant avocado dressing. Bulgur, also called cracked wheat, is a quick-cooking whole grain that works well here.
Grilled Vegetable & Black Bean Farro Bowls
These bowls are filled with all the hearty goodness of a black bean and veggie burrito, minus the tortilla. Nutty, chewy farro takes the place of rice, and the veggies are grilled with a zesty lime vinaigrette.
Vegan Superfood Grain Bowls
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey
This nutrient-packed grain bowl recipe comes together in 15 minutes with the help of a few convenience-food shortcuts like prewashed baby kale, microwavable quinoa and precooked beets.
Lemon-Roasted Vegetable Hummus Bowls
Brimming with colorful roasted vegetables, these plant-based meal-prep lunch bowls are high in fiber to keep you full through the afternoon.
Chopped Veggie Grain Bowls with Turmeric Dressing
These crunchy chopped salad bowls are high in fiber and easy to prepare, thanks to prechopped fresh veggie mix and frozen quinoa. A vibrant turmeric dressing ties everything together.
Black Bean-Quinoa Bowl
Photography: Carson Downing, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Gabe Greco
This hearty grain bowl has many of the usual hallmarks of a taco salad, minus the fried bowl. We’ve loaded it up with black beans, pico de gallo, fresh cilantro and avocado plus an easy hummus dressing to drizzle on top.
Green Goddess Grain Bowl
This healthy grain bowl packs in the greens with peas, asparagus and a creamy yogurt dressing. Tofu adds protein while keeping it vegetarian, but you could also swap in cooked shrimp or chicken for a satisfying dinner or packable lunch ready in just 15 minutes.
Chickpea & Quinoa Bowl with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
Photographer: Carson Downing, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Quinoa and chickpeas pack this vegetarian grain bowl with plenty of plant-based protein.Whip up a batch and store them in lidded containers to stash in the fridge for easy, healthy grab-and-go lunches all week long.
Grain Bowl with Chickpeas & Cauliflower
This beautiful grain bowl is packed with healthy ingredients like quinoa, chickpeas, kale and cauliflower–all drizzled with a lemony tahini sauce.
Rainbow Grain Bowl with Cashew Sauce
This vibrant bowl is packed with nutrients to keep you full for hours. Look for precooked lentils in the refrigerated section of the produce department.
Edamame & Veggie Rice Bowl
The ingredients in this vegan grain bowl recipe can be prepped ahead for an easy lunch to pack for work. The tangy citrus dressing is a refreshing flavor with the sweet caramel of the roasted sheet-pan veggies.
Spinach Salad with Quinoa, Chicken & Fresh Berries
If you’re packing this grain bowl for work, combine the dressing ingredients in a small container. When you’re ready to eat, shake the dressing well, add it to the salad and toss. Keep prep time short by using rotisserie chicken (or leftover chicken) and a pouch of microwavable quinoa.
Chickpea & Quinoa Grain Bowl
Robby Lozano
It seems grain bowls have as many variations as there are stars in the sky, and there is no wrong way to build one! But we prefer to keep things classic and simple with hummus, quinoa, avocado and loads of veggies!
Meal-Prep Curried Chicken Bowls
Curry doesn’t have to take hours to prepare. With the help of our sheet-pan meal-prep chicken (see associated recipe) and some cooked whole grains, you can make these meal-prep bowls in just a few minutes! Keep them in the fridge for an easy dinner on a busy weeknight or for healthy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week.
Salmon Sushi Grain Bowl
Get all the delicious flavors of sushi without the time-consuming rolling with this quick grain bowl recipe. All you need is 15 minutes to get this healthy dinner on the table or to pack it up for lunch at work.
Chickpea & Veggie Grain Bowl
This high-fiber vegetarian grain bowl is packed with colorful veggies and plant-based protein to keep you feeling energized and satisfied.
