Need a quick and easy meal that packs a powerful nutrition punch? Look no further than this delicious vegan Quinoa Power Bowl! This simple, one-bowl dinner is made with hearty quinoa, and nutritious plant-based ingredients like spinach and tomatoes. You'll get a tasty meal full of protein and fiber while enjoying a burst of flavor that will keep you coming back for more.
Trying to add more vegan food to your diet but don't know where to start?
Look no further than this delicious and wholesome Quinoa Power Bowl! Packed full of hearty quinoa and nourishing plant-based ingredients and then topped off with a lemon tahini sauce, this vegan dish is sure to satisfy.
Not only will you be getting a nutritious meal full of protein and fiber, but it's also bursting with flavor that will keep you coming back for more.
Whether you're looking for a quick lunch or an easy dinner, this protein quinoa power bowl is a perfect choice.
Ingredients Needed
Lemon Tahini Sauce
- Tahini: Tahini is sesame seed paste, often used in Middle Eastern cooking. You can find it near the nut butter section of most grocery stores.
- Garlic: I prefer freshly minced garlic in this recipe. You could use a teaspoon of garlic powder if you don't have fresh garlic.
- Lemon Juice: Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor.
- Nutritional Yeast: Nutritional yeast is a great source of B vitamins and has a mild cheese-like flavor. It's often used to make vegan dishes.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil adds richness and depth to the sauce.
- Sea Salt: I like to use fine sea salt in this recipe.Fresh
- Ground Pepper: Freshly ground pepper adds a nice touch of spice.
- Cayenne Pepper: A pinch of cayenne pepper gives the sauce a bit of heat. You can omit this if you don't like heat.
Quinoa Bowl
- Lentils: You can buy dried green lentils and cook them yourself, or buy canned lentils. Both work great in this recipe.
- Quinoa: I like to use white quinoa, but any type of quinoa will do.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: You'll need a teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil for sautéing the vegetables. You can substitute in another oil, and adjust the amount to your liking.
- Red Onion: Red onions add a nice sweetness and crunch to the bowl.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds a wonderful flavor. You can use a teaspoon of garlic powder if you don't have fresh garlic.
- Red Pepper: Red peppers are slightly sweet and add great texture to the bowl.
- Tomato: Chopped tomatoes give the bowl some juicy flavors. A cup of cherry or grape tomatoes would also work.
- Spinach or Kale: Either spinach or kale work in this recipe. Chop the leaves into small pieces before adding them to the bowl.
- Parsley: Fresh parsley adds a bright pop of flavor. Chopped cilantro would also be great.
Tips & Tricks
- If you are cooking your quinoa and lentils just before making this quinoa power bowl recipe, you can cool them off quickly by spreading them out on a parchment lined sheet pan if you like.
- Lemon tahini sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. It's great as a salad dressing or sandwich spread too!
- Feel free to mix up the veggies in this recipe. Sweet potatoes, butternut squash, broccoli, cabbage, and brussels sprouts all work well.
- You could substitute another grain like farro, barley, or brown rice in this bowl. (Just be aware that not all grains are gluten-free if that is a concern.)
- Black beans, chickpeas, tofu, and tempeh could all be used in addition to or in place of the lentils.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a power bowl healthy?
Yes! Power bowls are a great way to get a nutritious, balanced meal that is full of flavor. They typically contain lean proteins (or vegan protein like this quinoa protein bowl), fresh vegetables, healthy fats, and whole grains all in one bowl. Eating this type of meal can help you reach your dietary goals while also satisfying your taste buds.
How would you describe the taste of quinoa?
Quinoa has a mild, nutty flavor with a slightly crunchy texture. It is often described as having an earthy and nutty taste that pairs well with many different types of flavors, such as herbs, spices, and sauces.
Tools Needed to Make
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Storage
This recipe is perfect for meal prep. You can store leftover power bowls with quinoa in a container with a tight-fitting lid in the refrigerator for up to five days. I recommend waiting to add the lemon tahini sauce until just before serving.
Protein Packed Quinoa Power Bowl
Ingredients
Lemon Tahini Sauce
- ¼ cup tahini
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Quinoa Bowl
- 1 cup cooked green lentils
- 2 cups cooked quinoa
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 red onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 red pepper chopped
- 1 tomato chopped
- 3 cups spinach or kale roughly chopped
- ½ cup fresh parsley chopped fine
Instructions
- In a food processor or blender, combine tahini, garlic, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, olive oil, sea salt, ground pepper and cayenne. Process until combined and set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes. Add garlic, bell pepper and tomato, and cook for 7 to 8 minutes more. Stir in spinach or kale and cook until wilted.
- Stir in the tahini dressing, cooked lentils and quinoa. Reduce heat to low and simmer until heated through.
- Remove from heat and stir in minced parsley.
- Season with salt and black pepper and serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled.
Nancy Offen
Do you have the recipe for lemon tahini sauce. I would like to try the protein bowl recipe but don't have lemon tahini sauce. Thanks, Nancy
sue
Hi, regarding the Quinoa Protein Power Bowl I see the recipe asks for uncooked green lentils under ingredients and then the instructions it says to stir in cooked lentils. I'm thinking I should cook the lentils first?? Thanks!
Wendy Polisi
Hi Sue - yes in step two you cook the lentils according to package instructions.
Christine Siracusa
I'm the same. Once I loosen up the reins just a little on my healthy eating all hell breaks loose. This little bowl is the perfect thing to entice me back to the light side though.
John Hartil
It certainly does look so good!
Shannon Graham
I'm always looking for a way to up my protein for the day.