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While winter is undeniably synonymous with hearty soups and stews, we recognize the impracticality of subjecting every one of our meals to a steaming bowl of broth. On the other hand, when you find yourself craving something with a touch lighter, all you’re really left with are salads. And let’s be real… how satisfying are they anyway?
Somewhere in between a protein-loaded frisee salad and a rich stew with every seasonal fixing imaginable, you’ll find the less-indulgent yet entirely filling middle ground: grain bowls. Comprised of a satisfying blend of proteins, vegetables, and grains, these layered combinations are often chock-full of nutrition and bold flavor to boot.
Not sure where to start? We took the liberty of rounding up the mouthwatering grain bowl recipes you’ll want to make all season long. Spoiler alert: Your snoozy weekday lunches are on the brink of a major refresh.
Roasted Beet & Carrot Lentil Salad With Feta, Yogurt, and Dill
Lentils, carrots, and roasted garlic are the undeniable star ingredients of this nutritious platter dressed with a refreshing herb-yogurt sauce that’s too good for words.
Crispy Lentils With Walnuts and Za’atar
If this isn’t reason enough to get out of bed in the mornings, we don’t know what is. Dress up your standard sunny-side up eggs with Punctuated with Food’s lemon-zested bowl.
Farro Tabbouleh With Burrata and Hummus.
Half Baked Harvest’s version of the classic tabbouleh is the ode to spring we desperately need these days. Featuring a base of warm farro, the salad is dressed with a medley of fruit and veggies and served with a side of hummus and burrata.
Buffalo Cauliflower Salad With Chickpeas and Tahini Ranch Recipe
The First Mess’s take on a cauliflower salad is refreshing, crispy, and loaded with flavor. Bold hits of paprika elevate the tahini-ranch dressing, which makes for an ideal complement to the onion-dill seasoned greens.
Eggplant and Caramelized Onion Grain Salad With Walnut Vinaigrette
Eggplants and farro combine in The Whole Bite’s feta- and walnut-filled grain bowl that’s equal parts healthy and indulgent.
Spicy Lemongrass Peanut Thai Quinoa Salad
This Thai-inspired quinoa salad from Heather Christo is what your weeknight dinners have been missing. With its lemongrass-peanut dressing and hits of chili, it’s the spicy addition every dinner deserves.
Moroccan Aubergine and Chickpea Stew
If you find yourself craving something a bit more filling, this warm bowl from Green Kitchen Stories is the way to go. Pair the chickpea stew with warm quinoa and top with a blend of avocado and herbs for a fresh note.
Loaded Greek Quinoa Salad
Elevate the standard Greek salad with a healthy helping of quinoa for a more filling blend. Half Baked Harvest’s rendition comes with the creative addition of artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, and mint.
Roasted Cauliflower, Chickpea, and Quinoa Salad With Jalapeno Lime Dressing
Topped with a spicy jalapeno-lime dressing, My Darling Lemon Thyme’s cauliflower and chickpea salad is sure to curb all your cravings.