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It's okay to admit that it's hard to eat healthy! The food can be a little uninspired to say the least, but it doesn't have to be that way. Take a cue from many of the fast casual restaurants you stop by for a quick lunch or dinner and make a bowl for an all-in-one meal. You can layer everything you need―proteins, veggies, carbs―to fill you right up and also layer in the flavor you so desperately crave. Looking for inspo? Try these 20 recipes for healthy meals in a bowl.
Naturally, you'll find a lot of healthy salad recipes on this list because they come together in no time. Quick work lunch ideas for the win that are anything but boring! You'll find flavorful salmon recipes, quick shrimp recipes, and lean grilled chicken recipes that make sure you get in the right amount of protein while you also get your greens. There's even a breakfast salad that'll fuel you all morning.
You'll also find plenty of rice bowl recipes that layer in veggies and meat, just like you'd get your favorite chain restaurant. But making them from scratch saves money and lets you customize them however you want without annoying that poor worker behind the counter. So grab your favorite bowl, see what you've got in the fridge, and get layering a flavorful yet healthy meal that will nourish your mind, body, and soul.
1
Southwestern Salad
Will Dickey
Top crispy romaine with black beans, grape tomatoes, bell peppers, corn, avocado, and pepper jack cheese. Then treat yourself with a from-scratch creamy avocado dressing drizzled on top.
Add a base of broth-soaked wild rice then layer with baby kale, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and chicken. Add lots of fun toppings like crunchy apples, tangy goat cheese, chopped almonds to finish.
You know what makes everything better? Spicy mayo. It mixes up really fast and adds another layer of flavor to this Asian-inspired mix of rice, salmon, cucumber, and avocado.
If you're looking for a complete meal in one salad, try a classic Greek salad topped with marinated grilled chicken. The toasted pita chips on top are such a treat and add just the right amount of carbs for balance.
If you want to make your meal even more nutritious, skip the bowl entirely and serve your dinner in some squash! The sausage, rice, and kale filling makes it a full meal.
Want to make plain quinoa more flavorful? Add chopped cilantro, lime zest and juice. Then layer on veggies, beans, and avocado for a taste of Tex-Mex in every bite.
Hello, burst of flavor! This simple salad will pop in your mouth with ginger, soy, lime, and jalapeño. And thanks to how quickly shrimp cook, it comes together in less than a half hour.
If you still want feeling of indulging at a steakhouse, make a bowl and provide yourself with some portion control! Pile up on the salad side and you can still enjoy a juicy steak and creamy mashed potatoes.
Making salmon couldn't be easier: Just bake it on a foil-lined sheet pan. Then, mix it in with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese on a bed of quinoa.
Letting your pressure cooker make your chicken means you can make this any time of year. Layer the chicken with rice, avocado, mango, jalapeño, sliced radishes, and a sprinkle of cilantro for endless flavor.
Yes, you can have salad for breakfast! Spread hummus on a plate and then layer with spinach, tomatoes, avocado, a light vinaigrette, a hard-boiled egg, and some pita chips. Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning to finish.
Treat yourself to something a little different in less than 30 minutes. Grilled pork loin combines with sweet strawberries and tangy goat cheese, layered atop a bed of mixed greens.
If you love the idea of a Greek salad but want something a little bit heartier, try adding couscous and some baked salmon. To give these bowls more flair, top with feta, olives, and a drizzle of tzatziki.
Get all the flavor of your favorite Mexican-inspired meal but in a salad form! Layer spiced chicken, peppers and onions on a bed of greens and add all the fixings you want like guac, cheese, and salsa.
If you love ramen, here's an easy way to make it healthier! Discard the flavor packets and load the noodles with veggies, a fresh dressing, and grilled pork.
Love fried rice but want to stay low carb? Swap it out for cauliflower! That way you get a ton of veggies too, but they're disguised to make you feel like you're cheating a bit.
Salmon is not only a good source of of protein, but Omega-3 fatty acids, too. The crunchy kale salad with savory mushrooms will be so satisfying with the sweet and sticky glaze on the fish.
You may have noticed a poke bowl place pop up in your town. They're so popular right now, and it's easy to see why once you assemble one for yourself. Layers of sushi-grade fish, rice, and veggies make a quick and flavorful meal.
Powerful, indeed! This bowl has broccoli, brown rice, chickpeas and loads of fresh herbs for a delicious meal that would either make a light dinner or hearty lunch.
Skip the complicated rolling process and still get all the flavors of your favorite sushi rolls. Simply layer rice with fish, veggies, seaweed, ginger, and anything else you like and then dig in!