Vegetarian Hearty Grain Bowl

Packed with wholesome ingredients and vibrant flavors, this Vegetarian Hearty Grain Bowl is a nutrient-rich, satisfying meal perfect for lunch or dinner. Featuring fluffy quinoa as the base, this colorful bowl is brimming with protein-packed chickpeas, juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, creamy avocado, and tangy crumbled feta cheese. A hint of red onion and a handful of fresh baby spinach add layers of texture, while a zesty homemade lemon-honey dressing ties everything together. Topped with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, this versatile grain bowl offers a medley of Mediterranean-inspired flavors in every bite. Ready in just 35 minutes, it's an ideal make-ahead dish that tastes even better after refrigerating, providing the perfect balance of health, convenience, and bold taste.

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 medium cucumber, diced
• 1 large avocado, diced
• 0.25 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 0.5 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the quinoa under cold water using a fine mesh strainer to remove its natural coating, which can make it taste bitter.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the quinoa and a pinch of salt, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the quinoa is fluffy and all the water has been absorbed. Remove from heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

Step 3

While the quinoa is cooking, prepare the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and black pepper until well combined.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, red onion, baby spinach, and feta cheese.

Step 5

Drizzle the dressing over the grain and vegetable mixture, and gently toss to combine and evenly coat all ingredients with the dressing.

Step 6

Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the top for garnish.

Step 7

Divide the grain bowl mixture among four serving bowls.

Step 8

Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 24 hours, allowing the flavors to meld even more. If refrigerating, leave the avocado and feta cheese to add just before serving if possible to maintain their texture.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1886.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2392.8

Total Fat 120.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 28.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 100mg	0%
Sodium 5581.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 253.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 50.7g	0%
Total Sugars 37.2g
Protein 86.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 962.8mg	0%
Iron 22.5mg	0%
Potassium 3139.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 44.4%

Protein: 14.2%

Carbs: 41.4%