Save Vibrant grain bowls featuring bold, globally inspired sauces like miso-butter and gochujang-maple, paired with roasted vegetables and protein for a satisfying, customizable meal.
I first tried this recipe for a weeknight dinner and was amazed at how easy it was to create hearty bowls bursting with fresh flavors. The colorful presentation made the meal extra inviting.
Ingredients
- Grains: 1 cup brown rice or quinoa, uncooked & 2 cups water or vegetable broth
- Roasted Vegetables: 2 cups broccoli florets, 1 large sweet potato (diced), 1 red bell pepper (sliced), 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Protein: 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas (drained and rinsed), 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp salt
- Miso-Butter Sauce: 2 tbsp unsalted butter (or vegan butter), 1 tbsp white miso paste, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 tsp maple syrup, 1 tsp sesame oil
- Gochujang-Maple Sauce: 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste), 1 1/2 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
- Toppings: 2 green onions (thinly sliced), 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, 1/2 cup pickled red onions (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Cook the Grains:
- Rinse brown rice or quinoa and combine with water or broth in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook until tender (about 20–25 minutes for rice, 15 minutes for quinoa). Fluff with a fork.
- Roast the Vegetables:
- Toss broccoli, sweet potato, and bell pepper with olive oil, salt, and black pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and tender.
- Prepare the Chickpeas:
- Toss chickpeas with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Spread on a separate baking sheet and roast for 15–20 minutes until crisp.
- Make the Miso-Butter Sauce:
- Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Whisk in miso paste, rice vinegar, maple syrup, and sesame oil until smooth.
- Make the Gochujang-Maple Sauce:
- In a bowl, whisk together gochujang, maple syrup, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil until fully combined.
- Assemble Bowls:
- Divide cooked grains among four bowls. Top with roasted vegetables and chickpeas. Drizzle generously with one or both sauces. Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and pickled red onions if desired.
Save Our family loves making these bowls for a casual weekend lunch. Each person can choose their own sauce combinations for a fun, interactive meal.
Required Tools
Saucepan with lid, baking sheets, mixing bowls, whisk, chefs knife, cutting board
Allergen Information
Contains soy (miso, soy sauce, gochujang), gluten (soy sauce, some gochujang), milk (butter; use vegan butter if needed). For gluten-free, use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce and check gochujang labels.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: Calories 420, Total Fat 13 g, Carbohydrates 65 g, Protein 13 g
Save Enjoy these vibrant bowls as a nourishing meal any day of the week. They are sure to brighten your table and satisfy everyone.
Recipe FAQ
- → Can I use quinoa instead of brown rice?
Yes, quinoa works perfectly. Use as directed for grains, adjusting cooking time to about 15 minutes for quinoa.
- → Are the sauces vegan-friendly?
Miso-butter can be made vegan by using plant-based butter. Gochujang-maple is naturally vegan but check labels for ingredients.
- → Can I prepare ingredients ahead?
Roasted vegetables, grains, and sauces can be made up to 5 days ahead and stored in the fridge. Assemble bowls fresh for best texture.
- → What proteins work besides chickpeas?
Tofu, tempeh, or grilled chicken are great options for swapping with chickpeas. Season and cook to your preference.
- → How do I adjust for gluten-free needs?
Use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce, and ensure gochujang is gluten-free. Always check ingredient labels for allergens.
- → What toppings add extra flavor?
Try pickled red onions, toasted sesame seeds, green onions, kimchi, or fresh herbs for added brightness and crunch.
- → How spicy is the gochujang-maple sauce?
Gochujang brings moderate heat balanced by maple syrup. Adjust amounts for more or less spice to taste.