If you’re looking for the perfect sweet and spicy quinoa bowl to satisfy your cravings, this is the recipe.
This bowl, loaded with ingredients that constitute a balanced diet, comes together in just 20 minutes.
Since I started taking my health and eating habits seriously, I’ve been super conscious of the foods I consume daily. Most importantly, I try as much as possible to ensure I’m getting the right amounts of healthy fats, carbs, and protein.
Making these rice/quinoa bowls has helped me ensure I can have all three in one bowl. Plus, the prep time for these bowls is relatively short and can be meal-prepped in advance.
So, if you want the perfect balanced bowl to satisfy your sweet and spicy cravings, you won’t go wrong with this dish.
What’s in This Sweet and Spicy Quinoa Bowl Recipe?
Quinoa: I love quinoa because of its protein content. However, you can substitute it with brown rice, white rice, or farro.
Arugula: I sauteed the arugula in a skillet to enhance its flavor, but this is optional. You can also use any other type of mixed greens, such as spinach, romaine lettuce, butter lettuce, or kale.
Cherry tomatoes: They give the bowl the tangy flavor we love in most salsa dishes. I cut mine in half.
Shredded carrots: This adds an additional layer of sweetness outside the dressing we will use in this dish.
Avocado: I add this to most of my plant-based quinoa bowls for some healthy fats and creaminess.
Cucumber: Its water content adds a nice cooling effect to the bowl, helping to balance out other rich flavors.
Corn: This adds an additional layer of sweetness to the bowl. I used canned corn, and I like to char my corn in a skillet before adding it to the quinoa bowl for some additional smoky flavor. However, this is optional. You can also use fresh, frozen, or canned corn.
Black beans: I add this for extra protein. However, you can substitute it with edamame, chickpeas, or butter beans. If you’re a meat eater, feel free to substitute with chicken or fish. The choice is yours.
For the Dressing
Olive oil: It enhances the flavor and gives the bowl some extra healthy fats outside of the avocado.
Lemon juice: It balances the richness of the olive oil and helps improve the texture of the dressing.
Maple syrup or Honey: I use this to add extra sweetness to the dressing and the bowl.
Red pepper flakes: This adds a spicy kick to the bowl.
Salt & Pepper: To taste
Step-by-Step Instructions to Prepare This Sweet and Spicy Quinoa Bowl
Step 1: Prepare the Quinoa
If the quinoa is not already cooked, cook it according to the package instructions (I typically prep mine in my rice cooker). If you want something more flavorful, try my curried quinoa recipe. For a quick option, you can also use pre-cooked quinoa or microwaveable quinoa packets.
Step 2: Saute the arugula and Char the corn
This step is totally optional and up to you. However, if you are feeling up to it, simply heat some oil in a skillet on medium heat and lightly saute the arugula for about 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until it is wilted and tender. Do not overcook it. You want the arugula to retain some of its texture and color.
Repeat the same process with the canned corn kernels by sauteing them in the skillet for 5-7 minutes. You want to see the kernels develop a nice, dark brown sear.
Step 3: Assemble the bowl
Assemble the bowl by starting with a base of cooked arugula in a large bowl. Add the cooked quinoa on top of the arugula, then arrange the cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots, avocado slices, cucumber, corn, and black beans around the bowl.
Step 4: Make the dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, maple syrup or honey, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Step 5: Drizzle and Serve
Drizzle the dressing over the assembled Buddha bowl. Mix everything together and enjoy your sweet and spicy quinoa bowl. You can also top your bowl with pickled onions for extra tanginess.
Expert Tips for a Perfect Quinoa Bowl
- Time-saving tips: Use precooked quinoa or microwaveable packs to make the preparation process a lot quicker. Also, pre-chop your veggies in a veggie chopper for quicker assembly.
- Flavor-enhancing tips: I suggest adding a dollop of Greek yogurt or a drizzle of tahini for some extra flavor and creaminess.
Why this Quinoa Buddha Bowl works
High Protein Content: Quinoa and black beans are the star ingredients in this sweet and spicy quinoa bowl. The quinoa’s nutritional composition is impressive, as it is a complete protein containing all nine essential amino acids our bodies need. Black beans add even more protein, making this dish perfect for anyone looking to boost their protein intake.
Rich in Vitamins and Minerals: This bowl is packed with some healthy fats and vegetables that are great for your health. Black beans and corn add fiber, iron, and magnesium, which help with energy production and heart health.
Avocado on the other hand offers healthy fats that are great for brain health and reducing inflammation. Combining these ingredients ensures you get a balanced meal rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats.
This makes the sweet and spicy quinoa bowl delicious and incredibly nutritious.
Sweet and Spicy Quinoa Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa - cooked
- 1 cup arugula - lightly steamed
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes - halved
- ½ cup carrots - shredded
- ½ avocado - sliced
- 1 cucumber - small, sliced
- ¼ cup corn kernels - canned, drained and rinsed
- ¼ cup black beans - canned, drained and rinsed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp maple syrup - or honey
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- salt - to taste
- black pepper - to taste
- pickled onions - optional, for topping
Instructions
- If not already cooked, cook the quinoa according to the package instructions or use pre-cooked quinoa or microwaveable quinoa packets. You can also try out my curried quinoa for a flavorful homemade version.
- In a large bowl, start with a base of arugula. Add the cooked quinoa on top of the greens. Arrange the cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots, avocado slices, cucumber, corn, and black beans around the bowl.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, maple syrup or honey, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Drizzle this sweet and spicy dressing over the assembled bowl. Mix everything together and enjoy your sweet and spicy quinoa bowl!
3 Responses
I’ve made this twice in the past week and it was very tasty and filling. I also added some chicken to mine
Made this tonight-came together pretty quickly and is delicious! Will definitely make again. One note-the cucumbers were missing from the ingredient list on the actual recipe but are mentioned in the instructions. How many mini cucumbers do you usually use per serving? I only had regular cucumbers and used 1/4 cup diced.
Oops, my bad. I have added the cucumber to the recipe card. I use one small baby cucumber and slice it (2 servings). But a 1/4 cup diced works well too.