How to Assemble the Perfect Power Bowl + 5 Must Try Dressings

Learn how to assemble a power bowl and get five of my favorite dressings to take your power bowl game a notch. I love power bowls because they’re so versatile and can be prepped ahead, saving you time in the kitchen during the week.

Ah, the power bowl. Are you as obsessed with this craze as I am? Not only are they gorgeous (proven by Instagram), they are a delicious way to get a variety of nutrients and flavors in your diet without a whole lot of fuss. You may remember when I pulled together 30 power bowl recipes from some of my favorite foodie friends! Power bowls are also a great way to use up any stranded produce in your refrigerator, and we often refer to these as “kitchen sink” power bowls!

So what exactly is a power bowl? Amanda from Run to the Finish describes it as, “literally throwing a number of things into a bowl for a quick nutritious meal.” And well, she couldn’t have said it any better. Yes, it is that simple!

Let’s look at the anatomy of a power bowl and what makes the perfect one-dish meal.

The Base

Think of the base as the foundation for your bowl. There are so many base options to choose from, however, I like to stick to superfood grains as they offer a variety of nutrients and protein, which is important for this plant-based loving girl!

Grains: quinoa, farro, wheatberry, brown rice, freekah, millet and amaranth

For a grain alternative, you could also take a walk on the lighter side and add a base of veggies, such as spinach, kale or spiralized zoodles!

The “Meat”

After the base comes the “meat” of the bowl, or the fillings. This is where “the world is your oyster” so to speak and there are endless combinations to choose from.

Roasted seasonal vegetables. Some of my favorites are zucchini, bell pepper, eggplant, onion, asparagus, Brussel sprouts and potatoes.

Brush up on your roasted veggie skills by checking out this post on how to cook sheet pan veggies.

Leafy Greens: spinach, kale and swiss chard.

Protein Sources: beans and legumes (lentils!), tofu, tempeh, chicken, shrimp or beef.

The Toppings

The toppings are where it’s at! This is where the bowl goes from good to great. Depending on the flavors I’m going for with the bowl will often determine the toppings that I choose. Have fun and go a little crazy with the toppings!

• Nuts/Seeds: pepitas, sunflower seeds, sliced almonds, chopped cashews, walnuts, pine nuts, hemp seeds
• Avocado
• Sprouts
• Salsa, hummus, lemon juice
• Fresh herbs: parsley, cilantro, basil or mint
• Cheeses: feta, goat cheese or dairy-free cheese alternatives

After you’re done topping your bowl with a combination of the above items, my absolute favorite way to finish a bowl is with a drizzle of dressing. For me, the dressing I choose inspires the whole bowl and the ingredients I choose. Check out my five favorite dressings below!

5 Power Bowl Dressings + Bowl Inspo

Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

• 1 whole roasted red pepper
• 2 Tablespoons parsley
• 2 Tablespoons tahini
• 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 Tablespoon nutritional yeast
• 1 garlic clove
• ½ teaspoon salt

Bowl Inspo: Farro, sautéed kale, roasted asparagus, fried egg, roasted red pepper sauce, basil

Lemon Tahini Dressing

• ¼ cup tahini
• ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons water
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 lemon, zested
• 1 lemon, juiced
• ½ teaspoon salt

Bowl Inspo: Freekah, roasted eggplant, red pepper, chickpeas and spring peas, sprouts, pine nuts, lemon tahini dressing

Avocado Cilantro Crema

• 1 avocado
• 1 lime, juiced
• ¼ cup + 2 Tablespoons almond milk
• 2 Tablespoons cilantro
• ½ teaspoon salt

Bowl Inspo: Quinoa, black beans, grilled corn, grape tomatoes, spinach, avocado, pepitas and avocado cilantro crema

Cheesy Cashew Herb Dressing

• ¼ cup cashews, soaked
• ¼ cup water
• ¼ cup nutritional yeast
• 2 Tablespoons parsley
• 2 Tablespoons basil
• ½ lemon, juiced
• ½ teaspoon salt

Bowl Inspo: Zoodles, Spinach, roasted chickpeas, roasted tomatoes, avocado, pine nuts and cheesy cashew herb dressing

Almond Butter Thai Dressing

• ¼ cup almond butter
• 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 Tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1 garlic clove, grated

Bowl Inspo: Brown rice, sautéed mushrooms, broccoli, snow peas and carrots, tofu or chicken, almond butter thai dressing, basil, mint and chopped almonds

As you can see, there are many different ways to make up the perfect power bowl. Be creative and have fun with different flavors and ingredients!