Vegan Mediterranean Buddha Bowl (Print version)

Vibrant bowl with roasted vegetables, chickpeas, avocado, olives, and creamy tahini dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Roasted Vegetables

01 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
02 - 1 red bell pepper, chopped
03 - 1 small red onion, sliced
04 - 1 small eggplant, diced
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
07 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Base and Proteins

09 - 4 cups mixed salad greens such as arugula, spinach, or romaine
10 - 1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas, rinsed and drained

→ Toppings

11 - 1 ripe avocado, sliced
12 - 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives, halved
13 - 1 cup hummus

→ Tahini Dressing

14 - 1/4 cup tahini
15 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
16 - 2 tablespoons water, plus more as needed
17 - 1 clove garlic, minced
18 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
19 - Salt to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Set oven temperature to 425°F
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine diced zucchini, chopped bell pepper, sliced red onion, and diced eggplant with olive oil, dried oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss until all vegetables are evenly coated.
03 - Spread seasoned vegetables in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking, until vegetables are tender and show light caramelization at the edges.
04 - While vegetables roast, combine tahini, lemon juice, water, minced garlic, ground cumin, and salt in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and well combined. Add additional water as needed to achieve a pourable consistency.
05 - Divide mixed salad greens equally among four bowls. Layer each bowl with cooked chickpeas, roasted vegetables, avocado slices, halved Kalamata olives, and a generous portion of hummus.
06 - Drizzle tahini dressing over each bowl immediately before serving.

# Tips from the pros:

01 -
  • It's a one-bowl dinner that feels restaurant-quality: no fussy plating required, just honest, beautiful food.
  • Every component is flexible: swap vegetables based on what's seasonal or what's languishing in your crisper drawer.
  • It actually keeps you satisfied: the combination of chickpeas, healthy fats, and greens means you won't be hunting for snacks two hours later.
02 -
  • Undercooked eggplant is a real disappointment: if it's still pale and firm after thirty minutes, it needs more time—the skin should wrinkle slightly and the flesh should be completely tender.
  • Don't dress the greens ahead of time: I learned this the hard way when I assembled a bowl for lunch and came back to find sad, wilted leaves by evening—add the dressing just before eating.
  • The tahini dressing thickens as it sits: if you're making it ahead, add an extra tablespoon of water and it'll be perfect when you need it.
03 -
  • Don't be shy with the tahini dressing: it's not a garnish, it's the soul of the bowl—drizzle generously and don't worry about using it all.
  • Roast your vegetables the night before: they actually taste even better cold the next day, and it cuts your assembly time down to minutes when you're actually hungry.
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