Three-Bean Power Bowl (Print)

Hearty bowl with three beans, quinoa, fresh vegetables, and zesty dressing for a satisfying meal.

# Components:

→ Beans

01 - 1 cup cooked black beans, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 cup cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
03 - 1 cup cooked kidney beans, drained and rinsed

→ Grains

04 - 1 cup cooked quinoa or brown rice

→ Vegetables

05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
07 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
08 - 1 cup baby spinach or mixed greens
09 - 1 medium avocado, sliced
10 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced

→ Dressing

11 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
12 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
13 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
14 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
15 - 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
16 - 1 garlic clove, minced
17 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

18 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
19 - 2 tablespoons toasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds, optional

# Directions:

01 - Wash and cut all vegetables including tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, and avocado. Measure spinach and set all components aside on a clean work surface.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until emulsified and well combined.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, add black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, and spinach. Toss gently to distribute evenly.
04 - Fold the cooked quinoa or brown rice into the vegetable and bean mixture, stirring gently to incorporate without breaking down delicate components.
05 - Pour the prepared vinaigrette over the mixture and toss gently until all ingredients are lightly coated and evenly distributed throughout.
06 - Divide the dressed mixture evenly among four serving bowls, creating an even base for each portion.
07 - Top each bowl with sliced avocado. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro or parsley and toasted seeds if desired. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It turns pantry staples into something that looks and tastes like you spent hours planning.
  • The protein from three different beans keeps you full without that heavy, weighed-down feeling.
  • Everything can be prepped ahead and tossed together in minutes when hunger strikes.
  • The tangy dressing ties it all together in a way that makes you want to lick the bowl.
02 -
  • Always rinse canned beans thoroughly or they can taste metallic and make the whole bowl feel heavy.
  • Dress the bowl while the quinoa is still warm so it soaks up the flavors instead of sitting on top.
  • Do not skip the maple syrup in the dressing, it balances the acid and makes everything taste more complete.
  • If meal prepping, keep the avocado and dressing separate until serving or everything gets soggy and brown.
03 -
  • Toast your seeds in a dry skillet until they smell nutty, it takes two minutes and makes a huge difference.
  • Use a microplane to grate the garlic directly into the dressing for a smoother, more evenly distributed flavor.
  • If your avocado is not ripe, skip it entirely rather than using a hard, flavorless one.
  • Toss the red onion slices in a bit of lemon juice before adding them to mellow the sharpness.
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