Three Bean Power Bowl (Printable Version)

Protein-rich bowl with beans, grains, fresh vegetables, and a zesty dressing for a wholesome meal.

# What You Need:

→ 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 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 - Dice all vegetables and slice avocado. Set prepared ingredients aside on a clean surface.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, and spinach.
04 - Fold cooked quinoa or brown rice into the bean and vegetable mixture.
05 - Pour prepared dressing over the mixture and gently toss until all ingredients are evenly coated.
06 - Divide the mixture into four serving bowls and arrange sliced avocado on top of each bowl.
07 - Sprinkle fresh cilantro or parsley and toasted seeds over each bowl. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to two days.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a complete protein powerhouse that actually tastes fresh and bright, not like you're choking down health food.
  • Everything can be prepped on Sunday and mixed throughout the week for grab-and-go lunches that don't get boring.
  • The dressing brings all the disparate ingredients into harmony—that's where the real magic happens.
02 -
  • Don't assemble this bowl more than a few hours ahead if you're using avocado, as it will brown and the overall texture becomes less appealing as everything gets soggier.
  • The dressing is where most of the flavor lives—I learned this the hard way by making a dressing that was too timid, and the whole bowl felt flat until I tasted it properly and added more acid and garlic.
03 -
  • Make a double batch of dressing and keep it in a jar in your refrigerator for the week—it tastes even better after a day and transforms any bowl or salad instantly.
  • Taste your beans before you add them to make sure they're not too salty, and adjust your dressing accordingly so you're not fighting against over-seasoning.
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