16 High-Protein Grain Bowl Recipes For Summer (2024)

These grain bowls make it easy for you to enjoy summer produce while meeting your protein intake goals. You'll get at least 15 grams of protein per serving from any of these nutritious recipes, thanks to lean proteins, whole grains and veggies. Plus, these healthy meals help you enjoy seasonal flavors with ingredients like herbs, avocado, cucumber and tomato. Recipes like our Chickpea & Quinoa Grain Bowl and Southwestern Cauliflower Rice Bowls with Shrimp & Avocado Crema will help you feel full, satisfied and ready to tackle anything the day throws your way.

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Fish Taco Bowls with Green Cabbage Slaw

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16 High-Protein Grain Bowl Recipes For Summer (1)

Fresh salsa verde, green cabbage and avocado all contribute to the vibrant green color of this light and bright fish taco bowl. We love the mild flavor and firm, meaty texture of halibut but any firm white fish like mahi mahi or tilapia will work well in its place. We garnish this flavorful taco bowl with cilantro, but if you want to take it a step further, try toppings like sprouts or watermelon radishes for even more bright green color.

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Chickpea & Quinoa Grain Bowl

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It seems grain bowls have as many variations as there are stars in the sky, and there is no wrong way to build one! But we prefer to keep things classic and simple with hummus, quinoa, avocado and loads of veggies!

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Southwestern Cauliflower Rice Bowls with Shrimp & Avocado Crema

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These healthy Southwestern cauliflower rice bowls, topped with black beans, corn and smoky chipotle shrimp, get a cool-down from homemade avocado crema and take just 30 minutes to make.

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Salmon Rice Bowl

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Inspired by the viral TikTok trend, this salmon rice bowl makes for a tasty lunch or dinner. With healthy ingredients like instant brown rice, salmon and veggies, you'll have a flavorful meal in just 25 minutes.

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Pesto Chicken Quinoa Bowls

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This pesto chicken quinoa bowl is packed with herbs from the basil pesto and the Italian spice mix and gets a slight kick of heat from the red pepper. If you enjoy the flavor profile, this dish can also be made with orzo in place of quinoa.

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Tuna Poke

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Poke (pronounced poke-ay), a Hawaiian word meaning "to chop" or "to cut," refers to a traditional Hawaiian salad of diced raw fish in a simple, soy-based sauce with punchy seasonings like toasted sesame and chopped scallion greens. These tuna poke bowls feature seasoned brown rice and fresh veggies for a healthy, satisfying meal packed with protein and fiber.

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Vegan Superfood Grain Bowls

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This nutrient-packed grain bowl recipe comes together in 15 minutes with the help of a few convenience-food shortcuts like prewashed baby kale, microwavable quinoa and precooked beets. Pack these ahead to keep on hand for easy meal-prep lunches or dinners on busy nights.

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Chicken-Quinoa Bowl with Strawberries & Pecans

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This simple chicken grain bowl makes a perfect family dinner. Let everyone customize their meal by portioning the greens and grains into bowls, then serving the remaining ingredients buffet-style so eaters can pick and choose what they want to top theirs with.

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Cilantro-Lime Shrimp Bowl

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This cilantro-lime shrimp bowl has tons of flavor and texture. The cilantro-lime shrimp is tangy and fresh, with brown rice and creamy avocado to balance the flavor. The two-chile cream sauce is easy to make and brings all the flavors of this bowl dinner together.

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Meal-Prep Chili-Lime Chicken Bowls

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Skip takeout and whip up these equally delicious and easy-to-make burrito bowls at home. They're great for a fast and easy dinner or a healthy meal to pack for work throughout the week.

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Brown Rice Shrimp Bowl with Tomatoes & Avocado

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This quick and easy bowl pairs brown rice with cooked shrimp, tossed in a ginger-soy-sesame sauce, to create a flavorful dish in no time. Topping with tomatoes and avocado adds color and nutrients. Use leftover brown rice or pick up a package of pre-cooked brown rice from the grocery store to keep this meal no-cook.

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Buffalo Chicken Grain Bowl

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Get the flavors of spicy Buffalo chicken wings, without frying, in this nutritious couscous bowl loaded with protein and crisp veggies.

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Black Bean-Quinoa Bowl

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This black bean and quinoa bowl has many of the usual hallmarks of a taco salad, minus the fried bowl. We've loaded it up with pico de gallo, fresh cilantro and avocado plus an easy hummus dressing to drizzle on top.

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Salmon Sushi Grain Bowl

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Get all the delicious flavors of sushi without the time-consuming rolling with this quick grain bowl recipe. All you need is 15 minutes to get this healthy dinner on the table or to pack it up for lunch at work.

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Breakfast Bowl with Egg, Spinach & Feta

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This breakfast bowl with eggs, spinach and sesame-crusted feta is absolutely delicious. The sesame seeds add nuttiness and crunch to the feta, while the inside remains soft and creamy. If you're in a pinch for time, you can skip the step of cooking the feta, and use toasted sesame and crumbled feta as a garnish instead.

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Green Goddess Farro Bowl

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Farro and vegetables with a thick green goddess dressing pack this grain bowl with plenty of flavor. Finish it off with chicken, or use white beans as a plant-based protein alternative. (To make this bowl completely vegetarian, omit the anchovy paste from the dressing.) If you can't find fava beans, try thawed frozen lima beans or edamame in their place.

16 High-Protein Grain Bowl Recipes For Summer (2024)

FAQs

How much protein is in a grain bowl? ›

These grain bowls make it easy for you to enjoy summer produce while meeting your protein intake goals. You'll get at least 15 grams of protein per serving from any of these nutritious recipes, thanks to lean proteins, whole grains and veggies.

What does a protein bowl consist of? ›

The main ingredients in protein power bowls — lean protein, whole grains, and veggies — make for a very filling meal. Protein and fiber are two key nutrients known to help you feel fuller for longer.

Are protein bowls good for weight loss? ›

Protein bowls are a great lunch or dinner option for weight loss because your body will benefit from the protein, plus there are many ways to make this kind of meal delicious and fun.

What is the formula for grain bowls? ›

My formula for simple and satisfying grain bowls includes the following: ½ – ⅔ cup grains. ½ cup green leafy vegetables. ½ – ⅔ cup vegetables (and fruits)

What is the healthiest bowl base? ›

Start with your base of good quality carbohydrates to create the perfect canvas base for your bowl. Look for whole grains like brown rice, farro, or quinoa. These have a ton of fiber and a lower glycemic index, meaning they won't spike your blood sugar levels like refined grains will.

What type of grain is high in protein? ›

While whole grains are predominantly sources of carbohydrates and fiber, certain whole grains, such as Kamut, teff, amaranth, quinoa, and farro, contain higher levels of protein compared to other plant foods.

Are grains better than rice? ›

The bottom line: Ancient grains aren't a miracle food for your metabolic health, but they're typically a better choice than white rice. If you want to try them (or if they're already a staple in your diet), read on to learn the kernels of truth about some common varieties.

What protein goes well with rice? ›

A few example proteins include chicken, eggs, beef or vegan and vegetarian options include: beans, quinoa, tofu and tempeh. If you're a beef lover, try this Mexican seasoned Beef Stir Fry that combines: Carb: Carolina® White Rice.

Are protein bowls healthy for you? ›

They are jam-packed with nutrients that will keep you full and going all day long. Each meal is delicious, unique, full of flavor, and nutritious - you will never get bored of your meals again. A well-balanced and satisfying meal, all in one bowl.

What kind of protein to lose weight? ›

Whey protein has been linked to some impressive benefits, including greater weight loss, improved satiety and better body composition ( 32 , 33 ). When overweight and obese adults took 56 grams of whey protein daily for 23 weeks, they lost 5 pounds (2.3 kg) without changing anything else in their diet ( 34 ).

Will eating chicken and rice everyday help me lose weight? ›

Yep, chicken and rice is a solid meal choice for weight loss. Chicken is a great source of lean protein, meaning it'll supply more protein for less calories than other cuts of meat like lean steak or salmon. Plus, the combo of carbs and protein will keep you satisfied for hours.

What are 3 things you know about grains? ›

Eating whole grains as part of a healthy diet may reduce the risk of getting heart disease. Eating whole grain foods that have fiber, as part of an overall healthy diet, can support healthy digestion. Eating whole grains, as part of an overall healthy diet, may help with weight management.

Why are grain bowls so popular? ›

K-12 Food Trend #1: Grain Bowls

Sweet or savory, the versatility and flexibility of grain bowls make it easier to add nutritional content while creating tasty, colorful dishes.

Are grain bowls good? ›

A grain bowl is an excellent balanced meal and a good option for meal prepping. Get our FREE recipe guide with our most popular recipes of all time!

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