Pin it Vibrant grain bowls featuring bold, globally inspired sauces like miso-butter and gochujang-maple, paired with roasted vegetables and protein for a satisfying, customizable meal.
I first made these sauce drizzle bowls for a relaxed weeknight dinner, and was amazed at how fun it was for everyone to choose their favorite sauce to top their bowl. Since then, it's become a go-to when we want something hearty, healthy, and vibrant but still quick to put together.
Ingredients
- Grains: 1 cup brown rice or quinoa, uncooked; 2 cups water or vegetable broth
- Roasted Vegetables: 2 cups broccoli florets; 1 large sweet potato, diced; 1 red bell pepper, sliced; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Protein: 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1/2 tsp smoked paprika; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/4 tsp salt
- Miso–Butter Sauce: 2 tbsp unsalted butter (or vegan butter); 1 tbsp white miso paste; 1 tbsp rice vinegar; 2 tsp maple syrup; 1 tsp sesame oil
- Gochujang–Maple Sauce: 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste); 1 1/2 tbsp maple syrup; 1 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp rice vinegar; 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
- Toppings: 2 green onions, thinly sliced; 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds; 1/2 cup pickled red onions (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Cook Grains
- Rinse brown rice or quinoa and combine with water or broth in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook until tender (about 20 or 25 minutes for rice, 15 minutes for quinoa). Fluff with a fork.
- Roast Vegetables
- Toss broccoli, sweet potato, and bell pepper with olive oil, salt, and black pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 25 or 30 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and tender.
- Prepare Chickpeas
- Toss chickpeas with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Spread on a separate baking sheet and roast for 15 or 20 minutes until crisp.
- Make Miso-Butter Sauce
- Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Whisk in miso paste, rice vinegar, maple syrup, and sesame oil until smooth.
- Make Gochujang-Maple Sauce
- In a bowl, whisk together gochujang, maple syrup, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil until fully combined.
- Assemble Bowls
- Divide cooked grains among four bowls. Top with roasted vegetables and chickpeas. Drizzle generously with one or both sauces. Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and pickled red onions if desired.
Pin it This meal is always a hit at family gatherings, because everyone can build their own bowl the way they like. It's a fun way to get kids and adults trying new sauces and vegetables.
Required Tools
Saucepan with lid, baking sheets, mixing bowls, whisk, chefs knife, and cutting board are all that you need to prepare these grain bowls quickly and easily.
Allergen Information
Contains soy (miso, soy sauce, gochujang), gluten (soy sauce, some gochujang), and milk (butter; use vegan butter if needed). For gluten-free, swap for tamari and check gochujang labels.
Nutritional Information
Each serving has about 420 calories, 13 g total fat, 65 g carbohydrates, and 13 g protein.
Pin it Enjoy these bold sauce drizzle bowls for a nourishing, fun dinner. They are a delicious way to explore new flavors while keeping it simple at home.
Recipe FAQs
- → What grains can I use for these bowls?
Brown rice or quinoa work well and provide a hearty base. For variety, try farro or barley.
- → Can I make this dish vegan?
Use vegan butter in the miso sauce and ensure other ingredients match your vegan dietary preferences.
- → How long do the sauces keep?
Store leftover sauces in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.
- → What proteins can be substituted for chickpeas?
Tofu, tempeh, or grilled chicken can replace chickpeas. Adjust spices for different protein choices.
- → How can I make this gluten-free?
Use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce and check gochujang labels to ensure all components are gluten-free.
- → What toppings add extra flavor and texture?
Try green onions, toasted sesame seeds, pickled red onions, kimchi, or fresh herbs for an added kick.