Vegan Mediterranean Buddha Bowl (Printable)

Colorful bowl with roasted vegetables, chickpeas, avocado, olives, and creamy tahini dressing over fresh greens.

# What You 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 (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

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
02 - In a large bowl, toss diced zucchini, chopped bell pepper, sliced red onion, and diced eggplant with olive oil, dried oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Spread evenly in a single layer on a baking sheet.
03 - Roast vegetables for 25 to 30 minutes, tossing halfway through, until tender and lightly caramelized.
04 - While vegetables roast, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, water, minced garlic, ground cumin, and salt in a small bowl. Add additional water as needed to achieve a pourable consistency.
05 - Divide mixed salad greens evenly among four bowls. Top each bowl with chickpeas, roasted vegetables, avocado slices, halved olives, and a generous portion of hummus.
06 - Drizzle tahini dressing over each bowl immediately before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Every component can be prepped ahead, making weeknight dinners feel intentional rather than rushed.
  • It's genuinely satisfying in a way that feels nourishing rather than restrictive, thanks to the creamy avocado and rich hummus.
  • The roasted vegetables develop this caramelized sweetness that transforms something simple into something you'll crave again.
02 -
  • Don't add the avocado to a bowl you plan to eat later; it browns and oxidizes quickly, so slice it only when you're about to eat.
  • The tahini dressing thickens as it sits, so make it on the thinner side if you're serving these bowls to multiple people over time.
  • Roasting vegetables at 425°F gets them caramelized rather than just soft, which is the entire secret to why they taste so much better than raw vegetables in a salad.
03 -
  • Prep your roasted vegetables and tahini dressing ahead of time; bowls come together in minutes once everything's ready, making them ideal for meal prep or unexpected dinner guests.
  • Pat your canned chickpeas dry before adding them—excess moisture is what makes them fall apart or taste watery rather than intact and nutty.
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