Remember that chickpea taco salad I promised last week? Well, it ain’t gonna happen. I had all intentions of sharing it this week but I went a little overboard when I was styling the bowls for the shoot and it turned into this chickpea taco buddha bowl instead.
[Tweet “Easy Chickpea Taco #BuddhaBowl #vegan #healthyeating”]
What’s the difference between a buddha bowl and a salad? I’m glad you asked because I googled it for ya. According to the internets, a salad is a cold dish of various mixtures of raw or cooked veggies while a buddha bowl is a bowl packed so full that it has a rounded ‘belly’ on the top, like the belly of a buddha.
I’m not sure how I feel about the ‘salads are cold’ definition but I piled all the toppings into this bowl until they were almost spilling out. So I’m thinking this qualifies as a chickpea taco buddha bowl and not a mere salad.
Chickpea Taco Buddha Bowl
And now that that random english lesson is out of the way, let’s talk about what’s really important: the chickpea taco buddha bowl.
Like all buddha bowls, this one is filled with lots of plant-based goodness. I started with a bed of lettuce but any leafy greens would work just as well. Then I topped it with some rice, red cabbage, sliced radishes, tomatoes, avocado and corn.
Finally, I topped it with the chickpea taco filling, which is simple AF but took me more than a few attempts to perfect.
I think the problem was that I usually eat my chickpeas plain or roasted because I think they take wayyy too long to absorb any flavour. So with this one, I wanted to take my time and make sure I got the combination of spices just right.
Luckily, I finally got it right this weekend and this chickpea taco buddha bowl, though subtly spiced, is packed with flavour and unbelievably satisfying. Plus, the chickpeas only need to cook for about 10 – 15 minutes.
Needless to say, this will definitely become a staple in my kitchen.
If you make this chickpea taco buddha bowl, I’d love to hear what you think. Leave a comment and rate the recipe or take a pic and tag me @ExSloth on Instagram!
More salads and bowls:
- 1 - 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- ¼ of a green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 15 oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp taco seasoning*
- 1½ tbsp prepared slasa
- a handful of cilantro leaves
- 1 handful lettuce or other leafy green
- 1 cup cooked brown rice
- 1 - 2 avocados, diced
- 2 radishes, thinly sliced
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- ½ cup red cabbage, sliced into thin strips
- ½ cup sweet corn
- Optional: cilantro-lime avocado dressing, tortilla chips for scooping and/or topping
- Prepare veggies and dressing if using and set aside
- Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet then add shallots, green pepper and garlic and sautee until the shallots are translucent
- Add chickpeas, vegetable broth, taco seasoning and salsa, stir and bring to a boil
- Lower the head and simmer uncovered for 5 - 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chickpeas have softened and the liquid reduces
- Stir in cilantro leaves in the last few minutes of cooking
- Once done, remove from heat and set aside
- To serve: divide lettuce into 2 - 3 serving bowls, top with chickpea taco filling, rice and prepared veggies
- Store any leftover chickpea taco filling in the fridge
Want more meals in bowls? Try this one:
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
- Buddha bowls or salads?
- What’s your favourite way to enjoy chickpeas?
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Anny great meal in a bowl is a POWER bowl to me and this looks delicious!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…DIY All-Purpose Seasoning + Pantry Supplies Storage Hacks
I have all these chickpeas in my fridge – because there is a restaurant that gives you SOOOOO MANY here in LA when you order a side – and I only eat 3 – 5 at a time because they’re so flavorful… SO I could make this salad for DAYS AND DAYS!
GiGi Eats recently posted…This ICE Is Nuts
So I always make bowls like this with black beans, but I have a ton of cans of chickpeas that need to get put to use with this recipe! Love making bowls for quick and easy lunches during the week.
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…Summer Vegetable Coconut Flour Pizza
I love the idea of using chickpeas for the taco filling. That’s so unique and definitely the perfect plant-based alternative. When I saw the avocado in that Buddah bowl, I automatically started thinking of avocado toast. Now I’m craving a thick, hearty slice of toast, smeared with mashed avocado, topped with the taco filling, and drizzled with salsa. I guess I know what I’ll be making for lunch!
xxMeah
Meah recently posted…Drop And Give Me ZEN
Can you deliver please? Looks amazing!
OMG this buddha bowl looks so good! I didn’t know that it what it meant, but that is a great way to describe it…I like it! I love both, but love all the taco flavors in this bad boy, so I would choose buddha bowl today! 🙂
ACKTIVE LIFE recently posted…Getting bACK Into The Routine
This looks fabulous! We’ve been eating a ton of bowls lately – Asian, Pizza, Breakfast… this needs to be added to the rotation!
This reminds me of an episode of the podcast The Sporkful where he debated the definition of a sandwich – it made my head hurt hahaha. I think for me I call it a buddha bowl/power bowl if there are grains in it, but a salad if there aren’t.
Whatever you call this though, it looks delicious. Anything with Mexican flavours and avocado, and I’m sold!
Chelsea’s Healthy Kitchen recently posted…Dairy Free Chocolate Tofu Pudding
Wow, I can’t believe it. It’s so providential, because I think I have all these ingredients!!! Maybe tomorrow’s lunch? Seriously, a power bowl like this would probably keep me satisfied for a lot longer than my ‘snacky’ lunches.
Emily Swanson recently posted…Ellie’s Story: From Skinny to Freedom
That is insanely beautiful! And I’m sure delicious. I love power bowls and will make this one asap!
Angela @ happy fit mama recently posted…6 Speed Workouts for Runners
Always love how bright and beautiful your recipes are! This looks great 🙂
this reminds of a place here called – currito that does taco bowl with chickpeas. i love your version with all the vibrant veggies though 🙂
dixya @food, pleasure, and health recently posted…Hemp Crusted Tofu
I seriously could eat all meals in a bowl…not sure why, is that weird?!? Ive been really into Buddha bowls lately, fresh veggies from my garden, add in beans/legumes, some healthy fat, herbs (I have a cilantro plant too!) and bam…deliciousness! can’t wait to try this!
That looks amazing! I love all the colours and the flavours would be delicious too 🙂
I did wonder why they were called buddha bowls. Thanks for the explanation and I too love buddha bowls. It’s everything you need. This one looks great! I love all the colors I’m looking forward to trying it. Pinned it! .
Can the chickpea taco mixture be frozen? Does it thaw well? Thanks!
Haha, been there! Sometimes the best recipes evolve unexpectedly. Forget the chickpea taco salad; a Buddha bowl sounds amazing! Sounds like you went full-on creativity mode. Reminds me of getting lost in Snow rider – you start with a simple trick and end up pulling off something epic. Can’t wait to see the final dish!