Are you looking for a healthy and flavorful meal to add to your rotation? These vegan Mexican Buddha Bowls are perfect for you! The bowls are packed with nutritious ingredients, like black beans, rice, and veggies, and topped with a delicious Spicy Tahini Sauce. This is a great meal prep lunch or dinner.

A clear glass bowl with a serving of Mexican brown rice Buddha bowl.

Buddha bowls make great family meals because everyone can customize their serving. All the parts to the meal can be set out and served family-style!

This recipe for healthy Mexican Buddha Bowls is also perfect for parties because you can easily make larger batches of each part of the recipe and also vary the spice level of the foods.

Why You Need This Recipe

  • One of the best reasons to make Buddha bowls is the fact that you can use whatever is on hand. Think of this recipe as more of a framework that you can adapt to your needs.
  • Everything is bright, fresh, and nourishing. You’ll smile just looking at your bowl!
  • Ready in under 30 minutes – it’s also perfect for meal prepping the week, busy nights, or even making ahead the day before.

Key Ingredients

Ingredients for a Mexican Buddha bowl in small bowls on a white surface.

Black beans provide vegan protein that meat lovers also enjoy. You can use canned black beans to save time or cook them from scratch.

Sweet corn is a favorite veggie of most, so even kids will enjoy adding some to their bowls.

Avocado provides filling healthy fats and a creamy texture, whether you use slices or mash it up.

Fresh cilantro and lime are classic Mexican flavors used in Mexican food.

Tahini sauce brings the whole dish together and adds even more creaminess with no dairy. The delicious sauce helps bring together the power bowls and is reminiscent of queso fresco.

Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

Recipe Steps

Step One

Saute the onion in olive oil first to take out some of the bite, then let the beans heat through. Add your spice mix including chili powder to add some spice to your simple ingredients.

Cook rice on the side in a small saucepan of water while you cook the other ingredients.

Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

Black beans and onions sauteed in a skillet.

Step Two

Whisk the tahini sauce ingredients including the lime juice in a small bowl.

Taste and adjust seasoning or heat level.

Spicy tahini sauce in a small glass bowl next to a bowl of corn.

Step Three

Divide the bean mixture among four bowls and let everyone customize to their heart’s content. I hope you agree that this Mexican Buddha Bowl recipe is a great idea for a busy week.

I like to include cooked brown rice in my Mexican bowl. The whole grains really help make this a full recipe that keeps you energized.

A clear glass bowl with a serving of Mexican brown rice Buddha bowl.

Recipe Tips & Substitutions

  • This recipe is very forgiving. You can make adjustments based on the ingredients you have on hand. Feel free to add red onion, green onions, purple cabbage, bell pepper, roasted sweet potatoes, or tortilla chips.
  • This recipe is made plant-based. If you aren’t vegan or vegetarian, you can add cooked chicken or fish to the bowl. Or, add plant proteins like roasted tofu or crumbled tempeh.
  • Make your healthy bowls up to several days ahead of time. They will stay fresh in the refrigerator in an airtight container for at least 3-4 days.
A clear glass bowl with a serving of Mexican brown rice Buddha bowl.

Recipe FAQs

Can I add chicken?

Yes! This recipe is vegan as written to fit as many diets as possible. But you could easily add cooked shredded chicken or even ground beef to make these into burrito bowls.

What is a Buddha bowl?

The idea of a Buddha bowl is balance – a little bit of all foods to create a wonderful mixture of all sorts of nutrients. They are also traditionally served cold, which means this is perfect for packing for lunch. No need to reheat.

More Healthy Meals in a Bowl You Might Like

A clear glass bowl with a serving of Mexican brown rice Buddha bowl.

Don’t Miss These Meal Prep Resources!

10+ Meal Prep Tips for Beginners (Clean Eating)

Instant Pot Meal Prep Gift Guide (Plus Recipes)

15 Tips for Clean Eating on a Budget (Free Meal Plan)

20+ Vegan & Gluten-Free Recipes (Main Dishes)

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A clear glass bowl with a serving of Mexican brown rice Buddha bowl.

Mexican Buddha Bowls with Spicy Tahini Sauce

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5 from 1 review

Print Recipe

Are you looking for a healthy and flavorful meal to add to your rotation? These Mexican Buddha Bowls are perfect for you! The bowls are packed with nutritious ingredients, like black beans, rice and veggies, and topped with a delicious Spicy Tahini Sauce. This is a great meal prep lunch or dinner.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 onion, diced
  • 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 cup canned corn, drained
  • 1 cup cooked brown rice (warmed)
  • 1 cup finely chopped romaine lettuce
  • 1 avocado, halved and cut into cubes
  • 3 tablespoons tahini
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 limes, juiced
  • 1/4 cup salsa or pico de gallo
  • Chopped fresh cilantro (optional, for topping)

Instructions

  1. Pour your oil into a pot or skillet. Add the onion and sauté for a few minutes, or until the onion has softened. Add the black beans and water and let them cook with the onion for a few minutes to warm the beans.
  2. Then, lay out 4 servings bowls. Divide the black bean mixture between the bowls, along with the corn, rice, romaine, and avocado cubes. You can either toss the ingredients or keep them separate like a traditional Buddha bowl.
  3. Make the tahini sauce by combining the tahini, chili powder, cumin, and lime juice in a small bowl. Stir to combine.
  4. Top the bowls with the tahini sauce, salsa, and cilantro (optional) and serve immediately. Or, you can cover the bowls and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Notes

  1. This recipe is very forgiving. You can make adjustments based on the ingredients you have on hand.
  2. This recipe is made plant-based. If you aren’t vegan or vegetarian, you can add cooked chicken or fish to the bowl.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 302
  • Sugar: 3.1 g
  • Sodium: 193.1 mg
  • Fat: 15.9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 35.6 g
  • Fiber: 9.3 g
  • Protein: 8.7 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

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