There’s something incredibly satisfying about a well-constructed bowl recipe—it’s nourishing, customizable, and packed with flavors in every bite! If you’re searching for a vibrant and hearty vegetarian meal that captures the smoky, tangy essence of barbecue, this BBQ Bowl Recipe Vegetarian is going to be a staple in your kitchen.
Whether you’re a long-time plant-based eater or just looking to add more meatless meals to your rotation, this recipe delivers a medley of colors, textures, and tastes.
This dish brings together protein-rich beans, charred crisp vegetables, fluffy grains, and a luscious homemade BBQ sauce—all topped with crunchy slaw and creamy avocado. The best part?
It’s totally meal-prep friendly, perfect for weeknight dinners, and easy to adapt to your favorite veggies or grains. If you love big, bold flavors and crave comfort food without the heaviness, you’ll find yourself coming back to this vegetarian BBQ bowl again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bursting with Flavor: Sweet, smoky, tangy, and a little spicy—each bite is a festival of taste.
- Plant-Based Protein: Thanks to hearty beans and quinoa, this bowl will keep you full and satisfied.
- Customizable: Swap in your favorite veggies, grains, or toppings to make it your own.
- Meal-Prep Friendly: Make components ahead for quick lunches or dinners all week.
- Nutritious and Balanced: Packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals while keeping it light and energizing.
- Family-Friendly: Even meat-lovers will be asking for seconds!
Ingredients
Component | Ingredient | Quantity |
---|---|---|
Grain Base | Cooked quinoa (or brown rice, farro, or cauliflower rice) | 2 cups |
BBQ Beans | Canned black beans (rinsed and drained) | 1 can (15 oz) |
BBQ sauce (homemade or store-bought) | 1/2 cup | |
Roasted Veggies | Sweet potato (peeled & cubed) | 1 large |
Red onion (sliced) | 1 small | |
Red bell pepper (sliced) | 1 | |
Olive oil | 2 tbsp | |
Salt & Black Pepper | To taste | |
BBQ Slaw | Shredded cabbage (green or red) | 2 cups |
Carrot (julienned or shredded) | 1 medium | |
Apple cider vinegar | 1 tbsp | |
Maple syrup | 1 tsp | |
Salt | Pinch | |
Toppings | Avocado (sliced) | 1 |
Fresh cilantro (chopped) | 1/4 cup | |
Pickled jalapeños (optional) | To taste |
Equipment
- Baking sheet for roasting vegetables
- Small saucepan for warming BBQ beans
- Mixing bowls for slaw and other components
- Chef’s knife & cutting board for prepping veggies
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Serving bowls
Instructions
-
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. This ensures your veggies roast evenly and cleanup is a breeze.
-
Prepare the Vegetables:
In a large bowl, toss the cubed sweet potato, sliced red onion, and red bell pepper with olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Spread them in a single layer on the baking sheet.
-
Roast the Veggies:
Roast for 20–25 minutes, tossing halfway through, until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender and edges are caramelized.
-
Make the BBQ Beans:
While veggies roast, add the black beans and BBQ sauce to a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir and simmer for 5–7 minutes until warmed through and saucy.
Lower heat to keep warm.
-
Prepare the Grain Base:
While everything cooks, prepare your grain of choice (quinoa, brown rice, farro, or cauliflower rice) according to package instructions. For the quickest option, use pre-cooked grains or microwaveable packets.
-
Mix the Slaw:
In a mixing bowl, combine shredded cabbage, carrot, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt. Toss until evenly coated.
Let sit for 5–10 minutes to soften and develop flavor.
-
Assemble the Bowls:
Divide the cooked grain among serving bowls. Top with a generous scoop of BBQ beans, roasted veggies, and a handful of crunchy slaw.
-
Add Toppings:
Finish each bowl with sliced avocado, chopped cilantro, and pickled jalapeños (if using). Drizzle with extra BBQ sauce if desired.
-
Serve and Enjoy!
Dig in while everything is warm and the flavors are at their peak!
Tips & Variations
- Make it Vegan: This recipe is already vegan if you use a plant-based BBQ sauce.
- Switch Up the Beans: Try pinto beans, kidney beans, or lentils for a fun twist.
- Add Crunch: Top with roasted chickpeas, crispy onions, or sunflower seeds for extra texture.
- Spice it Up: Add hot sauce or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper to the BBQ beans for more heat.
- Meal Prep: Store the components separately in the fridge for up to 4 days. Assemble just before eating for best texture.
- Grain-Free Option: Use cauliflower rice for a lighter, low-carb bowl.
- Try Different Veggies: Zucchini, corn, broccoli, or mushrooms all roast beautifully and add variety.
“Customize your BBQ bowl with whatever you have on hand—this is the perfect recipe for using up odds and ends in your fridge!”
Nutrition Facts
Nutrient | Per Serving (1 Bowl) |
---|---|
Calories | Approx. 420 |
Protein | 13g |
Carbohydrates | 68g |
Fiber | 14g |
Fat | 12g |
Sugar | 13g |
Sodium | 720mg (varies with BBQ sauce) |
Note: Nutrition facts are estimates and will vary based on exact ingredients and portion sizes.
Serving Suggestions
- Family-Style Dinner: Serve all components separately and let everyone build their own bowl for a fun, interactive meal.
- Picnic or Potluck: Pack in individual containers for an easy, portable lunch or dinner outdoors.
- BBQ Platter Vibes: Add a side of cornbread, grilled corn, or a fresh salad for a cookout-inspired spread.
- Make It a Party: Pair with homemade lemonade, iced tea, or a refreshing Green Goodness Juice for a complete feast.
- Impress Guests: Top with a dollop of vegan sour cream and a sprinkle of smoked paprika for a gourmet touch.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a vegetarian meal that’s equal parts comforting and exciting, this BBQ bowl recipe is sure to become a favorite. It’s quick enough for a weeknight dinner, but impressive enough to serve at gatherings.
Plus, the endless possibilities for customization mean you’ll never get bored!
For those who enjoy exploring a world of flavors, don’t stop here. Try pairing your BBQ bowls with homemade bread, like my Green Chile Cheese Bread or finish with a sweet treat like Grandma’s Old Fashioned Bread Pudding With Vanilla Sauce.
And if you’re craving more plant-based comfort food, my Half Runner Beans Recipe is a must-try!
Embrace the creativity, eat the rainbow, and let your taste buds celebrate every bite of this delicious vegetarian BBQ bowl. Happy cooking!
📖 Recipe Card: Vegetarian BBQ Bowl
Description: A hearty vegetarian BBQ bowl packed with smoky flavor, fresh veggies, and protein-rich beans. Perfect for a quick, satisfying meal any night of the week.
Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT25M
Total Time: PT40M
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked brown rice
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (vegetarian)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 avocado, sliced
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss broccoli, bell pepper, and onion with olive oil, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Spread veggies on a baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes, stirring halfway.
- Warm black beans and corn in a saucepan over medium heat until heated through.
- Divide cooked rice among 4 bowls.
- Top each bowl with roasted veggies, black beans, and corn.
- Drizzle BBQ sauce over the bowls.
- Garnish with avocado slices and fresh cilantro before serving.
Nutrition: Calories: 410 kcal | Protein: 12 g | Fat: 14 g | Carbs: 62 g
{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Vegetarian BBQ Bowl”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A hearty vegetarian BBQ bowl packed with smoky flavor, fresh veggies, and protein-rich beans. Perfect for a quick, satisfying meal any night of the week.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT25M”, “totalTime”: “PT40M”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“1 cup cooked brown rice”, “1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed”, “1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)”, “1 red bell pepper, diced”, “1 small red onion, thinly sliced”, “1 cup broccoli florets”, “1/2 cup BBQ sauce (vegetarian)”, “2 tablespoons olive oil”, “1 teaspoon smoked paprika”, “Salt and pepper, to taste”, “1 avocado, sliced”, “Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Preheat oven to 400\u00b0F (200\u00b0C).”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Toss broccoli, bell pepper, and onion with olive oil, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Spread veggies on a baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes, stirring halfway.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Warm black beans and corn in a saucepan over medium heat until heated through.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Divide cooked rice among 4 bowls.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Top each bowl with roasted veggies, black beans, and corn.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Drizzle BBQ sauce over the bowls.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Garnish with avocado slices and fresh cilantro before serving.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “410 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “12 g”, “fatContent”: “14 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “62 g”}}