Three-Bean Power Bowl (Printable)

Hearty bowl with three beans, quinoa, vegetables, and zesty dressing for a satisfying meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beans

01 - 1 cup cooked black beans, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 cup cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
03 - 1 cup cooked kidney beans, drained and rinsed

→ Grains

04 - 1 cup cooked quinoa or brown rice

→ Vegetables

05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
07 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
08 - 1 cup baby spinach or mixed greens
09 - 1 medium avocado, sliced
10 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced

→ Dressing

11 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
12 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
13 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
14 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
15 - 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
16 - 1 garlic clove, minced
17 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Garnish

18 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
19 - 2 tablespoons toasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds, optional

# How to Make It:

01 - Wash and prepare all vegetables by halving cherry tomatoes, dicing cucumber and red bell pepper, thinly slicing red onion, and slicing avocado. Set aside.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup or honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, and spinach or mixed greens.
04 - Add the cooked quinoa or brown rice to the bean and vegetable mixture.
05 - Pour the prepared dressing over the mixture and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
06 - Divide the dressed mixture into four serving bowls. Top each bowl with sliced avocado arranged decoratively.
07 - Sprinkle fresh cilantro or parsley and toasted seeds over each bowl. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to two days for meal preparation.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It packs serious protein without any meat, keeping you full for hours without the heaviness.
  • Everything comes together in one bowl, so cleanup is practically nonexistent.
  • The dressing is tangy and just sweet enough to make every bite interesting.
  • You can prep it ahead and it actually tastes better the next day when the flavors settle in.
02 -
  • Rinse canned beans thoroughly under cold water or they'll taste metallic and make the dressing cloudy.
  • Don't skip the maple syrup in the dressing, it's the secret that keeps the acidity from being too sharp.
  • Add the avocado right before serving or it will turn brown and lose its creamy appeal.
  • If you're making this ahead, store the dressing separately and toss just before eating so the vegetables stay crisp.
03 -
  • Toast your seeds in a dry skillet for two minutes before adding them, it brings out a deep nutty flavor you can't get any other way.
  • If your dressing tastes too acidic, add a pinch of salt instead of more sweetener, it balances everything without making it sugary.
  • Use a mix of greens like arugula or kale instead of spinach for a peppery or heartier bite.
  • Let the beans come to room temperature before tossing if you want the dressing to coat them more evenly.
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