Three-Bean Power Bowl (Printable Version)

Hearty bowl with three beans, crisp vegetables, quinoa, and zesty dressing for a nourishing 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 extra virgin 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 black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

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

# Directions:

01 - Wash and prep all vegetables including halving cherry tomatoes, dicing cucumber and bell pepper, thinly slicing red onion, and slicing avocado. Set aside on a cutting board.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified and well combined.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine drained black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, and spinach, tossing gently to distribute evenly.
04 - Add the cooked quinoa or brown rice to the bowl with the bean and vegetable mixture.
05 - Pour the prepared vinaigrette over the mixture and toss gently until all components are evenly coated.
06 - Divide the mixture equally into four serving bowls, ensuring each portion contains a balanced distribution of beans, vegetables, and grains.
07 - Top each bowl with sliced avocado, then sprinkle with fresh cilantro or parsley and toasted seeds if desired.
08 - Serve immediately at room temperature, or refrigerate covered for up to two days for meal preparation purposes.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It feels like a complete meal without any fuss, just layers of texture and color that actually fill you up.
  • You can prep it once and eat it all week, and it somehow tastes better on day two when the dressing has soaked into everything.
  • It's one of those rare dishes that works whether you're trying to impress someone or just feed yourself quickly on a busy night.
02 -
  • If you're using canned beans, rinse them really well under cold water to wash away the starchy liquid, it makes a huge difference in texture and taste.
  • The dressing can be made a day ahead and stored in a jar in the fridge, just shake it up before using because the oil will separate.
  • Don't skip the step of tasting the dressing before adding it, every lemon and every garlic clove is slightly different, so adjust as you go.
03 -
  • Toast your seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for just two minutes, the nutty aroma they release is worth the tiny extra effort.
  • If your quinoa tastes bitter, you didn't rinse it well enough before cooking, always rinse it under cold water until the water runs clear.
  • Make a double batch of the dressing and keep it in a jar, it lasts a week and turns any boring salad or grain bowl into something special.
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