Creamy Vegan Buddha Bowl Dressing • Happy Kitchen (2024)

This vegan tahini dressing is the sauce you’ve been waiting for to drizzle over your vegan bowl to make it even more delicious. You can also use it on falafel, salads, oranything else you want adelightfullysweet and tart creamy vegan dressing for; this Buddha bowl dressing will make any plate more delicious.

Creamy Vegan Buddha Bowl Dressing • Happy Kitchen (1)

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Buddha bowls are a filling and satisfying vegan meal loaded with protein, healthy grains, fresh and roasted vegetables, and flavorful spices topped with the perfect Buddha bowl dressing.

This Buddha bowl sauce is going to take your favorite vegan meal to the next level. While many fresh vegetables and spices have a standout flavor all on their own, sometimes you encounter the perfect dressing that coaxes out even more flavor and enjoyment from a meal.

This Buddha bowl dressing hits that creamy goodness that marks an ideal salad dressing. And when you build that flavor with rich healthy fats, hints of sweetness, and slight tartness it’s going to work well with such a variety of dishes. Plus, it’s easy to make, and who doesn’t love that?

Creamy Vegan Buddha Bowl Dressing • Happy Kitchen (2)

What’s In A Tasty Vegan Tahini Buddha Bowl Sauce?

The secret to this tangy Buddha bowl dressing is the layers of flavor created by lemon, maple, and sesame. When you merge the slightly nutty creaminess of tahini with sour lemon and sweet maple, the magic starts to happen.

To start, you can make your own homemade vegan tahini paste or buy your favorite already made. Add in lemon juice and maple syrup, sesame oil, and some salt and you’ve got the best Buddha bowl dressing around.

Just mix it up in a blender or use your favorite stick blender to mix it up right in your jar. It emulsifies beautifully and the various tastes combine to be the ideal topping for your favorite vegan bowl, along with another awesome sauce, vegan cashew mayo.

Creamy Vegan Buddha Bowl Dressing • Happy Kitchen (3)

Why This Recipe Works

  • This recipe uses easy to find ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
  • This tahini dressing is an easy way to bring up some extra flavor to your food.
  • Tahini dressing goes with a wide variety of dishes.

What Goes With Buddha Bowl Dressing?

This maple tahini lemon sauce is great with more than just your ultimate Buddha bowl, too. Once you taste its refreshingly tangy flavor, you’ll be looking for more ways to use it.

Creamy Vegan Buddha Bowl Dressing • Happy Kitchen (4)

Fresh Veggies

Consider using it to dip your favorite bell peppers, carrot sticks, celery stalks, or broccoli into. The creamy lemon sauce will pair lovely with any summer vegetables you’d like.

Roasted or Grilled Vegetable Skewers

Savory grilled eggplant, acorn squash or zucchini, baked cauliflower, cabbage steaks, or veggie kabobs…this Buddha bowl sauce will work amazing with any of them.

Grain Salads

Quinoa salads, millet and broccoli, or brown rice and black beans will be enhanced by the bold and creamy flavors of this Buddha bowl dressing.

Appetizers

When you make up some vegan appetizers the next time you have friends over or you want a light, snack-like dinner, be sure to whip up this homemade vegan tahini dressing to go on the side. Imagine serving it with fresh vegan spring rolls or pita chips and veggies. Mmm.

Creamy Vegan Buddha Bowl Dressing • Happy Kitchen (5)

Cook’s Tips

  • This tahini dressing can be stored in an airtight jar in the fridge for about 7 days.
  • Depending on how thick your tahini paste is, you will need different amount of water to adjust the consistency. Start with 1 tablespoon and keep adding water until you like the consistency.
  • Use it for my Ultimate Vegan Buddha Bowl for maximum taste.

Recipe Variations

  • You can use any other sweetener of your choice instead of maple syrup: agave juice, honey or molasses.
  • You can use lime juice in place of lemon juice for this tahini dressing. It’ll taste just as good.
  • Olive oil can be substituted for sesame oil.

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What is your favorite way to use tahini dressing? Leave a comment below! Don’t forget to give a star rating to the recipe if you like it!

Make sure to check 82 best tahini recipes for other delicious ways to use tahini.

Here is the recipe video and recipe instructions for this yummy vegan buddha bowl dressing. If you can’t see the video, disable your AdBlock by clicking on the AdBlock button and selecting Don’t run on this page.

Creamy Vegan Buddha Bowl Dressing • Happy Kitchen (7)

Print

4.92 from 136 votes

Creamy Vegan Buddha Bowl Dressing

This vegan tahini dressing is the sauce you've been waiting for to drizzle over your vegan bowl, falafel or salads to make them even more delicious.

Course Condiment

Cuisine Middle Eastern

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 8 servings

Calories 74kcal

Author Elena Szeliga

$3

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup tahini paste
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon water + more if needed (up to 1/3 cup)

Instructions

  • Add tahini paste, lemon juice, maple syrup, sesame oil and salt in a cup of a food processor or blender and blend until smooth, gradually adding water. Use the sauce for Buddha bowls, salads, falafel and more. Enjoy!

Notes

Cook's Tips

  • This tahini dressing can be stored in an airtight jar in the fridge for about 7 days.
  • Depending on how thick your tahini paste is, you will need different amount of water to adjust the consistency. Start with 1 tablespoon and keep adding water until you like the consistency.
  • Use it for my Ultimate Vegan Buddha Bowl for maximum taste or dip vegan wraps, vegan German potato pancakes or zucchini corn fritters in it. Use it as a salad dressing, for example for vegan couscous salad or vegan coleslaw.
  • Make sure to try my vegan mayo, roasted garlic sauce, vegan bechamel, mojo verde, vegan buffalo sauce, vegan blue cheese dressing, and avocado dressing to mix things up!
  • See how to use the dressing in my buddha bowl dressing story.

Recipe Variations

  • You can use any other sweetener of your choice instead of maple syrup: agave juice, honey or molasses.
  • You can use lime juice in place of lemon juice for this tahini dressing. It'll taste just as good.
  • Olive oil can be substituted for sesame oil.

Nutrition

Calories: 74kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Sodium: 148mg | Potassium: 45mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin C: 1.7mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 0.3mg

Tried this recipe?Follow @happykitchen.rocks on Instagram and show me the recipes you are making from my blog using the hashtag #happykitchenrocks!

Other Vegan Sauce Recipes You’ll Love

  • Roasted Garlic Dressing
  • The Best Vegan Pesto
  • Avocado Dressing
  • Vegan Mac and Cheese Sauce
  • Vegan Alfredo Pasta Sauce
Creamy Vegan Buddha Bowl Dressing • Happy Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

What is Buddha sauce made of? ›

Add tahini paste, lemon juice, maple syrup, sesame oil and salt in a cup of a food processor or blender and blend until smooth, gradually adding water. Use the sauce for Buddha bowls, salads, falafel and more. Enjoy!

What are the 5 key components of a Buddha Bowl nourish bowl list at least 6 examples of ingredient choices for each component? ›

In general, they're made up of five key components:
  • Whole grains.
  • Veggies.
  • Protein.
  • Dressing.
  • "Sprinkles," such as nuts, seeds, herbs or sprouts.
Jul 21, 2023

Why is a Buddha Bowl healthy? ›

Brown or wild rice, polenta, quinoa, couscous, farro and rolled oats do a whole lot to give you a tasty meal and a full belly with less calories, and also aid in reducing diverticulosis and constipation.

What makes a Buddha Bowl a Buddha Bowl? ›

In summary, Buddha carried a bowl with him on his journeys and accepted food as donations, which he would eat at the end of the day. Katherine also mentioned that Buddha bowls are similar to macrobiotic (macro) bowls with whole grains and steamed or raw veggies.

Was Buddha vegetarian or vegan? ›

Instead of going vegetarian, some Buddhists will opt to prioritize preventing food waste over vegetarianism. While alive, the Buddha merely restricted his intake of meat but did not fully ban it. In fact, the Buddha's last meal was tainted pork which led to the Buddha contracting food poisoning and death.

Why is Chinese Buddha chubby? ›

Budai is traditionally depicted as overweight and having a huge stomach (possibly a symbol of abundance or forgiveness) and many stories surrounding Budai involve his love of food and drink. Because of this, he is also referred to as the "Fat Buddha", especially in the Western world.

What is the difference between a buddha bowl and a nourish bowl? ›

Unlike a pasta dish or a salad where all the ingredients are mixed, the items in a buddha bowl remain independent separate. Buddha bowls are similar to another type of dish called nourish bowls – however, the main difference is nourish bowls can include animal protein.

What is the difference between poke bowl and buddha bowl? ›

Buddha bowls have been compared to Nourish Bowls (a non-vegetarian version) and to Poké Bowls (a Hawaiian raw fish dish). There are several explanations for why the name refers to Buddha.

What is the difference between a macro bowl and a buddha bowl? ›

Macro Bowls: Nourish Bowl: also called Nourishment Bowls, are filled with simple, nutrient-dense ingredients to make a filling meal. Buddha Bowls: also called Hippie, Glory, or Sunshine Bowls, are often vegan or vegetarian (think: plant-based proteins), but meat is included in some recipes.

Are frozen buddha bowls healthy? ›

However, while fresh is always best, frozen buddha bowls are far from the worst thing you can put in your body when you're pressed for time. "From a nutritional perspective, freezing is a good way to preserve the nutrient content of food.

What country are buddha bowls from? ›

The origin of the Buddha bowl is a humble one. It is believed that Buddha, as he travelled across ancient India, would carry with him a bowl. For his meals everyday, he would go from door to door, where families would offer a small portion of whatever they had cooked.

Does a Buddha bowl have meat? ›

If you are new to buddha bowls, they are typically a vegetarian meal where everything is served in a bowl. It's less heavy on the greens than a typical salad and has more textures from grains, plant-based proteins, vegetables (either raw or cooked), and some kind of dressing or sauce to drizzle over the top.

How do you eat a buddha bowl? ›

I love finishing a buddha bowl with peanut sauce, lemon vinaigrette, green goddess dressing, cilantro lime dressing, hummus, or drizzles of sesame oil and soy sauce or tamari. Try a different pickle.

What is the legend of the buddha bowl? ›

"Buddha woke up before dawn every morning and carried his bowl through the roads or paths wherever he was staying. Local people would place food in the bowl as a donation, and at the end he would eat whatever he had been given," explains Zigmond.

What nutrients are in a buddha bowl? ›

Buddha Bowl - 1 bowl
  • Total Fat 31g 40%
  • Saturated Fat 5.1g 26%
  • Polyunsaturated Fat 5.8g.
  • Monounsaturated Fat 18g.
  • Cholesterol 69mg 23%
  • Sodium 642mg 28%
  • Total Carbohydrates 68g 25%
  • Dietary Fiber 8.5g 30%
Jan 27, 2017

What is a Buddha made out of? ›

Not surprisingly, given the wide reach of his teachings, the Buddha and other Buddhist deities have been interpreted widely, and in many different styles and materials. Artisans have used stone, stucco, terracotta, wood, lacquer, and metals such as bronze, gold, and silver to recreate them.

What's the difference between a Buddha and poke bowl? ›

Buddha bowls have been compared to Nourish Bowls (a non-vegetarian version) and to Poké Bowls (a Hawaiian raw fish dish). There are several explanations for why the name refers to Buddha.

What's the difference between fat Buddha and regular Buddha? ›

While the historical Buddha is portrayed as a contemplative, serene, peaceful, and skinny Buddha, the Fat Buddha is pictured as open-eyed and laughing.

What kind of food is Buddha? ›

The "Five Foodstuffs" (bhojantya or bhojana) recommended by Buddha were : (1) odana, boiled rice prepared with ghee, meat, fruit, etc; (2) sattu, baked grain-e, g., barley, graham flour, wheat, or millet-taken in the form of small balls or licked as a paste ; (3) kummasa, a boiled mixture of barley (or rice) and pulse ...

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