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Power bowl…grain bowl….tomato….toh-mato…tasty. Whatever name you give these guys, it’s all good in my book as long as you’re partaking in this flavor experience. Because let me tell you, this Cauliflower Shawarma Grain Bowl has got it ALL going on. Spicy, hot, sweet, tangy, herby – it’s a perfectly balanced vegan and gluten free flavor bomb that you need in your belly, stat.
Jump to:
- How to Make a Cauliflower Shawarma Grain Bowl
- Dietary Accommodations and Variations
- Make it a Meal Prep Bowl
- More Recipes You’ll Love
- Recipe
Grain bowls speak my foodie love language – little bits of this and that with some spice, some crunch, lots of veggies, smothered with a finger-licking sauce that ties it all together. LOVE.
So it’s with great enthusiasm that I present you with this cauliflower shawarma grain bowl. It’s a vegan and gluten-free spin-off of my chicken shawarma salad, and just like it’s inspiration there is so much to love about this bowl:
- perfectly spiced and caramelized cauliflower shawarma – cuz if you’re gonna lose the chicken, cauliflower is the perfect substitute
- crispy, nutty chickpeas bring on the crunch and protein
- refreshing tomato and cucumber salad adds subtle sweetness, and lots of herbaceous action
- and tangy, creamy tahini dressing cuts through the spice and heat – hello balanced flavors!
Like, WHOAH delicious.
What might be even BETTER news than the perfect flavor balance happening in this cauliflower shawarma situation is that this bowl is totally meal prep friendly. Happy, healthy lunchtime vibes (or dinner vibes, it’s all good) are calling your name!
How to Make a Cauliflower Shawarma Grain Bowl
Please don’t be intimated by the recipe length. This vegan shawarma bowl is super duper easy, but it does take a few steps to get there. Fair warning that you’re gonna have some dishes. Sometimes it’s the price you pay for flavor friends. Shall we get to it?
Step 1: Make the Shawarma Seasoning
Mix together the shawarma seasoning in a small bowl. This particular blend is definitely hot-spicy, so adjust the red pepper flakes according to your preference. For more spice and less heat in general, leave them out entirely.
Step 2: Roasted Cauliflower Shawarma
Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets. I like to go smaller so they roast at about the same rate as the chickpeas, which take only 20-25 minutes.
Toss the florets with some olive oil, and a little more than half of the shawarma seasoning, then spread onto a baking sheet. Roast ’em until they’re golden brown and crispy, and bite tender. I consider them “perfect” when I can easily pierce the stem with the tip of sharp knife.
Step 3: Crispy Chickpeas
Rinse a drain a can of chickpeas, then dry them really well. The drier they are, the crispier they’ll get. Toss them with some olive oil, spread onto a baking sheet, and pop them into the oven along with the cauliflower. Roast for 20-25 minutes, or until they’re browned and crisp. Remove from the oven, and toss with the remaining shawarma seasoning.
I prefer canned chickpeas for this recipe because they crisp up better. My from-scratch chickpeas are always too soft for roasting and crisping.
Step 4: Toss Some Cucumber Tomato Salad
While the cauliflower and chickpeas are roasting, whip together this super simple cucumber tomato salad.
Diced persian cucumbers, quartered cherry tomatoes, super thin red onions, mint, and parsley. That’s it. Maybe a bit of extra pepper if you’re feeling spicy (I did cuz I was). Toss it, set it aside.
Step 5: Bowl It, Sauce It, Eat It
Grain bowl time!
Layer about half a cup of quinoa (or your favorite grain) in the bottom of a bowl, then top with a quarter of the crispy chick peas, a quarter of the roasted shawarma cauliflower, and a quarter of the cucumber tomato salad. Drizzle with tahini dressing to taste, and serve immediately.
This bowl is FILLING y’all. I was stuffed after I finished it, and given my, um, interest in food – that’s saying a lot. 😀
Dietary Accommodations and Variations
- Naturally vegan and gluten free
- Dairy free, nut free, soy free
- 18g plant-based protein!
- Over a full serving of Vitamin C, and nearly two-thirds of your iron needs
- Don’t feel limited to quinoa, use any grain you love! Couscous, brown rice, quinoa, millet, farro or your favorite grain will work perfectly.
Make it a Meal Prep Bowl
This recipe translates to a meal prep bowl SO WELL. Layer the quinoa, chick peas, and roasted cauliflower in a meal prep container. I love meal prep containers with removable compartments for recipes like this, where you’ll heat one portion, but keep the other portions cold. Place the cucumber tomato salad in a second, smaller container, and the tahini dressing in a third.
When you’re ready for lunch, heat the quinoa and veggies for about a minute, then top with the tomato salad and tahini dressing. You’ll be the envy of every co-worker within sniffing distance.
More Recipes You’ll Love
If you love this vegan shawarma bowl, you’ll love these super flavorful vegan, vegetarian, and/or gluten free meals too!
- Roasted Vegetable Salad with Green Tahini
- Black Lentils with Roasted Vegetables
- Cauliflower Hummus with Za’atar
- Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Turmeric and Tahini
- No Mayo Potato Salad with Basil Vinaigrette
- Veggie-Packed Mushroom Kale Pasta
Did you make this Cauliflower Shawarma Grain Bowl? I’d love to know how it turned out! Leave a comment and a rating below.
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Recipe
Cauliflower Shawarma Grain Bowl
4.92 from 24 votes
Author: Danielle Esposti
Print RecipeRate this RecipePin Recipe
Please don’t be intimated by the recipe length. This cauliflower shawarma bowl is super duper easy, but it does take a few steps to get there. Fair warning that you’re gonna have some dishes. Sometimes it’s the price you pay for flavor friends.
Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
Cook Time: 25 minutes mins
Total Time: 40 minutes mins
Servings : 4
Calories: 505
Recommended Equipment
2 Baking Sheets
Ingredients
- 1 c quinoa
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 c water or vegetable broth
- 1 14-oz can chickpeas, rinses, drained, and dried
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- 3 tablespoon olive oil, divided
- ½ pint cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 2 persian cucumbers, diced into ½″ pieces
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ c chopped parsley
- ¼ c chopped mint
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- ½ cup tahini dressing
Shawarma Spice Blend
- 2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 2 teaspoon cumin
- 2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
Heat the oven to 400*F.
Rinse the quinoa, then place into a small pot. Cover with 2 cups water or broth and add ½ teaspoon salt. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed. Turn off the heat, and keep covered an additional 10 minutes.
Mix the shawarma spice blend until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
Rinse, drain, and dry the chickpeas. Be sure to dry thoroughly with a cotton kitchen towel or paper towels. Toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil, then spread onto a baking sheet.
Toss the cauliflower with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and just over half the spice blend. Set the remaining spice blend aside to use later. Spread the cauliflower onto a second baking sheet.
Place the baking sheets in the oven and roast, rotating once halfway through, about 30 minutes total. The chickpeas are done when they’re golden browned and crisp. The cauliflower is done when you can easily pierce the stems with the tip of a sharp knife.
While the cauliflower and chickpeas are roasting, make the tomato cucumber salad. Place the tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, mint and parsley in a small bowl, season with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper and toss.
Remove the chick peas from the oven and toss with the remaining spice blend and lemon zest.
Remove the cauliflower from the oven and sprinkle with the lemon juice.
Assemble the shawarma bowls. Divide the cooked quinoa between 4 bowls. Top with one-quarter of the chickpeas, one-quarter of the cauliflower, and one-quarter of the tomato cucumber salad. Drizzle with tahini dressing to taste and serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 505kcal (25%), Carbohydrates: 64g (21%), Protein: 18g (36%), Fat: 21g (32%), Saturated Fat: 3g (15%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 678mg (28%), Potassium: 1367mg (39%), Fiber: 17g (68%), Sugar: 6g (7%), Vitamin A: 1700% (1700%), Vitamin C: 116.3% (116%), Calcium: 120% (120%), Iron: 11.3% (11%)
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