These healthy vegan dragon bowls will soon be one of your favorite meals.

They’re full of healthy ingredients and topped with the most delicious miso gravy that really brings it all together. Perfect for sauce lovers!

A bowl of potatoes, broccoli, tomato, cucumber and cheese topped with a creamy sauce.

About the Recipe

These dragon bowls feature crispy oven-baked fries, steamed broccoli and cauliflower, fresh veggies and the best homemade miso gravy.

The veggies are placed in a bowl and topped with the addictive miso gravy made for a flavorful and nutrient-packed meal you’ll keep definitely keep on rotation. It’s one of my favourite dishes!

It may seem like there’s a lot to do but it’s an easy recipe once you get the hang of it. Get the potatoes in the oven, then chop the veggies, steaming the broccoli and cauliflower together, while you make the miso gravy then pile everything in a bowl and dig in!

Bowls are the best for a comforting, healthy meal that tastes amazing, and are a great way to eat lots of veggies. Some more of my favourite bowl recipes are this Vegan Sushi Bowls, Harvest Bowls, Roasted Cauliflower Burrito Bowls and Low-Carb Vegan Dinner Bowls.

Ingredient Notes

Visual of ingredients labelled with text overlay for making vegan dragon bowls with miso gravy.
  • Potato: Use russet potato or Yukon gold. You can also try sweet potato for a variation.
  • Broccoli and Cauliflower: These two cruciferous veggies add tons of nutrition, flavor and texture to the bowls. If you’re missing one or the other though, no big deal! These bowls are easily customizable.
  • Beet and Carrot: These two are used raw and grated. If you only have one or other, that’s ok, though both are best! You could use shredded green cabbage or red cabbage as a subsitute.
  • Tomato and Cucumber: Again, if you only have one on hand or don’t like tomatoes like me, go ahead and mix and match.
  • Broth: Any kind of vegetable broth or stock can be used. Carton, homemade or powder/cubes all work fine.
  • Flour: Use brown rice flour, spelt flour, all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour. If you need the recipe to be gluten-free, make sure you choose the brown rice flour option.
  • Miso Paste: Use white or yellow mild miso paste. If you’re not familiar, miso paste is a fermented soy bean paste used to add amazing umami flavour to all kinds of dishes. It’s easy to find in well-stocked grocery stores or any Asian food market.
  • Nutritional Yeast: This adds more depth of flavour/umami to the gravy.
  • Arrowroot or Cornstarch: Used for thickening the gravy, either works fine!
  • Soy Sauce: Swap for gluten-free tamari for a gluten-free recipe.

This list is not complete. Please see the recipe card at the end of the post for the complete ingredient list with measurements and detailed instructions.

Variations & Additions

  • The potato can be substituted with your choice of grain such as brown rice or quinoa. Use about 1/2 cup per bowl. Sweet potato works too!
  • Chickpeas make a good addition if you’re not adding the tofu.
  • Sesame seeds and green onions make good additional toppings. A sprinkle of pumpkin seeds works for some nice crunch.
  • Grated cheddar cheese and tofu are suggested as optional ingredients. The miso gravy and hot fries melts the cheese and it’s so delicious. Tofu is good for adding protein.
  • For alternatives sauces, this Miso Tahini Dressing or the peanut sauce from these Peanut Tofu Bowls would be good.
  • Roasted vegetables make a good addition or alternative to the potato, broccoli or cauliflower. Try roasted sweet potatoes, butternut squash or Brussels sprouts.
  • Other fresh veggies that work well are sprouts, bean sprouts, cabbage, avocado or bell pepper.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sliced potato wedges spread out on a baking tray.

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 425 F. Slice the potatoes and toss with salt and pepper. Prepare a pan with parchment paper, a silicone baking mat or give it a light coating of non-stick cooking spray. Line the potatoes on it so they each have some space around them.

Bake for 25 minutes then flip and bake for another 15-20 minutes until golden brown and crispy. While the potatoes are baking, first prep the vegetables, then make the miso gravy.

Steamed chopped broccoli and cauliflower in a steamer basket.

Step 2. Cut the broccoli and cauliflower in florets. Place them all in a steamer basket. Add about 1″ of water to a pot and bring it to a boil over medium heat.

Once the water is boiling, place the steamer basket with the broccoli and cauliflower inside, cover with a lid and cook for 4-5 minutes or until the broccoli and cauliflower are brightly coloured and cooked al dente. Remove the steamer basket from the pot and set aside.

If you don’t have a steamer basket, you can steam them in a shallow pan with just a bit water.

Try not to overcook them. They should be brightly coloured and still have some crunch to them when ready.

Step 3. Peel and finely grate the beets and carrots. Slice the tomatoes and cucumbers into bite sized pieces. 

Chopped cucumber, chopped tomato, grated beet and carrot on a cutting board.
Cubed tofu and grated cheese on a cutting board.

Optional: For an added layer of deliciousness and a boost in protein, you can add grated cheese and tofu to the bowls. Prepare those now as well, if using.

Thick miso gravy in a small saucepan with a whisk.

Step 4. To make the gravy, add all of the ingredients to a small saucepan and whisk over medium heat until it has a thick consistency, about 6-7 minutes.

Pouring gravy over baked fries, tofu and cheese in a bowl.

Step 5. Divide the roasted fries amongst serving bowls. If you’re adding tofu and grated cheese, sprinkle them over the fries and then add some of the miso gravy, reserving some for drizzling on top of the finished bowls.

Layering miso gravy and a bit of cheese over the fries is key to the most delicious recipe!

Pouring gravy over a colourful bowl of vegetables.

Divide the steamed cauliflower and broccoli and the rest of the veggies amongst the bowls and drizzle each with the remaining gravy.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make miso gravy in advance?

Yes. You can make miso gravy in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days in a sealed jar or container in the fridge.

How long do dragon bowls keep?

Dragon bowls can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days though are best enjoyed fresh. I recommend storing the miso gravy separately until serving, if possible.

Can I freeze dragon bowls?

This recipe is not freezer-friendly.

Tips for Oil-Free Fries

  • Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
  • Don’t overcrowd the pan, each fry should have a little space around it. This is key for crispy fries!
  • Sprinkle with salt and pepper and any spices you like before roasting. Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and chili powder all work well.
  • Preheat the oven before baking.
Bowl of potato, beet, carrot, cucumbers and tomato topped in a creamy sauce.

Recipe Notes

  • The veggies are easy to mix and match so don’t worry if you don’t have exact amounts of everything.
  • The veggie amounts can be adjusted for however many bowls you’re making. I use 1 small-medium sized potato per bowl and about 1/2 cup each of the other veggies but the amounts don’t need to be exact.
  • The gravy makes enough for 4 bowls but leftovers can be stored in the fridge and used for other things. Try it over brown rice, white rice, crispy baked tofu, vegan mashed potatoes, mashed cauliflower, roasted vegetables or other bowls like this lentil nourish bowl or farro chickpea vegetable bowl. It’s also the perfect dip for fries!

Did you try this recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Scroll down to the comment section to leave a star rating and review.
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Overhead view of a colourful bowl of vegetables topped with a creamy sauce.

Vegan Dragon Bowls with Miso Gravy

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 3 reviews
  • Author: Deryn Macey
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 45 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 4
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

These amazing, veggie-loaded dragon bowls are topped with the most addictive and delicious miso gravy. 


Ingredients

For Each Dragon Bowl:

  • 1 medium sized potato
  • 1/2 cup steamed broccoli
  • 1/2 cup steamed cauliflower
  • 1/2 cup peeled and grated beet
  • 1/2 cup peeled and grated carrot
  • 1/2 chopped tomato
  • 34 slices of cucumber
  • salt and pepper, to season the potato
  • 23 tbsp grated vegan cheese, optional
  • 1/2 cup firm tofu, cubed, optional

For the Miso Gravy

  • 1 1/4 cup vegetable stock
  • 2 tbsp brown rice flour
  • 2 tbsp white miso paste
  • 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 1 tbsp arrowroot powder or cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce or gluten-free tamari

Instructions

  1. Roast the Potatoes. Pre-heat the oven to 425 F. Slice the potatoes into evenly sized fry shapes. Line a pan with parchment paper or a baking mat or give it a light coating of non-stick cooking spray. Line the potatoes on the pan so they each have some space around them. Sprinkle with salt and pepper then bake for 25 minutes, flip and bake for another 15-20 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
  2. Steam the cauliflower and broccoli. Chop the cauliflower and broccoli into florets. Bring 1 inch of water to a boil in a saucepan, add the cauliflower and broccoli to a steamer basked and steam over the boiling water for 4-5 minutes until cooked al dente.
  3. Prepare the raw vegetables (and cheese and tofu). Peel and grate the carrot and beet. Chop the cucumber and tomato. If you’re using the cheese and tofu, prepare those by grating the cheese and cutting the tofu into small cubes.
  4. Make the miso gravy. To make the miso gravy, add all of the ingredients to a small saucepan and whisk over medium heat until it thickens, about 6-7 minutes.
  5. Assemble the bowls. Divide the roasted fries between your serving bowls. If you’re adding tofu and cheese, sprinkle them over the fries then top with some of the gravy, reserving some for drizzling on top of the bowls. Divide the steamed cauliflower, broccoli and the rest of the veggies between the bowls. Drizzle with a little more miso gravy. Enjoy!

Notes

The ingredients listed for the dragon bowls are for 1 serving. Adjust as needed for however many servings you’d like to make. Amounts don’t need to be exact! The gravy makes enough for 4 bowls but can be used for 1-2 and stored for other uses.

Inspired by the Gold Dragon Bowl at The Naam in Vancouver, BC.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 322
  • Fat: 2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 69 g
  • Protein: 14 g

Originally published January 26, 2013.