This tofu edamame buddha bowl features baked tofu, edamame, rice, cabbage and carrot for a healthy meal that’s high in plant-based protein and perfect for meal prep.

Bowl of cabbage, rice, tofu, carrot, edamame. Topped with creamy peanut sauce.

Introduction

Get ready for a flavour-packed dish with this delicious recipe for tofu edamame buddha bowls. It’s the ultimate combination of wholesome ingredients, bold flavours and satisfying textures.

To start, we’ve got some baked tofu and edamame for a satisfying protein source. Next, almond butter sauce made from an addictive bend of almond butter, sweet chili sauce, tamari and coconut milk. In addition, we’ve got colourful roasted cabbage and grated carrot, with hearty brown rice for a nutritious base.

Gather your ingredients, follow the simple steps and enjoy a wholesome, flavour-packed meal that will leave you feeling nourished and satisfied.

And if you’re a bowl lover, don’t miss these other fan-favourites: Sriracha tofu bowls, veggie power bowls, harvest bowls, BBQ tempeh bowls and peanut tofu bowls. Bowls are just the best, aren’t they?

Ingredient Notes

Labelled ingredients for making a tofu edamame buddha bowl.

Complete list of ingredients with measurements is located in the recipe card below.

  • Tofu: You can use firm or extra-firm tofu. I didn’t press it but you can if you have time.
  • Almond Butter: This can be substituted with peanut butter or for nut-free recipe, sunflower seed butter.
  • Edamame: Frozen, shelled edamame is perfect.
  • Cabbage: You can use red or purple cabbage.
  • Rice: You can use brown rice, white rice, quinoa or farro. For a low-carb option, try cauliflower rice.

Variations & Additions

  • Alternative Dressing Recipes:
  • Veggie Variations:
    • Swap out the cabbage for thinly sliced kale or baby spinach.
    • Add roasted or steamed vegetables like broccoli or zucchini.
    • Add fresh vegetables like snow peas, radish, bell peppers or pickled vegetables.
  • Grain Options:
    • Switch out brown rice for quinoa, farro or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
    • Rice noodles also work instead of rice.
  • Protein Boosters:
    • Use tempeh or a store-bought meat alternative instead of tofu.
    • Make this sweet chili tofu instead of baked tofu.
    • Add cooked chickpeas or black beans for additional protein and fibre.
  • Garnish:
    • Sprnkle with toasted sesame seeds or crushed peanuts.
    • Add a drizzle of Sriracha, hot sauce or sambel oelek.
    • Serve with fresh lime wedges.
    • Serve with finely chopped fresh cilantro.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Before you Start: Preheat the oven to 400 F. If you don’t have cooked rice on hand, start cooking that now according to package instructions.

Step 1: Bake the Tofu

Cube the tofu then place it in a bowl and gently toss with the soy sauce, pepper and garlic powder.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or use a bit of non-stick cooking spray) then place the tofu on the tray and bake for 30 minutes, flipping once half way through, until browned and crisp.

Cubed, baked tofu on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

Step 2: Make the Roasted Cabbage

Make the roasted cabbage by placing the sliced cabbage on a baking tray, sprinkling with salt, pepper and 1 tsp oil and roasting for 30-40 minutes until starting to brown and crisp.

It can go in the oven at the same time as the tofu. Alternatively, you could make this cabbage slaw instead of roasting the cabbage.

Quick Note: If you don’t have cooked edamame on hand, get that going after you get everything in the oven. It will only need a few minutes to cook.

Roasted red cabbage on a baking tray.

Step 3: Make the Sauce

Make the sauce by whisking all the ingredients together in a jar or bowl until completely smooth and creamy.

I like to use a sealable jar so I can just shake it to combine everything.

Creamy coconut almond butter sauce in a jar with a spoon resting in jar.

Step 4: Assemble the Bowls

Prepare 4 bowls or meal prep containers and divide the rice between them. Top each serving with the tofu, edamame, carrot and cabbage.

Bowl of rice, carrot and edamame sitting beside a baking tray of tofu.

Top the bowls with the almond butter sauce and enjoy!

Hand spooning sauce over a colourful bowl of rice, tofu and vegetables.

Recipe FAQs

Is this recipe gluten-free?

The recipe is gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free tamari and not soy sauce in the dressing. Be sure to verify any other ingredients used are gluten-free as well, like the sweet chili sauce.

Can make this nut-free?

Yes. To make this recipe nut-free, use sunflower seed butter or Wowbutter in the dressing instead of almond butter.

Can I make these for meal prep?

Absolutely! These bowls are a great option for meal prep. You can make the tofu, edamame, cabbage and rice in advance and store them separately or assemble the bowls in meal prep containers and store in the fridge for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy, reheat in the microwave.

Colourful bowl of rice, tofu, edamame, cabbage and grated carrot.

Storing & Prep

  • To cut down on prep time, any of the bowl components can be made in advance and stored separately up to 5 days in the fridge.
  • If storing assembled bowls, I suggest storing the sauce separately until just before serving. Assembled bowls will keep for 5 days in the fridge.
  • Sauce can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 1 week. It will thicken in the fridge so you may need to adjust the consistency with a little water after storing.

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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Colourful bowl of rice, tofu, edamame, cabbage and grated carrot.

Tofu Edamame Buddha Bowls

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 12 reviews
  • Author: Deryn Macey
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Cuisine: Asian
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

These delicious, colourful buddha bowls are packed with nutrition and full of flavour! Enjoy these yummy bowls for a healthy and protein-rich plant-based meal.


Ingredients

For the Baked Tofu

  • 1 400 g package firm or extra-firm tofu
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) soy sauce or gluten-free tamari
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

For the Almond Satay Sauce

For the Bowls

  • 2 cups (300 g) cooked shelled edamame
  • 5 cups roughly chopped red or green cabbage (approx. 500 g)
  • 4 medium carrots, grated 
  • 2 cups cooked brown rice 

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat the oven to 400 F.
  2. If you don’t have cooked rice on hand, start preparing that now according to package instructions. Depending on the type of rice used, you may need up to 45 minutes to cook it.
  3. To make the tofu, cube and toss with the soy sauce or tamari, black pepper and garlic powder. Prepare a baking sheet by either lining it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat or using some non-stick cooking spray. Place the cubed tofu on the tray and bake for 30 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
  4. To make the roasted cabbage, place the sliced cabbage on a large baking tray or two small ones in one layer. Add 1 tsp oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 30-40 minutes until starting to brown and crisp. This can go in the oven at the same time as the tofu.
  5. If you don’t have cooked edamame on hand, get that going after you get the tofu and cabbage in the oven. Cook according to package instructions. It will only need a few minutes. Once cooked, set aside until you’re ready to assemble the bowls.
  6. To make the sauce, whisk the sauce ingredients together in a jar or container or add to a jar with a lid and shake vigorously until smooth and creamy.
  7. Divide the cooked rice, grated carrot, cabbage, tofu and edamame between 4 bowls or storage containers. Finish them off with the sauce and serve right away or store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Notes

To cut down on prep time, any of the bowl components can be made in advance and stored separately up to 5 days in the fridge.

If storing assembled bowls, I suggest storing the sauce separately until just before serving. Assembled bowls will keep for 5 days in the fridge.

Sauce can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 1 week. It will thicken in the fridge so you may need to adjust the consistency with a little water after storing.

Can be enjoyed cold or reheated in the microwave until warmed to your preference.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 524
  • Sugar: 16 g
  • Sodium: 567 mg
  • Fat: 17 g
  • Carbohydrates: 71 g
  • Fiber: 13 g
  • Protein: 27 g

Originally published on January 6, 2019.