Grilled Veggies Quinoa Bowl with Lemon Garlic Tahini Sauce
A nourishing and colorful quinoa bowl topped with smoky grilled vegetables and drizzled with a creamy lemon-garlic tahini sauce. It’s plant-based, protein-packed, and perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Servings:4
Ingredients
For the bowl:
1 cup quinoa (uncooked, about 3 cups cooked)
1 zucchini, sliced into rounds
1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
1 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips
1 small red onion, cut into wedges
1 small eggplant, sliced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt & black pepper, to taste
For the lemon garlic tahini sauce:
¼ cup tahini
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tbsp olive oil
2–3 tbsp warm water
½ tsp cumin
Salt, to taste
Optional toppings:
¼ cup chopped parsley or cilantro
2 tbsp toasted pine nuts or pumpkin seeds
¼ cup crumbled feta
Instructions
Cook the quinoa:
Rinse quinoa under cold water.
Cook in 2 cups water with a pinch of salt: bring to boil, reduce heat, simmer ~15 minutes until fluffy.
Prepare and grill veggies:
Toss zucchini, peppers, onion, and eggplant with olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Grill on a hot pan or outdoor grill 3–5 minutes per side until tender and lightly charred. (Or roast at 200°C / 400°F for 20–25 minutes.)
Make the sauce:
Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, cumin, salt, and enough warm water until smooth and pourable.
Assemble bowls:
Add quinoa to each bowl.
Top with grilled veggies.
Drizzle with tahini sauce.
Garnish with parsley, seeds, and feta if desired.
Notes & Tips
Swap quinoa with couscous, brown rice, or farro.
Add chickpeas or grilled chicken for extra protein.
The tahini sauce keeps 3–4 days in the fridge—great for meal prep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use bottled tahini sauce instead?
Yes, but homemade is fresher and allows you to control thickness and flavor.
Q: Can this be eaten cold?
Definitely! It works great as a cold lunch the next day.
Nutritional Information
Calories: ~420 kcal
Protein: 14g
Carbs: 52g
Fat: 18g
Fiber: 9g