Skip to Content

17 Sauces for Buddha Bowls That Will Elevate Your Meal

I’ve attached a video for every recipe below from my favorite home cooks.

Sauces for Buddha Bowls

When it comes to Buddha bowls, sauces are the key to adding that burst of flavor that makes each bite exciting. Whether you’re looking for something tangy, nutty, or spicy, there’s a sauce out there that will elevate your bowl to a whole new level.

From creamy vegan dressings to zesty citrus blends, these sauces will transform your meals. Imagine drizzling spicy peanut sauce over your veggies or adding a spoonful of balsamic vinaigrette to your grains. The right sauce not only adds flavor but also ties all the ingredients together, creating a satisfying meal.

Get ready to discover simple and delicious sauces that are perfect for your Buddha bowls. With a variety of flavors to choose from, you’ll find that customizing your bowl has never been easier or more delicious.

Turmeric Tahini Sauce

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup tahini
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, combine tahini, water, lemon juice, and olive oil.
  2. Add the minced garlic and ground turmeric.
  3. Whisk the mixture until smooth and creamy.
  4. Season with salt and pepper to your taste.
  5. Serve immediately or refrigerate for later use.

Miso Ginger Sauce

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons miso paste
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 2-3 tablespoons water (to adjust consistency)

Instructions:

  1. In a small bowl, combine the miso paste and soy sauce.
  2. Add rice vinegar and honey (or maple syrup) to the bowl.
  3. Mix in the grated fresh ginger and sesame oil.
  4. Gradually stir in water, a tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
  5. Whisk all ingredients together until smooth and well combined.
  6. Drizzle or mix into your Buddha bowl and enjoy!

Green Mojo Sauce

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
  • 1 cup fresh parsley leaves
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 jalapeño, seeds removed
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions:


  1. Prepare the Ingredients: Rinse the cilantro and parsley. Peel the garlic cloves.



  2. Blend the Greens: Add cilantro, parsley, and garlic to a blender or food processor. Blend until you get a rough mixture.



  3. Add Jalapeño: Chop the jalapeño and add it to the blender. Blend again until smooth.



  4. Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in the olive oil and red wine vinegar. Sprinkle in the ground cumin, salt, and pepper.



  5. Blend Until Smooth: Continue blending until the sauce is smooth and creamy.



  6. Taste and Adjust: Taste your Green Mojo Sauce. Add more salt or pepper if needed. If you want it spicier, add more jalapeño.


Enjoy your flavorful Green Mojo Sauce drizzled over your Buddha bowl!

Lemon Basil Sauce

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Wash the basil leaves and pat them dry.
  2. Add the basil, lemon juice, and garlic to a blender.
  3. Blend on high until smooth.
  4. Slowly add the olive oil while blending to emulsify the sauce.
  5. Add the Parmesan cheese and blend again.
  6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Avocado Pesto

Ingredients

  • 1 ripe avocado
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves
  • ¼ cup pine nuts or walnuts
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • ⅓ cup olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions


  1. Prepare the Ingredients: Cut the avocado in half, remove the seed, and scoop the flesh into a blender or food processor. Add the fresh basil leaves, pine nuts (or walnuts), and garlic.



  2. Blend the Mixture: Pour in the lemon juice and olive oil. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. You may need to stop and scrape the sides occasionally.



  3. Season to Taste: Add salt and pepper to taste. Blend briefly to combine.



  4. Serve: Spoon the avocado pesto over your Buddha bowl. Enjoy!


Peanut Sauce

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger
  • 1/2 cup water
  • Optional: sriracha or chili oil for heat

Instructions

  1. Combine peanut butter and soy sauce in a bowl. Stir until smooth.
  2. Add lime juice and honey to the mixture. Mix well.
  3. Include garlic and ginger, stirring to blend all ingredients.
  4. Slowly add water to reach your desired consistency, stirring constantly.
  5. Adjust seasonings to taste. Add sriracha or chili oil if you like it spicy.

Ginger Soy Sauce

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon honey

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil.
  2. Add the freshly grated ginger and minced garlic.
  3. Stir in the honey until well blended.
  4. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
  5. Drizzle over your Buddha bowl and enjoy!

Cilantro Lime Sauce

Cilantro Lime Sauce is a fresh and tangy addition to your Buddha bowl. It adds a burst of flavor that complements a variety of ingredients.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons minced cilantro leaves
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • Salt to taste

Instructions


  1. Prepare the Cilantro: Wash and finely mince a handful of cilantro leaves until you have about 2 tablespoons.



  2. Combine Ingredients: In a small bowl, mix the minced cilantro, yogurt, mayonnaise, minced garlic, lime juice, and a pinch of salt.



  3. Stir Well: Stir the mixture well to combine all ingredients evenly.



  4. Chill: Set the sauce aside in the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes to let the flavors meld together.


Your Cilantro Lime Sauce is now ready to be drizzled over your Buddha bowl!

Chipotle Crema

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon honey

Instructions

  1. Prepare Peppers: Remove chipotle peppers from the adobo sauce. If you like it milder, use just the adobo sauce. For more spice, include the peppers.
  2. Blend Ingredients: In a blender, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, chipotle peppers (or adobo sauce), lime juice, and honey.
  3. Blend Until Smooth: Blend the mixture until smooth and creamy.
  4. Taste and Adjust: Taste the crema. Adjust the seasoning by adding more lime juice or honey, if needed.
  5. Chill: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Green Goddess Dressing

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup packed fresh cilantro
  • ½ cup packed fresh parsley
  • 1 lemon (juiced)
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 3 green onions (chopped)
  • ⅓ cup water
  • 2 tablespoons coconut aminos
  • ¼ cup soaked cashews

Instructions:

  1. Soak cashews in hot water for about 15 minutes.
  2. Roughly chop the cilantro, parsley, and green onions.
  3. Juice the lemon.
  4. In a blender, combine cashews, cilantro, parsley, green onions, garlic, coconut aminos, lemon juice, and water.
  5. Blend until smooth.
  6. Adjust water if needed for desired consistency.

Lemon Tahini Sauce

Ingredients Needed

  • 1/4 cup tahini
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2-3 tablespoons water
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions


  1. In a medium bowl, combine the tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, and honey or maple syrup.



  2. Add the minced garlic and mix well.



  3. Slowly add water, one tablespoon at a time, stirring until you achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.



  4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.



  5. Adjust any ingredients to your preference, and enjoy your Lemon Tahini Sauce over your Buddha bowl.


Sesame Ginger Sauce

Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon grated ginger
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Sriracha (optional)

Instructions:

  1. In a small bowl, combine the sesame oil, soy sauce, and rice vinegar.
  2. Add the honey, grated ginger, and minced garlic.
  3. Mix until all the ingredients are well blended.
  4. For some extra heat, stir in Sriracha.
  5. Drizzle over your Buddha bowl or use as a dipping sauce.

Kecap Manis (Sweet Soy Sauce)

Ingredients:

  • Soy sauce
  • Dark brown sugar
  • Garlic
  • Star anise
  • Cloves
  • Red chili (optional)
  • Water

Instructions:

  1. Combine ingredients. Mix soy sauce, dark brown sugar, minced garlic, star anise, and cloves in a small saucepan. If you like it spicy, add a chopped red chili.
  2. Heat the mixture. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
  3. Simmer. Reduce heat to low and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring often.
  4. Thicken. Let it thicken as it cools, but be careful not to overcook.

This sweet soy sauce brings a rich and slightly spicy flavor to your Buddha bowl, enhancing both taste and texture.

Miso Glaze

To make a delicious miso glaze for your Buddha bowl, you need the following ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons white miso paste
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 clove garlic (minced)
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 2 tablespoons water

Instructions:


  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the miso paste, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and maple syrup.



  2. Add the sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger to the mixture, stirring until combined.



  3. Slowly add the water, a little at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.



  4. Drizzle the miso glaze over your Buddha bowl and enjoy!


Tahini Sauce

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup tahini
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup warm water, adjust for consistency

Instructions


  1. In a medium bowl, mix tahini and lemon juice. Stir well.



  2. Add olive oil, honey, garlic, and salt. Mix until combined.



  3. Gradually add warm water. Stir until smooth and creamy.



  4. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. You can add more salt or lemon juice as per your preference.



  5. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.


Ginger Soy Glaze

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup water

Instructions:

  1. In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), grated ginger, and minced garlic.
  2. Heat the sesame oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
  3. Add the soy sauce mixture to the pan and bring it to a gentle simmer.
  4. In a separate small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water until smooth.
  5. Pour the cornstarch mixture into the saucepan and stir well.
  6. Simmer for 2-3 minutes or until the glaze thickens.
  7. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly before drizzling over your Buddha bowl.

Enjoy the sweet and tangy flavors of this ginger soy glaze on your favorite Buddha bowl ingredients!

Avocado Ranch Dressing

Ingredients:

  • 1 ripe avocado
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • ¼:

    1. Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, and scoop the flesh into a blender.



    2. Add Greek yogurt, buttermilk, minced garlic, and lime juice to the blender.



    3. Blend until smooth.



    4. Mix in chopped dill and parsley.



    5. Season with onion powder, salt, and pepper.



    6. Blend again until well combined.



    7. Use immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to one week.


Benjamin Happy Muncher

Hi, I'm Benjamin. I love cooking, long walks, and my girlfriend! Here you’ll find simple and delicious recipes that you can make in 30 minutes or less.