These sauces for Buddha bowls will make your tastebuds sing!
A sauce that ties all the flavors together is at the core of every great Buddha bowl. It gives character to every mix, turning simple components into flavorful feasts.
With endless options from tangy zests to creamy blends, there’s always a new flavor to try. I’ve gathered 17 of my favorites to help you decide.
Check out these sauces for Buddha bowls for a memorable vegan meal.
What Are Buddha Bowls?
Buddha bowls are a vegan meal filled with a mix of fresh veggies, protein, grains, and a flavorful sauce drizzled on top.
There are several theories about how their name came to be.
Some believe it comes from the bowl’s full and rounded appearance. It mirrors the belly of Budai, a Chinese monk often mistaken for Buddha.
Others say the concept reflects balance, a core principle in Buddhism.
The name might also tie back to tales of Buddha filling his food bowl with offerings from villagers.
Whatever the origin, these bowls are a delightful combination of health and flavor.
Best Sauces for Buddha Bowls
Amp up your Buddha bowl game with these 17 must-try sauces!
1. Creamy Vegan Buddha Bowl Dressing
This creamy vegan Buddha bowl dressing elevates your bowl from good to unforgettable.
Made from rich, nutty tahini combined with lemon and maple, it’s a taste sensation.
This dressing gives you a delightful mix of sweet and tart. It’s a perfect balance that complements any bowl.
Whether adding it to greens, grains, or roasted veggies, this dressing is bound to be a regular in your kitchen.
2. Cafe Yumm Sauce
Cafe Yumm sauce is the star player from the iconic Portland-based eatery, Cafe Yumm.
Known for their signature vegetarian bowls, this place piles on rice and beans and then drizzles them with this sauce.
The sauce is a creamy delight, packed with flavors of lemon, garlic, and a medley of spices like curry and cumin.
The unique texture, achieved by almond flour and nutritional yeast, also gives it a cheesy richness.
Ingredients like garbanzo beans and tofu amp up its heartiness.
3. Peanut Sauce
Peanut sauce is a perfect blend of creamy and savory, making any Buddha bowl instantly irresistible. It instantly ties together all the vibrant ingredients in your bowl.
A hint of citrus beautifully balances its sweetness and nuttiness. Add a touch of sesame for depth for an incredible sauce with complex flavors.
Whether you’re a veggie lover or on the fence, a generous drizzle of this peanut sauce can transform any bowl.
4. Raita Sauce
Raita sauce is a cool, creamy delight often accompanying spicy Indian dishes.
It’s made from yogurt blended with fresh veggies, herbs, or fruit. Its refreshing tang offers a soothing contrast to fiery flavors.
A favorite in Indian cuisine, raita does more than just tantalize your tastebuds. It also aids digestion.
While its role in a meal is similar to the Greek Tzatziki, its distinct blend of ingredients gives raita its unique charm.
5. Tahini-Lemon Dressing
This tahini-lemon dressing combines ground sesame seeds’ rich, nutty flavor with the sharp zest of fresh lemons.
When you blend tahini with lemon juice, you create a creamy and zingy sauce.
It has a touch of honey for sweetness, garlic for a punch, and some smooth olive oil. This dressing is simply delicious.
A quick whisk of the simple ingredients, and you have a pourable delight ready.
6. Kecap Manis (Indonesian Sweet Soy Sauce)
Kecap manis is Indonesia’s gift to the condiment world.
A thick, sweet soy sauce, it’s often the secret behind some of the country’s most mouthwatering dishes.
You might’ve tasted its rich sweetness in your favorite mie goreng or drizzled over a warm bowl of bakso soup.
Made simply with soy sauce and sugar, its consistency is between syrup and sauce.
7. Mojo Sauce
Mojo sauce gives a burst of flavor you never knew you needed in your Buddha bowl.
This fresh mix combines cilantro and parsley with a kick of jalapeño and the zest of lime.
Garlic and olive oil tie everything together, making it irresistibly tangy and rich.
Just toss the ingredients into a blender, give it a whirl, and you have a sauce that pairs perfectly with just about anything.
8. Chipotle Crema Sauce
Chipotle crema sauce is the creamy kick your Buddha bowl is missing.
It blends sour cream’s rich smoothness with the chipotle pepper’s smoky heat. A dash of honey adds just the right hint of sweetness.
Plus, it’s a breeze. In just 5 minutes, you’ll have a bowl of creamy, smoky goodness.
9. Aji Verde (Spicy Peruvian Green Sauce)
Aji verde is a spicy Peruvian green sauce ready to take your Buddha bowl to the next level.
This punchy blend combines the lime juice, jalapenos, and cilantro. A sprinkle of Parmesan (or Cotija if you’re feeling traditional) gives it a savory twist.
Mayonnaise adds that creamy texture, while garlic gives it that extra kick.
10. Garlic Tahini Sauce
This garlic tahini sauce is a creamy dream!
Imagine the velvety texture of tahini mixed with the zing of fresh lemon and the punch of garlic. This combo is hard to beat.
This isn’t just your regular sauce. It has a twist.
It blends lemon with whole garlic (skin included) for a bold yet well-balanced infusion.
Props to the author for this recipe hack!
11. 5-Minute Stir-Fry Sauce
Turn simple ingredients into a flavor-packed bowl with this stir-fry sauce.
Mix in some soy, garlic, ginger, and boom! In just 5 minutes, you get a homemade sauce that beats any bottled stuff.
Making it at home gives you a fresher taste and complete ingredient control. And it costs less. Plus, you probably have everything you need in the kitchen already.
12. Sesame Miso Dressing
This sesame miso dressing is a harmony of flavors.
The toasted sesame oil offers a rich, nutty undertone, while white miso brings a salty, umami punch.
The maple syrup lends subtle sweetness, contrasting the tang of apple cider vinegar.
Grated ginger adds a spicy warmth, and lime juice provides a fresh citrus twist.
Together, they create a balanced, savory-sweet dressing with a hint of zest.
13. Turmeric Tahini Dressing
This turmeric tahini dressing is a creamy delight.
Tahini gives it a smooth, nutty base. Fresh lemon juice adds a bright, zesty kick.
The star, turmeric, offers earthy warmth and a golden hue.
Minced garlic introduces a hint of spice, while a pinch of salt perfects the balance.
14. Vegan Yogurt Sauce with Garlic and Herbs
Creamy, herby, and with a kick of garlic, this vegan yogurt sauce brings life to any dish.
Slather it on bowls, sandwiches, or as a dip. It’s a touch of zest your dishes crave, made in a snap.
It has simple ingredients with maximum flavor.
15. Fresh Basil Pesto
The great thing about making your own pesto is you can adjust the recipe to please your palate.
While many go for pine nuts, swapping in walnuts works wonders. Some love the boldness of Romano over Parmesan cheese.
If basil feels too overpowering, mix it with spinach for a milder yet delightful flavor.
16. Best Teriyaki Sauce
Teriyaki sauce is a global favorite, boasting a mix of savory, sweet, and umami flavors.
It’s a blend of soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, honey, and mirin.
This sauce isn’t just about taste, either! “Teri” hints at the glossy sheen it gives food, and “yaki” means grilled. It’s perfect for adding shine and depth to grilled dishes!
Plus, it’s so easy to make.
17. Sweet Ginger Sesame Sauce
This sweet ginger sesame sauce elevates bowls, salads, and even dumplings to the next level!
With a base of tahini and sesame seeds, this homemade treat has a rich, nutty backdrop.
Fresh ginger and garlic punch up the zing, while honey or agave adds a kiss of sweetness.
17 Best Sauces for Buddha Bowls
You’ll love these irresistible sauces for Buddha bowls! From peanut to tahini-lemon to sweet soy, you’ll love each one of these recipes.
Ingredients
Creamy Vegan Buddha Bowl Dressing
Cafe Yumm Sauce
Peanut Sauce
Raita Sauce
Tahini-Lemon Dressing
Kecap Manis (Indonesian Sweet Soy Sauce)
Mojo Sauce
Chipotle Crema Sauce
Aji Verde (Spicy Peruvian Green Sauce)
Garlic Tahini Sauce
5 -Minute Stir-Fry Sauce
Sesame Miso Dressing
Turmeric Tahini Dressing
Vegan Yogurt Sauce with Garlic and Herbs
Fresh Basil Pesto
Best Teriyaki Sauce
Sweet Ginger Sesame Sauce
Instructions
- Select your favorite sauce.
- Organize all the required ingredients.
- Prep a delicious Buddha bowl in 30 minutes or less!
