This easy weeknight dinner recipe helps you put a light and flavorful vegetarian greek bowl down on the table in under 15 minutes. The combination of savory chickpeas, fluffy rice, and fresh, vibrant toppings bursts with Mediterranean flavor, just like my gluten free one pan grilled greek chicken.
With just pre-cooked rice and canned chickpeas, you can whip up a flavorful dish in 15 minutes flat. Plus, you only need one pan, meaning minimal cleanup for maximum enjoyment, just like my gluten free italian skillet recipe.
why you’ll love this recipe
- Perfect for busy weeknights: No chopping mountains of vegetables or simmering sauces required. Just slice some cucumber and red onion, crumble some feta, and you’re good to go!
- This vegetarian greek bowl is your weeknight hero, ready to satisfy in record time.
- Meal prep friendly: Double the recipe and enjoy delicious, protein-packed lunches all week long. Simply assemble individual portions and grab one on your way out the door.
- Dietary delights: This dish is naturally gluten-free, low in fat, and vegetarian.
- Looking for a vegan option? Simply opt for vegan feta and dairy-free tzatziki.
- Lunchtime winner: Forget boring lunchtime salads. This vegetarian greek bowl is packed with flavor and texture, making it a satisfying and nutrient-rich midday meal.
- Family favorite: Customize the toppings to cater to everyone’s preferences. From crunchy cucumbers to creamy tzatziki and tangy feta, there’s something for everyone to love.
- This easy vegetarian greek bowl is such a crowd-pleasing dish and will be a hit at your dinner table!
ingredients & substitutions
Chickpeas: Canned and drained for convenience. Substitute with lentils or cooked white beans.
Rice: Pre-cooked white rice saves time. Use brown rice for added fiber.
Cucumbers, red onion, romaine: Add freshness and crunch to the vegetarian greek bowl. Substitute cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, or spinach.
Creamy tzatziki sauce: Creamy greek yogurt sauce with cucumber and garlic. Make your own or use store-bought.
Feta cheese: Crumbled, fat-free version keeps it light. Vegan alternative? Use crumbled tofu or tempeh.
Spicy feta dip: Adds a kick to the vegetarian greek bowl. Substitute a spicy hummus, hot sauce or sriracha, or skip it for a milder dish.
directions
Step 1
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat to medium-high heat. Add chickpeas, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to make your own greek seasoning. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chickpeas are slightly warmed and crispy.
Step 2
Turn off heat and stir in cooked white rice.
Step 3
Top with sliced cucumber, red onion, and chopped romaine lettuce.
Step 4
Drizzle the vegetarian greek bowl generously with tzatziki sauce. Sprinkle crumbled fat-free feta cheese and spicy feta dip over the top.
expert tips & tricks
- For extra flavor in this vegetarian greek bowl, marinate the chickpeas before adding them to the skillet. You can use a simple marinade of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and spices.
- If you don’t have spicy feta dip, you can make your own by mixing crumbled feta cheese with a little hot sauce and olive oil.
- Feel free to add other vegetables to the recipe, such as chopped bell peppers, green onion, artichoke hearts, fresh basil, fresh tomatoes, fresh herbs, tender chicken, green olives, red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes or kalamata olives.
- For a more substantial meal, serve the vegetarian greek bowl with a side of whole-wheat pita bread or brown rice.
- Top with lemon zest or squeezed lemon wedges for a fresh lemon taste.
- Add ground lamb and fresh lemon juice for an authentic greek flavors!
- Cook chicken breasts with chicken broth or chicken stock in a slow cooker for easy shredded chicken to add on top making this an vegetarian greek bowl.
- Use ground chicken to make greek chicken meatballs to add on top and make this a great protein packed greek bowl.
- You can drizzle balsamic vinegar on top or season with chili flakes for a twist.
- Add greek shrimp for a one pan greek shrimp recipe.
How can I make this greek bowl low carb?
For a low-carb vegetarian greek bowl, swap the white rice with cauliflower rice, which is naturally much lower in carbohydrates. You can also skip the spicy feta dip, as it often contains added sugars.
How can I make this vegetarian greek bowl low fat?
For a low-fat vegetarian greek bowl, opt for fat-free feta cheese as the recipe suggests. Additionally, replace the tzatziki with a dairy-free yogurt-based version or a simple cucumber-dill sauce.
How can I make this vegetarian greek bowl vegan?
Making this vegetarian greek bowl vegan is simple! Choose vegan feta cheese or crumbled tofu seasoned with nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor. Swap the regular tzatziki with a dairy-free alternative made with plant-based yogurt or tahini. Enjoy your delicious and protein-packed vegan Greek Skillet!
How can I serve, store and meal prep the vegetarian greek bowl?
Serve your vegetarian greek bowl hot out of the pan, scooping everything together for a flavorful bite.
Store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. I always store the toppings like hummus and lettuce separately.
To reheat, thaw frozen portions overnight in the fridge before warming them in a pan or microwave until heated through. Add fresh toppings
Meal prepping this rice skillet is a breeze! Assemble the greek bowls into individual portions in containers with all the toppings, keeping the tzatziki separate until ready to eat. Grab one on your way out the door for a quick, delicious, and satisfying on-the-go lunch.
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If you make this recipe and enjoyed it, I would really appreciate a review! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok and Pinterest. Join my exclusive weeknight meal plan group for 5 weekly 30-minute dinner recipes plus a weekly grocery shopping list. I would love for you to follow along!
Vegetarian Greek Bowl (gluten free, Dairy free Option)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 can chickpeas 15 oz, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup cooked white rice
- 1/2 cucumber thinly sliced
- 1/4 red onion thinly sliced
- 1 cup romaine lettuce chopped
- 1/4 cup tzatziki sauce
- 1/4 cup fat-free feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons spicy feta dip or hummus
- salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: fresh dill or parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chickpeas, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chickpeas are slightly warmed and crispy.
- Turn off heat and stir in cooked white rice.
- Spread the rice and chickpea mixture evenly in the skillet.
- Top with sliced cucumber, red onion, and chopped romaine lettuce.
- Drizzle generously with tzatziki sauce.
- Sprinkle crumbled fat-free feta cheese and spicy feta dip over the top.
- Garnish with fresh dill or parsley, if desired.
- Enjoy immediately!
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