These vegan quinoa power bowls with broccoli, carrots, and a smoky almond chipotle sauce are packed with protein and flavour—perfect for healthy meal prep or weeknight dinners.
The inspiration for this sauce takes me back to a couple of sun-soaked months we spent in Texas when my youngest was a baby and my husband was able to take parental leave. While wandering through the local Costco, I picked up a chipotle dip—one of those tucked-away gems from the keto-craze era (not that I was following keto!). It was smoky, creamy, and unlike anything I’d tasted before. What stood out most was its base: almonds. Simple, wholesome, and totally unexpected.
When we returned to Canada, I tried hunting it down, but it didn’t seem to exist north of the border. So, like any determined home cook, I set out to recreate it from memory. The result? A rich, smoky almond chipotle sauce that hits all the same notes—and then some.
To make it more of a meal than just a dip, I reimagined it as a sauce for a hearty power bowl. That’s how this recipe was born: equal parts nostalgia and practicality.
This bowl has become one of my go-to meals when I want something comforting, nourishing, and full of bold flavour—all with minimal fuss. It’s easy to prep, totally plant-based, and endlessly adaptable depending on what veggies or grains you have on hand.
Here’s how to bring it all together. In the recipe card, I’ve outlined an ingredient combo I really like, but as I said – it’s very adaptable!
Choose your grain: quinoa, brown rice, barley, couscous, etc.
Choose your veggies: broccoli and carrots are my favourite, but cauliflower, cabbage, peppers, and leafy greens would go well, too!
Choose your protein: almonds are a natural pairing, but you could use other nuts, seeds, crispy tofu, or chicken.
Why It’s A Smart Choice
Did you know this about almonds?
- About 20-25% of the calories in whole almonds goes right through you!
- While on the way out, almonds act as prebiotics – meaning they’re food to help the benefical gut bacteria thrive
- Almonds are a good source of Vitamin E and magnesium
- Consuming almonds is shown to help improve blood cholesterol
Vegan Quinoa Power Bowls with Almond Chipotle Sauce (Easy + High-Protein)
Ingredients
For the power bowls:
- 1 cup quinoa uncooked
- 2 cups chopped broccoli
- 2 cups shredded or julienned carrots
- 1 cup roasted & salted sunflower seeds for serving
Almond Chipotle Sauce
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup whole almonds
- ¼ cup tahini
- ¼ cup canola oil
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp cumin
- 2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
Instructions
- Cook the quinoa according to the package’s instructions. If you have an Instant Pot, you can place the quinoa and 1 ½ cups water in the pot, select manual and 1 minute to cook. Wait 10 minutes before releasing.
- While the quinoa is cooking, place all sauce ingredients in a high powered blender. Start on low the gradually up to high speed. Blend until well combined.
- Each person can fill their bowl to their liking and top with some sauce. Mix, and eat!
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