Thai Coconut Quinoa Bowl (Printable)

Nourishing coconut quinoa paired with crisp veggies and a zesty peanut dressing for a vibrant meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Coconut Quinoa

01 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
02 - 1 cup coconut milk, full-fat or light
03 - 1 cup water
04 - ½ teaspoon salt

→ Vegetables

05 - 1 cup red bell pepper, thinly sliced
06 - 1 cup carrot, julienned or shredded
07 - 1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
08 - 1 cup purple cabbage, shredded
09 - ½ cup edamame, cooked and shelled
10 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
11 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

→ Peanut Dressing

12 - ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
13 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce, gluten-free
14 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
15 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
16 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup
17 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
18 - 1-2 tablespoons warm water

# How to Prepare:

01 - Combine quinoa, coconut milk, water, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
02 - While quinoa cooks, slice bell pepper thinly, julienne or shred carrot, slice cucumber and cabbage. Cook edamame if not already prepared.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, maple syrup, and sesame oil. Add warm water one tablespoon at a time until dressing reaches smooth, pourable consistency.
04 - Divide cooked coconut quinoa evenly among four bowls. Top each with equal portions of prepared vegetables and edamame.
05 - Drizzle peanut dressing generously over each bowl. Garnish with chopped cilantro and sesame seeds. Serve immediately or chill for a cold bowl option.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 45 minutes, which means you can have dinner on the table without feeling rushed.
  • The coconut milk makes the quinoa creamy and rich, so it doesn't taste like health food even though it absolutely is.
  • You can prep everything the night before and assemble it fresh, making it perfect for meal prep without the boredom.
02 -
  • If your dressing breaks or looks grainy, don't panic—start fresh with a clean bowl and slowly whisk the broken dressing into the new peanut butter base, and it will come back together.
  • The vegetables release water as they sit, so if you're prepping ahead, toss them in a separate container and assemble the bowl just before eating to keep everything crisp.
  • Toasted sesame oil is essential and different from regular sesame oil—it has a deep, nutty flavor that regular sesame oil simply doesn't have, so the ingredient matters here.
03 -
  • Make a double batch of dressing and keep it in a glass jar in your fridge for up to 5 days—it's incredible on grain bowls, roasted vegetables, and even as a dip for fresh spring rolls.
  • Add grilled tofu or tempeh cubes to bump up the protein, or roasted peanuts for extra crunch and richness that makes the bowl feel more substantial.
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