Gluten-free, Vegan, and Endless Possibilities

Looking for a quick, colorful, satisfying meal that’s packed with fresh vegetables and big flavor? This Hoisin Grain Bowl checks all the boxes. Crispy oven-baked tofu, fluffy quinoa, creamy avocado, crunchy carrots and radishes, and fresh spinach come together in one easy bowl, all finished with a generous drizzle of sweet and savory San-J Hoisin Sauce.

Even better, this gluten-free grain bowl is easy to customize. Swap in your favorite greens, add extra vegetables, or change up the grain depending on what you have on hand. It’s a simple meatless meal that works just as well for a quick weeknight dinner as it does for meal prep.

Why You’ll Love This Hoisin Grain Bowl

There’s a lot to love about this easy quinoa bowl:

• Big flavor: San-J Organic Tamari and Hoisin Sauce give the tofu and vegetables a delicious savory-sweet flavor.
• Crispy tofu: Baking the tofu at a high temperature creates golden, crispy edges without frying.
• Fresh and colorful: Spinach, carrots, radishes, and avocado bring a variety of textures and colors to every bowl.
• Easy to customize: Use different greens, grains, or vegetables based on what you have available.
• Naturally gluten-free: Made with gluten-free ingredients, including quinoa and San-J gluten-free sauces.
• Simple cleanup: The tofu and quinoa can cook while you prep the vegetables.

What Is a Grain Bowl?

A grain bowl is essentially a complete meal assembled in a bowl with a grain or grain-like base, vegetables, protein, and a flavorful sauce or dressing. Quinoa makes an especially good base because it cooks quickly and has a light, fluffy texture that pairs beautifully with crispy tofu and fresh vegetables.

The best part about grain bowls is that there are no hard-and-fast rules. Think of this recipe as a starting point and make it your own.

What You’ll Need

For the Bowl

• Extra-firm tofu
• San-J Organic Tamari Soy Sauce
• Avocado oil
• Quinoa
• Water
• Fresh spinach or other greens
• Carrots
• Radishes
• Avocado
• San-J Hoisin Sauce

How to Make a Hoisin Grain Bowl

1. Press the Tofu

Start by draining the tofu and pressing it for at least 15 minutes, or up to an hour if you have the time. Removing excess moisture is an important step because it helps the tofu become crispier in the oven.

Don’t have a tofu press? No problem. Wrap the tofu in a clean kitchen towel and place it on the counter. Set something heavy, such as a bowl, on top.

2. Bake the Tofu

Preheat the oven to 425°F and position the rack on the bottom shelf.

Cut the pressed tofu into 1-inch cubes or strips. Toss the tofu with avocado oil and San-J Organic Tamari Soy Sauce. If you like a stronger savory flavor, add a little more tamari.

Spread the tofu in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the edges are browned and crispy.

Kitchen tip: Give the tofu plenty of space on the baking sheet. If the pieces are crowded, they will steam rather than crisp.

3. Cook the Quinoa

While the tofu is baking, combine the quinoa and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.

Cover and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the quinoa is tender and the water has been absorbed.

Remove from the heat and fluff with a fork.

4. Prep the Vegetables

While the quinoa cooks, wash and prepare the vegetables. Shred the carrots, chop the radishes, and slice the avocado.

You can also use this time to prepare any additional vegetables you’d like to add to your bowl.

5. Assemble the Bowls

Divide the spinach among four large bowls. Add the cooked quinoa, crispy tofu, avocado, carrots, and radishes.

For a restaurant-style presentation, arrange each ingredient in its own section rather than mixing everything together. The different colors make these bowls especially appealing.

6. Add the Hoisin Sauce

Drizzle each bowl with San-J Hoisin Sauce. Add as much as you like—the sauce is what brings all the components together with its rich, sweet and savory flavor.

Serve immediately while the tofu is still warm and crispy.

Tips for the Best Crispy Tofu

Getting tofu crispy in the oven is easier than you might think. The key is starting with extra-firm tofu and removing as much moisture as possible.

For the best texture:

• Press the tofu before cooking.
• Cut it into relatively small, evenly sized pieces.
• Coat it lightly with oil and tamari.
• Spread the tofu in a single layer.
• Leave a little space between the pieces.
• Bake at 425°F until the edges are browned and crisp.

If you’re preparing the tofu ahead of time, reheat it in the oven or air fryer rather than the microwave to help bring back some of that crisp texture.

Easy Ways to Customize Your Grain Bowl

One of the best things about grain bowls is how flexible they are. Here are a few easy swaps:

Change the grain: Try brown rice, white rice, millet, or another gluten-free grain in place of quinoa.

Switch the greens: Spinach works beautifully, but kale, arugula, mixed greens, or shredded cabbage can also work.

Add more vegetables: Try cucumber, bell peppers, edamame, broccoli, snap peas, or roasted sweet potatoes.

Add crunch: Sprinkle the finished bowls with sesame seeds, chopped nuts, or gluten-free crispy toppings.

Make it spicy: Add a drizzle of gluten-free chili crisp or your favorite hot sauce.

Make it extra saucy: Keep additional San-J Hoisin Sauce at the table so everyone can add more to taste.

Can You Make These Grain Bowls Ahead?

Yes! These bowls are excellent for meal prep. Prepare the quinoa and tofu ahead of time and refrigerate them separately. Wash and chop the vegetables, but wait to slice the avocado until you’re ready to serve.

For the best texture, keep the hoisin sauce separate and drizzle it over the bowls just before eating. You can enjoy the ingredients cold, or warm the quinoa and tofu before assembling.

Is This Hoisin Grain Bowl Gluten-Free?

Yes, when prepared with gluten-free ingredients as written, this bowl is gluten-free. Quinoa, vegetables, tofu, and avocado are naturally gluten-free, while San-J Organic Tamari and San-J Hoisin Sauce provide the savory flavor without relying on traditional wheat-containing soy sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Last Bite

This Hoisin Grain Bowl proves that a satisfying meatless meal doesn’t have to be complicated. With crispy tamari-seasoned tofu, fluffy quinoa, fresh vegetables, creamy avocado, and flavorful hoisin sauce, every bite has something different going on.

Best of all, it’s easy to make the recipe your own. Keep the basic combination of grain, vegetables, tofu, and hoisin sauce, then switch up the ingredients depending on the season or what’s already in your kitchen. It’s the kind of flexible, flavorful recipe you’ll want to make again and again.