Are you looking for new Buddha bowl ideas? This Healthy Pork Tenderloin Buddha Bowl has so many interesting textures and flavors, you will love it! It is an Asian-Style bowl loaded with goodness.
A Healthy Buddha Bowl Recipe
If you are wondering what there is to love about this Healthy Pork Tenderloin Buddha Bowl, let me tell you. First, it is really simple to put together. Making it a great meal for busy nights.
Second, the flavors are incredible. The marinated pork pairs perfectly with the veggies, Asian-style dressing, and warm einkorn.
Third, it is really healthy. Not only did I use an ancient grain for the base, but piled it high with veggies and lean pork tenderloin. It is a great meal if you are clean eating.
Components Of The Healthy Pork Tenderloin Buddha Bowl
- Einkorn Base- I will explain more about the einkorn below, but just know it is an ancient grain that is incredibly healthy.
- Marinated pork tenderloin
- Veggies- and a lot of them! I used carrots, edamame, radish, cucumbers, and purple cabbage.
- Asian-Style Dressing
Marinating The Pork Tenderloin
I love to use pork tenderloin in this recipe as it is so...tender. You can also use a loin, but tenderloin really is pretty inexpensive, so go for it.
The tenderloin is sliced thinly, then placed in a bowl or bag to marinate. The nice thing about this marinade is it is a quick marinade. So, 30 minutes and it is ready.
I leave it at room temp when it is marinating, as the meat cooks best when it is all room temp.
Einkorn Grain
Whole grains are always used in my kitchen, so they pop in most meals. Einkorn is my favorite though. It is an ancient grain that is super healthy for you. It is a non-GMO grain and recently gaining in popularity.
Many people with mild grain intolerances, respond better to einkorn than most gluten-containing grains.
It used to be a tricky grain to purchase, but it is much easier to find now as it is gaining popularity. We have several farms here in Idaho that grow it. Einkorn is the one I purchase from most often. I also buy it frequently from Azure Standard.
Now, for cooking it. On the cooktop was how I always used to cook it, but recently I discovered the Instant Pot for cooking my grains and there is no looking back! It is so much easier and so much quicker in the Instant Pot!
Fresh Veggies
This recipe is designed to use a ton of fresh veggies- just as many as you can fit into your bowl. It is easy to get most of my recommended 3-5 veggie servings all in one dish!
I like to thinly slice my veggies- purple cabbage, carrots, radish, edamame, and cucumbers. These are my favorites, but feel free to sub in whatever you like to use!
Cooking The Tenderloin
I love to cook my pork tenderloin in a cast-iron skillet. I love the way the skillet holds heat and cooks evenly. If you don't have a cast iron, a nonstick works well.
The key is remembering not to overcook. With the pork sliced as thin as it is, it really only takes about 1-2 minutes per side.
The Finished Healthy Pork Tenderloin Buddha Bowl
Here is what you can expect when you make this bowl. Look at all that healthy goodness!
Last up, drizzle generously with the most amazing Asian-style dressing! If you are using this for meal prep, hold off on the dressing until serving. You don't want the veggies to get mushy.
More Buddha Bowl Ideas
- Spicy Shrimp Buddha Bowl
- Greek Meatball Buddha Bowl
- Healthy Salmon Buddha Bowl
- Simple Whole Grain Steak Bowl
- Simple and Healthy Vegetarian Rice Bowl
- Gluten-Free Grain Bowl
Healthy Pork Tenderloin Buddha Bowl
Equipment
- pressure cooker, skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pork tenderloin sliced in ¼ inch pieces
Marinade Ingredients
- ⅓ cup olive oil or other neutral oil of choice
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons chili sauce
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
Cooked Einkorn
- 1 cup einkorn grain
- 2 cups water
- ½ teaspoon salt
Buddha Bowl Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked einkorn or other grain of choice
- 6 cups veggies of choice thinly slices. I used purple cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, edamame, and radish.
Asian-Style Dressing
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 3 teaspoons chili sauce you can use less of this if you don't like spicy dressing
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
Instructions
- Combine the water, einkorn, and salt in your pressure cooker. Seal and cook on high for 25 minutes. Quick release and move to saute if there is still water in the grains.
- Combine marinade ingredients. Pour over the sliced tenderloin either in a bag, bowl or container. I do this while the einkorn is cooking.
- Allow this to marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temp.
- Heat your cast iron, or nonstick skillet on medium heat until good and hot. Add in 2 tablespoons olive oil or other oil of choice.
- Add your pork tenderloin slices to the pan in a single layer. Unless you have a really big pan, you will have to do this in batches.
- Cook for 2 minutes on each side, then place on a plate.
- Once the pork and einkorn are cooked, you are ready to go!!
- Mix your dressing ingredients until well combined.
- Make your bowl how you want. Then drizzle generously with dressing
- If you are using this for meal prep. Just cook and cut everything to get it ready. Right before serving, drizzle with the dressing.
- Everything holds well for at least 5-7 days!
- Now, sit back and enjoy. You deserve it!