Easy Teriyaki Quinoa Bowl (Print version)

Crispy baked tofu with spiralized vegetables, fresh mango, and homemade teriyaki sauce over fluffy quinoa.

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein

01 - 14 oz extra-firm tofu, pressed and cubed, or 14 oz boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into cubes
02 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Grains

04 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
05 - 2 cups water or vegetable broth

→ Vegetables and Fruit

06 - 2 medium zucchini, spiralized
07 - 2 medium carrots, spiralized
08 - 1 ripe mango, peeled and diced
09 - 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
10 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, optional

→ Teriyaki Sauce

11 - 1/4 cup gluten-free soy sauce or tamari
12 - 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
13 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
14 - 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
15 - 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated
16 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
17 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water

# How to Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Toss tofu or chicken cubes with cornstarch and olive oil until evenly coated. Arrange in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
03 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until tofu is golden and crispy or chicken is cooked through and lightly browned.
04 - Rinse quinoa under cold water. In a saucepan, combine quinoa and water or broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork.
05 - Spiralize zucchini and carrots. Set aside with diced mango and sliced spring onions.
06 - In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic. Bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until thickened, approximately 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
07 - Divide cooked quinoa among bowls. Top each with spiralized vegetables, baked protein, mango, and spring onions. Drizzle with teriyaki sauce and sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.
08 - Serve immediately while protein and grains are warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's genuinely ready in under an hour, which means you can make it on a weeknight without losing your mind.
  • The crispy tofu or chicken against the cool spiralized vegetables feels fancy but requires zero cooking confidence.
  • Naturally gluten-free with just one ingredient swap, so everyone at your table can eat happily together.
02 -
  • Pressing your tofu is non-negotiable if you want it crispy, and yes, it feels silly to wrap tofu in paper towels, but it's the difference between rubbery and golden.
  • Don't spiralize your vegetables too early because they wilt slightly and lose that fresh crispness that makes the bowl feel alive.
03 -
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for 2 minutes before using them because this releases their oils and makes them taste infinitely more interesting.
  • If your sauce seems too thick after thickening, whisk in water a teaspoon at a time because cornstarch sauces can seize up if you're not careful, but they're also easily rescued.
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