Warm Autumn Grain Bowl

Warm Autumn Grain Bowl, a simple fall-inspired vegan grain bowl with apples, figs, cranberries, and carrots in a maple cashew dressing that is delicious served warm or cold.

a fall grain bowl with warm barley, apples, figs, cranberries, carrots, and maple dressing in a green bowl on a white table

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Do you go crazy buying up fall produce at the farmers market in autumn? So do we, which means we always have a basket of fall fruits and vegetables to use up before they go bad. And our favorite way to get our autumn produce fix is to make warm, fall-inspired grain bowls!

Here’s why you should put your fall produce on top of a warm bed of grains:

  • Out of this world flavor. The mixture of crispy apples, sweet figs, and maple-infused dressing is something fall dreams are made of.
  • A great mix of textures and temperatures. We love mixing textures and temps and this bowl with fresh fruit and warm grains keeps your mouth guessing.
  • It’s super easy and perfect for meal prep. Simply cook the grains, toss the salad ingredients, and blend the dressing for a grain salad mix that’s perfect for weekday lunches.

Ready to learn how to make this so-easy and oh-so-tasty fall grain bowl? Let’s do this!

a green bowl filled with grains, sliced apples, sliced figs, dried cranberries, and shredded carrots on a white table
Fall produce is the perfect topping for a warm bowl of grains

๐Ÿฅฃ How to make (step-by-step)

1๏ธโƒฃ Step One: Prepare the grains

First, prepare the grains before building the salad. We chose pearled barley for this recipe because it has a soft, chewy texture that lends itself well to the crisp apples and soft, sweet figs.

To make the barley, simply combine 1 cup of dried pearled barley with 3 cups of water in a pot, bring to a boil, then simmer on low until the barley is soft, about 25-30 minutes.

Need a gluten-free grain? If you’re looking for a gluten-free grain option, try quinoa, buckwheat, or amaranth in this recipe.


2๏ธโƒฃ Step Two: Prepare the salad dressing

The salad dressing for this recipe is a maple-infused cashew “crema,” that uses cashews to provide a creamy texture while keeping the ingredients plant-based.

To start, first place cashews in a bowl and cover with warm water and let sit for 15 minutes. This will allow the cashew to soften and will provide a creamier texture to the dressing.

Once the cashews are soft, add them to a food processor or blender with water and oil and blend until smooth. Then add lemon juice and zest for an acidic tang, maple syrup for a touch of sweetness, and a pinch of salt and blend until combined.

If your dressing is still too thick, add a bit of water and blend until your desired consistency. We like a creamy, yet smooth dressing that coats the grains and greens without being sticky.


3๏ธโƒฃ Step Three: Prepare the salad

It’s finally time to build the salad! Simply toss together the mixed greens, cooked grains, sliced figs and apples, dried cranberries, and shredded carrots in a large bowl.

When you’re ready to serve, drizzle a bit of the dressing on top and toss to coat all of the ingredients. Save any extra dressing in a jar separate from the salad leftovers so they don’t wilt.

a bowl of warm grains and fall produce on a white table
Dried cranberries add a tart flavor and chewy texture to grain bowls

๐Ÿ Recipe + ingredient questions

Are grain bowls good for you?

Grain bowls are a good for you healthy meal option. The healthiest grain bowls are those that contain whole heritage grains, vegetables, fruits, plant-based protein, and a source of healthy fat. Grain bowls are extremely versatile and can be customized to fit any dietary preference such as vegan and gluten-free.

Are grain bowls served hot or cold?

Grain bowls can be served hot or cold. The beauty of a grain bowl is it is extremely versatile, with the option to be eaten warm or cold, depending on your mood or the season.

What is a warm grain bowl?

A warm grain bowl is a meal that contains warm whole grains as a base and is topped with vegetables, fruit, a protein source like beans or tofu, and a healthy fat source in the form of an oil-based dressing or avocado.

How do you make a grain bowl gluten-free?

Grain bowls can be made gluten-free by choosing gluten-free grains like quinoa, buckwheat, rice, or amaranth in place of gluten-containing grains such as barley, wheat berries, or farro.

What is in a fall or autumn grain bowl?

A fall grain bowl contains grains as a base and vegetables, fruits, dressings, or other toppings that are seasonal autumn foods. Possible fall grain bowl toppings could include squash, sweet potatoes, apples, pears, cranberries, figs, maple syrup, or pumpkin seeds.

two photos of green figs sliced on a white plate
Figs and apples are delicious fall fruits that are great grain bowl toppings

โ™ป๏ธ Sustainable kitchen tips + tools

While this vegan grain bowl recipe is a great sustainable food pick, here are a few tips and tricks for keeping this recipe “green”:

Buy grains in bulk. Forget small plastic packages of rice or barley, buy grains in bulk and store in large pantry containers to reduce package waste (and save money!).

Hit up your local farmer’s market for fall produce. Pick up your favorite fall produce like squash, apples, pears, and figs at your local market to make a delicious autumn-inspired grain bowl.

Meal prep it. This recipe is the perfect option to make once, eat all week. Simply double the recipe and store the salad in to-go containers (and dressing in small jars) to grab and go during busy weeks. Learn how to create a weekly meal plan to make your meals easier here.

a large salad bowl with leafy greens, grains, and fall produce on a white table

๐Ÿฝ More warm grain bowl recipes

If you’re looking for more warm grain bowl recipes, try:

If you’re looking for a lighter, sweeter dressing try our Maple Bourbon Whiskey Vinaigrette Salad Dressing.

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NOT SURE WHERE TO START WITH PLANT-BASED EATING?

Get my 4-Day Plant-Based Meal Plan to start your journey on the plant path.

a bowl of warm grains and fall produce on a white table

Warm Autumn Grain Bowl Recipe

Kristina Todini, RDN
Warm Autumn Grain Bowl, a simple fall-inspired vegan grain bowl with apples, figs, cranberries, and carrots in a maple cashew dressing that is delicious served warm or cold.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Side Dishes
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 621 kcal

Ingredients
  

For Salad

  • 4 cups mixed greens
  • 1 cup dry barley* or other desired grains
  • 1 cup figs halved
  • 1 small apple sliced
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • 1 cup shredded carrots

For Dressing

  • 1 cup cashews**
  • ¼ cup water plus more as needed to thin dressing
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • Juice of ½ lemon
  • Zest of ½ lemon
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • Pinch salt

Instructions
 

  • Prepare barley (or other grains): Cook barley (or other desired grain) according to package instructions. We chose pearled barley, which is typically cooked by combining 1 cup of dried barley with 3 cups of water and bringing it to a boil, then simmering on low for 25-30 minutes until the barley is tender.
    1 cup dry barley*
  • Prepare dressing: First, soak cashews in a bowl of warm water for 15 minutes. Then add cashews, water, and oil to a food processor or blender and mix until smooth. Add lemon juice, lemon zest, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt. Blend and taste, adding more lemon or syrup as needed. If the dressing is too thick, add more water and blend until smooth.
    1 cup cashews**, ¼ cup water, ¼ cup olive oil, Juice of ½ lemon, Zest of ½ lemon, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, Pinch salt
  • Prepare salad: In a large salad bowl, toss together mixed greens, cooked barley, halved figs, sliced apples, dried cranberries, and shredded carrots. Drizzle the maple cashew dressing over the salad and toss to coat ingredients before serving.
    4 cups mixed greens, 1 cup figs, 1 small apple, ½ cup dried cranberries, 1 cup shredded carrots

Notes

    • Notes: *While we love an autumn barley bowl, any grain will be delicious in this bowl. Try quinoa, farro, or wheat berries. **Soak cashews in warm water for 15 minutes before preparing dressing for a smoother consistency (instructions for soaking in recipe).
    • Tools Needed: food processor or blender, knife, cutting board
    • Prep Ahead: Make the dressing up to three days ahead of time to make preparing this grain bowl easier.
    • Leftovers and Storage: To keep leftovers fresh, store salad dressing in a jar separated from the grains and greens and only add to the grain bowl before eating. Store both salad dressing and the grain bowl in airtight containers for up to three days in the refrigerator until ready to eat.
    • Nutrition notes: This grain bowl recipe uses only plant-based ingredients. To make it gluten-free substitute the barley for a gluten-free grain like quinoa, buckwheat, or amaranth. Nutrition information is calculated for all ingredients, including the full amount of the dressing. However, you will likely have dressing left over.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 621kcalCarbohydrates: 85gProtein: 13gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 18gSodium: 46mgPotassium: 808mgFiber: 14gSugar: 35gVitamin A: 5919IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 79mgIron: 5mg
Keyword autumn grain bowl, fall grain bowl, vegan grain bowl, warm grain bowl
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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2 Comments

  1. Great way to embrace the transitioning seasons! I’m saving this one for a few weeks so I can find everything in season.

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