If you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal, you’ll want to try this delicious Teriyaki Donburi Recipe (Vegan Japanese Rice Bowl) recipe. Featuring a homemade savory and sweet teriyaki sauce that coats a bed of fluffy white rice, topped with fresh spring onions and nutty sesame seeds. The main character in this bowl is our easy meal prepped ground beef made from tofu and seasoned to perfection.
After creating our highly-rated Tofu Ground Beef recipe, I realized there were countless ways to use this versatile ingredient, and you need them all immediately. So I'm on it!
By making a triple batch of our plant-based beef recipe, you can easily prepare 3-4 meals, making it an excellent choice for meal prep! This low-risk, high-reward recipe will help you save time without sacrificing flavor. With just one recipe, you can create a variety of dishes, such as Tofu Stuffed Peppers, Crumbled Tofu Tacos, Vegan Tofu Taco Salad Bowl, and rice bowls throughout the week with limited time spent in the kitchen.
In this post, I share the following cooking tips:
- My homemade teriyaki sauce recipe, or you can streamline this recipe by using the store-bought sauce. I'll recommend which teriyaki brand I'm in LOVE with (no affiliation - it has clean ingredients and the best flavor.
- How to assemble the 'don' rice bowl.
- Variations of toppings to make the recipe fit your cravings!
If you have good cooking skills, you can save time and actually like to cook! Check out my Expert Tips for Improving Your Cooking Skills.
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What is Donburi?
Donburi ‘bowl’ in English is a Japanese dish consisting of a bowl of rice topped with various ingredients such as meat, seafood, vegetables, and eggs. The toppings can be cooked in various ways, such as grilled, fried, or slathered in a sauce. Often served with a sauce or broth and garnished with additional seasonings such as sesame seeds or chopped scallions.
Let's veganize it!
Main ingredients
We've kept this one simple because simple is often the best, and this rice bowl will not only satisfy but satiate you. The teriyaki sauce is sweet and savory, which is perfectly balanced by the mild rice.
- Tofu Ground Beef (Tofu Crumbles) - cook smarter, not harder, and make a large batch by doubling or tripling the recipe to use for other meals throughout the week.
- White rice - you can use quinoa, cauliflower rice, or any grain you're craving!
- Roasted broccoli - is there anything better than a broccoli and teriyaki combo?
- Teriyaki sauce - use my homemade recipe or save time and buy some storebought. (No affiliation, but Bachan's sauce is the BEST)
- Toppings - slivered spring onion and nutty sesame seeds are the cherries on top of this delicious dish!
See the recipe card for quantities and full instructions.
Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
Soy sauce - or coconut aminos
Maple syrup - introduces the soy sauce with some sweetness
Grated ginger - a pungent spice that adds a pop of bright flavor. Buy it grated or finely grate it yourself with a micro grater or lemon zester.
Garlic cloves - ground into a paste or buy it minced in a jar.
Rice vinegar - the acid used to balance the flavors.
Cornstarch or arrowroot powder will thicken the sauce by forming a slurry. Start slow, then add while stirring for the perfect consistency and texture.
Substitutions
Rice bowls are very versatile and can be made uniquely to your liking. Here are some swaps and ideas when making your bowl.
Rice - swap for brown rice, quinoa, farro, cauliflower rice, etc. Pick your favorite grain or go grain-free with a vegetable rice variation.
Broccoli - you can steam or roast the broccoli or choose an entirely different vegetable to compliment the bowl, like cubed sweet potatoes, zucchini, carrots, or sliced peppers.
Teriyaki sauce - while this sauce is the star of the show, swap it for your current favorite. Try Sriracha, sweet chili, BBQ, or plain soy sauce.
Toppings - traditionally, sesame seeds and sliced spring onions are used. Get creative!
- Grated ginger - this will bring a pop of fresh, bright flavor. I recommend 'The Ginger People' brand.
- Thinly sliced carrot sticks - the texture and crunch will add dimension to the dish.
- Shredded nori (kizami nori) - this will bring in an extra crunch with a slight seafood
- Daikon sprouts - add a peppery flavor
- Furikake - a traditional Japanese spice blend of dried seaweed, sesame seeds, and salt.
Instructions
Start out by prepping and cooking the rice and broccoli. Then prepare the sauce and finally assemble!
Cook the Rice
Remember to rinse and drain your rice until it runs clear before cooking. Combine washed rice and water with a tablespoon of oil or butter (optional). Refer to the package for cooking time and full instructions.
Roast the broccoli
For this recipe, use two bunches of broccolini (baby broccoli). Cut the top florets off and transfer them onto a baking tray. Sprinkle with salt and bake for 10 minutes at 375°F until fork tender.
Make the teriyaki sauce
Gather all ingredients for the sauce (except the cornstarch or arrowroot powder) and add them to a saucepan. Stirring frequently while the sauce warms up on medium heat. Once bubbling, lower the heat to low and allow the sauce to simmer. Add the thickener (cornstarch) and continue stirring until the sauce thickens.
The sauce is done when it's pourable with a little thickness. Similar consistency to maple syrup.
Assemble the bowl
Prepare the rice (or grain of choice) and fill the bottom of the bowl with about one cup.
Add in one cup of vegan ground beef.
Gather a cup of roasted broccoli and add to the bowl.
Drizzle extra sauce over top, and sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
Equipment
You'll need a baking tray for roasting broccolini and an oven for this recipe. A small saucepan is used when making the homemade sauce. A medium saucepan with a lid to cook the rice or a rice cooker.
Storage
Leftover rich teriyaki sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
The vegan ground beef, vegetables, and rice will last up to 5 days in the fridge. If making multiple batches for meal prep, store each component in individual containers.
Top tips:
- If you want to make this recipe with fewer steps, buy a store-bought sauce.
- Grab a large bowl when assembling so that everything can fit.
- If your rice gets hard and crispy on the top while cooking, use a fork to fluff it, allowing moisture back in.
FAQ
What rice is used for Donburi?
Traditionally, short-grain Japanese white rice is used. Short-grain rice has a sticky texture that is perfect for picking up with chopsticks! Fluffy sushi rice is another option.
Is all teriyaki sauce vegan?
Most are vegan, typically made with soy sauce, which is naturally vegan. Always check the label since honey can be used as a sweetener.
Which store-bought brand of teriyaki sauce do you recommend?
Streamline the recipe with store-bought sauce! I'm always seeking clean brands with the highest quality ingredients, and for teriyaki sauce, that's Bachan's! No affiliation. I purchase from Whole Foods.
more meal prep recipes to check out
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Teriyaki Donburi Recipe (Vegan Japanese Rice Bowl)
Ingredients
For the bowl:
- 4 cups Tofu Ground Beef
- 4 cups cooked white rice
- 2 bunches broccolini or broccoli florets (about 4 cups)
- 1 teaspoon salt
Teriyaki Sauce:
- ½ cup soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 1 cup filtered water
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- ½ teaspoon grated fresh ginger or use jarred minced ginger
- 3 teaspoons cornstarch
- ¼ cup filtered cold water
Toppings:
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 bunch sliced green onions
Instructions
- *This recipe uses my homemade vegan ground beef. If not already prepared, head over to that recipe and start prepping/cooking per instructions.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Start by prepping the rice. First, rinse and drain in a mesh colander until the water runs clear. Cook per package instructions by combining the rice, water, and oil or butter until boiling. Cover with lid and lower heat for 17-20 minutes.
- Chop the tips off of the broccolini or florets from the heads of the broccoli and line them on a baking tray. Sprinkle with salt and transfer to the oven for 8-10 minutes until fork tender and deeply green. Once they have reached your desired crispness, remove them from the oven and set aside.
- While the rice and broccoli cook, prepare the teriyaki sauce: combine all ingredients (except the cornstarch and ¼ cup water) in a saucepan and boil, stirring consistently. Lower heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Next, combine the cornstarch and ¼ cup cold water into a slurry. Add the slurry to the saucepan and stir for 3-5 minutes or until the sauce has thickened. Remove from heat. Note: sauce might continue thickening as it rests.
- Take 4 cups of cooked ground 'beef' and place it in an oiled frying pan. Drizzle with ½ cup of teriyaki sauce and warm on medium-low while stirring occasionally for a few minutes.
- Assemble the don: Scoop one cup of rice into the base of a large bowl. Add one cup of ground 'beef' and one cup of roasted broccoli. Drizzle with teriyaki sauce and top with a pinch of salt, slivered green onions, and sesame seeds.
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