3 Copycat High-Protein Vegan Bowls (Chipotle, CAVA & Sweetgreen)

Written byLisa

Paying $14–$17 every time you crave a healthy restaurant bowl? No thanks.

That’s exactly why I started making copycat high-protein vegan bowls at home — packed with 25–40 grams of protein, bold flavor, and all the toppings you’d get from Chipotle, CAVA, and Sweetgreen… just without the price tag.

Trust me, once you make these, takeout will be your backup plan.

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1. Copycat Chipotle Vegan Sofritas Bowl (35g Protein)

This is the closest you’ll get to Chipotle at home, right down to the smoky sofritas flavor. Grab a pan and let’s do this.

What’s in a Chipotle Vegan Bowl?

  • Rice
  • Sofritas (spicy shredded tofu)
  • Black beans
  • Corn salsa
  • Pico de gallo
  • Guac
  • Romaine
  • Chipotle seasoning + lime

Ingredients (2 Servings)

Sofritas

  • 1 block extra-firm tofu, pressed (14 oz)
  • 2 tbsp adobo sauce from a can of chipotle peppers
  • 1 chipotle pepper (optional spicy kick)
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp oregano
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • ¼ cup water

Corn Salsa (like Chipotle!)

  • 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
  • ¼ red onion, diced
  • 1 jalapeño, minced
  • Juice of ½ lime
  • Salt + cilantro

Bowl Base & Toppings

  • 1 cup cooked white or brown rice
  • 1 cup cooked black beans
  • 1 small avocado (or guac)
  • Chopped romaine + pico de gallo

Instructions

  1. Press tofu, then slice into chunks and pan-fry until golden on all sides.
  2. Blend sofritas sauce (all sofritas ingredients). Add to pan with tofu and simmer 8–10 minutes, breaking tofu into crumbles.
  3. Mix corn salsa ingredients in a small bowl.
  4. Build your bowl: rice → beans → sofritas → corn salsa → pico → romaine → guac → squeeze of lime.

Protein Breakdown (Per Bowl)

IngredientProtein
Tofu22g
Black Beans15g
Rice3g
Total:~35g protein

💡 Pro Tip: Add fajita veggies (peppers & onions) for an even more authentic Chipotle vibe.

2. Copycat CAVA Vegan Harissa-Splendid Greens Bowl (30g Protein)

If you love spicy, tangy, lemony everything — this one’s your soulmate. The secret? The lemon herb tahini + spicy harissa drizzle.

What’s in a CAVA Vegan Bowl?

  • Splendid greens (arugula, romaine, spinach mix)
  • Harissa
  • Lentils & falafel
  • Roasted veggies
  • Israeli couscous or brown rice
  • Crazy feta (no dairy here — we do tofu feta!)
  • Lemon herb tahini

Ingredients (2 Servings)

Tofu “Feta”

  • ½ block extra-firm tofu, pressed
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ tsp oregano
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp salt

Harissa Chickpeas

  • 1 can chickpeas, drained & rinsed
  • 1 tbsp harissa paste
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp olive oil

Lemon Herb Tahini

  • ¼ cup tahini
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp water (add more if needed)
  • 1 tsp parsley
  • Salt to taste

Bowl Extras

  • 2 cups greens mix (arugula + spinach)
  • 1 cup cooked brown rice or couscous
  • Roasted veggies (cauliflower, carrots, sweet potato)
  • Bonus: chili crisp if you like heat 🔥

Instructions

  1. Tofu feta: Cut tofu into cubes and marinade at least 15–30 minutes.
  2. Toss chickpeas with spices + harissa, bake 20 min at 400°F.
  3. Whisk tahini sauce until creamy.
  4. Build bowls: greens → rice → roasted veggies → chickpeas → tofu feta → tahini → optional harissa drizzle → parsley.

Protein Breakdown (Per Bowl)

IngredientProtein
Chickpeas14g
Tofu Feta10–12g
Rice or Couscous4–6g
Total:~30g protein

💡 Pro Tip: Add crispy air-fried falafel to go full CAVA mode. 😉

3. Copycat Sweetgreen Blackened Tofu Bowl (32g Protein)

Sweetgreen is known for fresh, light bowls that still fill you up. This tastes exactly like the real thing (and better if you add extra tofu like I do 😌).

What’s in the Sweetgreen Tofu Bowl?

  • Blackened tofu
  • Warm rice/quinoa blend
  • Shredded cabbage
  • Roasted sweet potato
  • Kale
  • Lime cilantro dressing

Ingredients (2 Servings)

Blackened Tofu

  • 1 block extra-firm tofu, pressed
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp cayenne (optional spicy)
  • ½ tsp dried thyme
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Cilantro Lime Dressing

  • ½ cup cilantro
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp agave
  • ½ clove garlic
  • 1 tbsp water
  • Salt + pepper

Bowl Base

  • 1 cup quinoa + brown rice blend (50/50 mix)
  • 1 cup roasted sweet potato cubes
  • 1 cup shredded kale + cabbage (massage with lemon or olive oil)

Instructions

  1. Season tofu, pan-sear until crispy, finish in oven 10 min at 350°F.
  2. Blend cilantro lime dressing until smooth.
  3. Roast sweet potatoes 25 min at 425°F.
  4. Build bowls: grains → kale/cabbage → tofu → sweet potato → drizzle dressing.

Protein Breakdown (Per Bowl)

IngredientProtein
Tofu22g
Quinoa/Rice Mix7–10g
Total:~32g protein

💡 Pro Tip: Mix white + red quinoa for that Sweetgreen texture!

Bonus Tips for Meal Prep

  • Make 2 bowls at a time and store toppings separately to avoid soggy greens.
  • Keep dressing in mini containers and drizzle when ready.
  • Freeze leftover sofritas for easy lunches.
  • Add pumpkin seeds or hemp seeds for an extra 5–10 grams of plant protein.

📌 Follow me on Pinterest for more easy vegan protein meals!

FAQ: High-Protein Vegan Bowls

Are vegan bowls high in protein?
Yes! With tofu, chickpeas, beans, lentils, quinoa, seitan, or tempeh, you can easily reach 25–40 grams per bowl.

What’s the best protein for vegan bowls?
Tofu is the winner for budget, texture, and protein per dollar. Tempeh and seitan work great too.

How do I make tofu taste like restaurant bowls?
Press the water out, season heavily, and cook on high heat until crispy. Sauces make the final flavor.

Can I meal prep these bowls?
Absolutely. Store greens separately + keep sauces and tofu in airtight containers up to 4–5 days.

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Be sure to check out the High-Protein Vegan Recipes (20–40g Plant-Based Protein Meals)