Fresh and Flavorful Poke Bowl Marinade

Summer’s Best in a Bowl: Fresh Cucumber Poke Bowls

It’s that glorious time of year when cucumbers are overflowing from the garden! One of my favorite ways to put them to good use is by building vibrant, veggie-packed poke bowls. These bowls are fresh, fast, and endlessly customizable—perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a light summer lunch.

Not only are they refreshing, but they’re also a delicious way to enjoy a rainbow of vegetables, hearty whole grains, and satisfying plant-based (or lean) proteins.

Here’s the simple formula I love for assembling a flavorful, balanced poke bowl:

• A hearty base of brown rice

• Marinated tempeh or tofu (or even chicken, if you prefer—see the recipe below!)

• A colorful mix of toppings like sliced or shredded cucumbers, carrots, radishes, red cabbage, bell peppers, and avocado

• Finishing touches: edamame, cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and a sprinkle of peanuts or sesame seeds

Nutrition nugget: Cucumbers, largely produced to make pickles in the US, are refreshing, crunchy and easy to grow! Though they are largely made up of water, the additional nutritional benefits are valuable including providing vitamins C, A, and folic acid. Cucumbers are a rich source of fiber, especially from the skin. A notable characteristic of cucumbers are their concentration of silica, which is a mineral that contributes to supporting connective tissue in muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage and bone.