Falafel Patties over Lemon Herb Rice Pilaf

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Golden falafel patties served on a bed of fluffy rice pilaf flavored with fresh herbs and bright lemon for a vegetarian Mediterranean delight. This greek-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian, mediterranean) ready in about 60 minutes pairs small, chopped onion, garlic cloves, packed, chopped fresh parsley for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 40 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Greek cuisine 410 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a food processor, combine 1 can (15 oz) drained chickpeas, 1 small chopped onion, 3 garlic cloves, 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 3 tbsp all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Pulse until a coarse, sticky mixture forms but not pureed. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: While falafel chills, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 cup rinsed long grain rice and stir for 2 minutes to coat the grains.
  3. Step 3: Add 2 cups vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes until rice is tender and liquid absorbed. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh mint.
  4. Step 4: Heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Form falafel mixture into 8 equal patties about 2.5 inches wide.
  5. Step 5: Fry patties in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
  6. Step 6: Serve the falafel patties on a bed of lemon herb rice pilaf with your choice of dips or salad.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Falafel Patties over Lemon Herb Rice Pilaf take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (40 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Falafel Patties over Lemon Herb Rice Pilaf?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep small, chopped onion from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Falafel Patties over Lemon Herb Rice Pilaf?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Falafel Patties over Lemon Herb Rice Pilaf for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Falafel Patties over Lemon Herb Rice Pilaf vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes