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 (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
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

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.

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