Whether it be at the dinner table or served up as street food, falafel is one of the world’s favorite savory treats. But what to serve with falafel?
Here we’ve got you covered from sauces, salads, breads to drinks! Let’s take a look at some of the traditional and creative options that will ensure your falafel feast is simply delicious!
Falafel
Falafel is a delicious and nutritious dish of ground chickpeas that have been blended with spices and herbs to create a flavorful patty. It is commonly served as part of sandwiches or as its own main dish.
However, falafel often benefits immensely from accompaniments such as different sauces and side dishes that bring out the various flavors in the dish. In this article, we discuss some popular accompaniments for falafels so that you can add more flavor to your meal.
Types of Falafel
Falafel is a versatile Lebanon dish that is popular in the Middle East, North Africa, and the Mediterranean. It consists of a deep-fried patty made from ground chickpeas or fava beans mixed with spices, sometimes herbs and onions.
It’s crunchy on the outside and soft and flavorful on the inside. Falafel can be eaten alone or in sandwiches, but it really shines when you pair it with a side dish or two.
Whether you’re hosting a party or just want to add more protein to your diet, there are many different types of falafel to choose from! Here are some popular varieties:
Traditional Falafel: Consists of ground chickpeas or fava beans with onion, parsley, garlic, cumin and other spices. The mixture is shaped into patties which are then deep fried until golden brown.
Spinach Falafel: Spinach is added to the traditional recipe for an extra nutritional boost. Spinach adds minerals such as iron and calcium as well as vitamin A.
Vegetable Falafel: Vegetables such as carrots, tomatoes, eggplant or zucchini can be added to give falafel a unique flavor and texture. Veggie falafels are often served as an accompaniment to salads for added texture and flavor.
Whole Grain Falafel: Whole grain options include bulgur wheat or couscous which can be blended in with chickpeamyrihaseeds and other ingredients for extra nutritional value and fiber. Whole grain falafels are perfect for vegan and vegetarians since they provide protein without using animal products like eggs or dairy items..
What To Serve With Falafel Patties?
Dipping Sauce For Falafel
Here are some popular items that go well with falafel patties:
● Lemon Herb Tahini – A thick sauce made of sesame seeds, tahini adds a creamy tang to every bite of falafel. This sesame seed paste has a nutty flavor that complements falafel incredibly well. If you’re looking to add some heat, try harissa sauce — a spicy red pepper and chili paste — or Toum, an emulsified garlic sauce traditional to Lebanon.
Other popular sauces for falafel include tzatziki (yogurt with garlic and lemon), skhug (a spicy green hot sauce) and amba (pickled mango). Experiment with different flavors to see what you like best!
● Hummus – Chickpeas are at the heart of making hummus and falafel, so why not serve both together? Try making your own or buying some ready-made for an easy way to complete the meal.
● Eggplant Dip – Roast eggplants with garlic and spices for an unforgettable dip that’s sure to please even picky eaters! Serve warm or cold with slices of pita bread.
Salads
● Israeli Salad – Cucumber salad is cool and refreshing, plus it adds a delicious crunch to each bite of falafel. Try adding diced tomatoes for an extra pop of flavor!
● Tabouli Salad – This light vegetable salad is packed full of texture and flavor thanks to fresh parsley and tomatoes. A squeeze of lemon juice gives tabouli its vibrant color and compliments the overall flavor profile beautifully!
Breads
Breads are an essential accompaniment to falafel and many traditional recipes include them.
Popular types of bread used include pita, laffa and naan, with laffa being the most common one.
Pita is a thin, unleavened flatbread that can be bought pre-made, while laffa is served as a thicker version of pita made by baking dough on a hot flat surface and rolling it afterwards.
Naan is a leavened bread that can be made at home and served warm with butter or garlic paste.
Falafel sandwiches are often filled with cucumbers, tomatoes, onion, lettuce, hummus and other condiments like tahini or amba (mango pickle).
Beverages
For a light and refreshing accompaniment for your homemade falafel, try fresh-squeezed lemonade or a light, flavored seltzer water.
Mint cooler – If you’re feeling adventurous, mix up some of the mint cooler popular in the Middle East – simply pour 4 cups of cold water into a pitcher and then add the leaves from 4-5 sprigs of spearmint or peppermint, as well as ¼ cup of sugar or honey to taste. Stir until everything is dissolved, chill and enjoy!
Ice-cold Beer – For an alcoholic treat that pairs well with Middle Eastern flavors, you can’t go wrong with an ice-cold beer. There are plenty of interesting imports to try from local microbreweries in your area – just pick one that complements your favorite falafel toppings!
Finally, don’t forget about wine. If you want to really make everything traditional go for some dry white Israeli wines like Golan heights Yarden Chardonnay or Galil Mountain Ela Chardonnay.
Red wines are also great – especially red blended wines from Lebanon such as Chateau Ksara Reserve du Couvent.
Tips On What To Eat With Falafel
For a light, refreshing side dishes, try adding some salad greens or fresh vegetables such as cucumber, tomatoes, lettuce and red onions. These help to cut through rich flavors like those found in falafel.
For a heartier meal that includes carbohydrates such as potatoes or rice can also be served on the side. To provide an acidic balance to plainer flavors like those found in falafel, pickles are a good option too.
Most importantly, don’t forget to include sauces! Falafel can be dipped into a variety of sauces including tzatziki (a Greek-style sauce), hummus (a spread made from chickpeas), spicy garlic sauce (harissa) or tahini (sesame seed paste).
Each one adds its own distinct flavor and makes for an amazing combination when eaten with falafel.
More Condiments Ideas
What To Serve With Falafel? (Sauces, Salads, Breads, and Drinks)
Ingredients
Sauces
- 1. Lemon Herb Tahini
- 2. Tzatziki
- 3. Hummus
- 4. Skhug (a spicy green hot sauce)
- 5. Harissa sauce a spicy red pepper and chili paste
- 6. Toum an emulsified garlic sauce traditional to Lebanon
- 7. Amba pickled mango
- 8. Eggplant Dip
Salads
- 1. Israeli Salad
- 2. Tabouli Salad
Breads
- 1. Pita
- 2. Laffa
- 3. Naan
Beverage
- 1. Mint cooler popular in the Middle East
- 2. Ice-cold Beer
- 3. Israeli wines Golan heights Yarden Chardonnay or Galil Mountain Ela Chardonnay
- 4. Red wines Red blended wines from Lebanon such as Chateau Ksara Reserve du Couvent.
Instructions
- Select the favorite items from above to pair with your falafel.