Creamy hummus, crispy falafel, fresh veggies and tasty flavors like honey, lemon, and feta. These easy 30-minute rice bowls are vegetarian and healthy!
On this hot and humid summer day, I have something light and fresh and Lebanese-inspired for you!
This tasty rice bowl has crispy falafel and creamy hummus, combined with lots of fresh ingredients and herbs, and topped with a homemade vinaigrette dressing.
I love this recipe because the combo of flavors (like dill, lemon, honey, and feta) is so addictingly delicious and also really unique.
The same old summer staples – burgers and grilled chicken – can get boring after a while.
This falafel rice bowl is something completely different for dinner.
One thing I should mention: these falafel rice bowls have so many elements, I’d have to spend well over an hour to create them from scratch.
But, especially in the summer, all I want are simple, streamlined meals.
So to make this falafel rice bowl a 30-minute meal, I take a few shortcuts.
I use packaged rice pilaf (it takes about 20 minutes to cook on the stovetop or in the microwave).
I also use packaged hummus.
And (did you know this?) you can also buy falafel prepared and packaged!
I was thrilled when I found this out because I love falafel, but it takes some real time and skill to make from scratch (it’s made of ground chickpeas, oil, herbs, and seasonings).
The kind I buy is packaged and refrigerated and located near the hummus in the grocery store.
You just toss the prepared falafel patties onto a baking sheet and then heat them up in the oven until they’re warmed through.
So easy!
I think the packaged falafel is tasty but really dry, so I like to serve it with creamy hummus for these rice bowls.
There are plenty of healthy and fresh ingredients in these falafel rice bowls too.
I love adding crisp mixed greens, cucumber, and tomato.
Then I drizzle on an easy homemade vinaigrette made with olive oil, fresh lemon, and honey.
And I top it all off with fresh dill and savory crumbled feta for lots of delish Mediterranean-inspired flavor.
This Lebanese-inspired rice bowl is a healthy, complete, vegetarian dinner that also happens to be really filling, satisfying, and delicious.
I love that it’s quick and easy to throw together in 30 minutes.
Plus, you get a little bit of everything delicious and wonderful in each and every bite: crisp veggies, creamy hummus, savory falafel, tart lemon, salty feta, sweet honey, and fresh herbs!
Here’s the recipe for Easy 30-Minute Falafel Rice Bowls:
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Easy 30-Minute Falafel Rice Bowls
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: Vegetarian
Description
Creamy hummus, crispy falafel, fresh veggies and tasty flavors like honey, lemon, and feta. These easy 30-minute rice bowls are vegetarian and healthy!
Ingredients
For the Falafel Rice Bowls:
- 6 ounce package rice pilaf mix
- 7 ounce package falafel patties (6 falafel patties)
- 2 cups mixed greens
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 small cucumber, diced
- 6 ounces organic traditional hummus
- 1/2 cup organic crumbled feta
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
For the Vinaigrette:
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1 Tablespoons honey
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon zest (from 1 large lemon)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Sea salt and ground black pepper
Instructions
For the Falafel Rice Bowls:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Prepare rice pilaf according to package instructions.
- Meanwhile, arrange falafel patties on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake until patties are heated through and crispy on the outside, about 6-8 minutes.
- Set out four serving bowls. Fill one side of each serving bowl with salad: mixed greens, tomato, and cucumber.
- Fill the other side of each serving bowl with rice pilaf. Arrange one and a half falafel patties and a scoop of hummus next to the rice (see photos).
- Drizzle Vinaigrette over each salad (see recipe below). Top each bowl with feta crumbles and plenty of fresh chopped dill.
- Serve while rice and falafel are still warm.
For the Vinaigrette:
- Add the olive oil, vinegar, honey, lemon zest, and garlic powder to a bowl. Season thoroughly with salt and pepper.
- Whisk until vinaigrette is thick, smooth, and well combined.
For More Recipes You Might Love, Check Out:
Easy Greek: Pasta with Tomatoes and Feta
Easy Greek: Herb Lemon Chicken with Feta
Greek Stuffed Peppers: Feta & Spinach
Greek Tomato-Feta Quinoa Salad
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