Vegetarian Recipes

Grilled Wedge Salad with Spicy Ranch Dressing

In the salad world wedge salads deliver the most payoff for the least amount of effort. There are few things simpler. Cut a head of iceberg lettuce into quarters, top with a favorite dressing, and flare it out with a few toppings. Done. It rides high on any plate and always brings the drama. And as much as I love a wedge salad, I love a grilled wedge salad even more. Add a minute or so on the grill before dressing and you have a gorgeous grilled wedge that you can serve alongside whatever else is coming off your grill, for example tofu burgers, or grilled versions of your favorite tartine. My version features a not-shy spicy ranch dressing along with pine nuts, and lots of chives.

How to Cut a Wedge Salad

I just want to highlight this, because it is one of the few ways this recipe could go south on you. Cut each head of lettuce into quarters through the stem. The core will help keep each wedge together. Take a glance at the photos if this is confusing. Basically, cutting the lettuce “around the equator” is a no. Trim any less than beautiful leaves from the outside.

The Keys to Grilling Wedge Salad

The key to perfect grilled lettuce is being organized and having the grill at the right temperature. You want a relatively hot grill. On a hot grill your lettuce quickly gets all the grill goodness where it touches the grate, but the core stays nice and crisp and structured. My grill has a temperature gauge on it. I heat it to 400F, quickly arrange the lettuce wedges cut side down across the hottest zones and leave them there for 30-45 seconds. This is long enough to take on some color. Then quickly (and carefully) turn each wedge onto its second cut side, grill another 30-45 seconds and boom, you’re done. Get them off the grill as soon as possible. If you’re grilling all sorts of other stuff, the wedges go on last.

Adding a Spicy Element to your Dressing

You have some latitude here! I’ve made this spicy ranch dressing with a range of spicy ingredients, and sriracha, curry paste, and salsa negra all work great. The version you see pictured here was made with sriracha. Or you can skip the spicy altogether, it’s completely your call.

Wedge Salad Variations and Toppings

There are a thousand different directions you can take a wedge salad like this. I’m going to throw out some ideas, but if you have your own favorite, please leave it in the comments!

Wedge Salad with Turmeric Buttermilk Dressing: This was a favorite version. Skip the spicy in this recipe and substitute 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric. It lends a beautiful yellow vibrancy to the dressing and it’s a delicious swap. I like this version with toasted almond slices for the crunchy component.
Classic Wedge Salad: You can skip the grill altogether.A lot of people like some sort of blue cheese dressing here, but if I’m going to go iceberg wedge, I’m going to opt for ranch or other creamy buttermilk dressing.
Topping ideas: I love tiny croutons here. Big ones tend to slide right off the wedge whereas smaller ones get lodged in the cracks and crevices. Roasted tomatoes are A+ as a finishing touch, they meld with the dressing and it’s omg good. Tiny cubes of avocado are great, as is a sprinkling of minced olives. Breadcrumbs are also a win – especially extra garlicky ones. I added some pretty home grown chive blossoms here along with the chives for some extra flavor and prettiness.

Happy grilling! -h

Grilled Wedge Salad with Spicy Ranch Dressing

When I run low on Champagne vinegar, apple cider vinegar is a good swap here. Also, if you want to thin the dressing a bit, add an extra splash of the buttermilk. You can also use other sturdy lettuces in place of the iceberg called for here, Romaine and heads of little gems are good alternatives..

INGREDIENTS

- 1/2 cup / 100g sour cream
- 1/2 cup / 100g buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for grilling
- 2 teaspoons Champagne vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons minced chives, plus more for serving
- 1 tablespoon sriracha, curry paste, or salsa negra
- 1-2 medium heads of iceberg lettuce
- for serving: crunchy kale chips, toasted nuts

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Combine the sour cream, buttermilk, olive oil, vinegar, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, chives, and sriracha in a jar. Stir until well combined.

2. Prep your grill by getting it nice and hot. Cut the iceberg lettuce into quarters through the core and stem – this way they hold together. Brush each wedge with a generous amount of olive oil, and get ready to put them on the grill. It will go fast, so don’t walk away. Quickly arrange the lettuce wedges cut side down across the hottest zones of your grill. Leave them there for 30-45 seconds, or long enough to take on some color. Then, quickly (and carefully) turn each wedge onto its second cut side, for another 30-45 seconds, remove quickly onto individual plates or a family-style platter.

3. Serve drizzled with the dressing and lots of crushed kale chips, toasted nuts (pine nuts and pistachios pictured here), and you can never have enough chives. You’ll likely have plenty of leftover dressing, it keeps, refrigerated, for 4-5 days.

NOTES

Serves 4 – 8

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Vegetarian Recipes

Easy Homemade Falafel

This Easy Homemade Falafel recipe is one of the first recipes I shared on here after getting my food processor 15 years ago, and it’s stood the test of time as a reader favorite. These protein-packed, budget-friendly vegan patties are perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner, and they’re so easy to make at home! Traditionally, they’re deep-fried, which gives them a wonderfully crispy exterior with a soft, warm center. I have an irrational fear of deep-frying, so I shallow-fry my falafels in a skillet. They still turn out crispy and delicious, but with less mess and hassle!

What is Falafel?

If you’ve never had falafel before, they’re a classic street food originating from the Middle East. These little fried patties are made of mashed beans (fava or chickpeas/garbanzo) mixed with tons of fresh herbs and spices, like parsley, cilantro, and cumin. They’re browned and crispy on the outside, with a soft center. If you’re veggie, vegan, or trying to reduce your meat intake, homemade falafel is the perfect protein-packed alternative!

My version of this tasty treat is definitely not authentic, as I use canned chickpeas and flour. But if you’d like to try your hand at making authentic falafel or read more about the culture and history behind them, check out this recipe from The Mediterranean Dish.

“These are hands down the best falafels I’ve ever had! They’re easy to make, crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside and taste fantastic! I also made your hummus & Greek yogurt sauce to go with them. Stuffed a pita with falafels, hummus, fresh greens and topped with the sauce, All I can say is Wow! Thank you!!”

MaryBeth

Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy falafel recipe:

Canned Chickpeas: I always use canned chickpeas because they’re quick (no soaking required), readily accessible, and CHEAP. You can use dried chickpeas if you like; just be sure to soak them overnight and prepare about 3 cups worth (which is equivalent to two standard 15-ounce cans).
Flour: I use all-purpose flour to help bind the mixture together. You can also use chickpea or garbanzo bean flour to keep this recipe gluten-free.
Baking Powder: The combination of canned chickpeas and flour can make the patties quite dense, so I add some baking powder to offset this. It helps create a lighter texture on the inside while still maintaining crispiness on the outside.
Red Onion: Adds a nice bite and texture. Any color onion will work here, but I love the flavor of red onions in this recipe.
Fresh Parsley and Cilantro: These add a fresh and vibrant flavor. Don’t like cilantro? No problem—just use extra parsley. I don’t recommend substituting dried herbs here, as they won’t taste the same fresh.
Garlic: I use four whole cloves, so the garlic flavor certainly isn’t lacking here!
Cooking Oil: Use any neutral cooking oil suitable for frying. Some options include avocado oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, or grapeseed oil.
Seasonings: Salt, cayenne pepper, and cumin add flavor with a little kick of heat. Feel free to reduce the amount of cayenne or omit it altogether if you’re sensitive to spice.

Can I Bake Them?

I always get questions about whether you can bake falafel, and I really wouldn’t suggest it. In my testing, I found they don’t get a nice brown crispy exterior like you do with frying, and they can get quite dry. Some readers have had success using the air fryer for about 15 minutes at around 370°F, but I haven’t personally tested this method.

Process the ingredients in batches if you have a smaller food processor. This recipe makes a fairly big batch of falafel mix, and I don’t want you to overwork your food processor! If you have a smaller one, divide the ingredients and process in batches.
Avoid big chunks of ingredients. I like my patties to have some texture, but big pieces of onion or chickpeas can cause them to fall apart when frying. Make sure to process the ingredients until a chunky paste forms.
Don’t skip the flour, and add it in batches. The mixture will hold together without adding flour, but as soon as you cook it, I can almost guarantee the patties will fall apart. You want to add the flour in batches (starting with 2 tablespoons) until the mixture is thick enough to hold its shape when formed into balls.
Let the mixture rest. This rehydrates the flour, enhances the flavor, and makes it easier to form into patties. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour before cooking. You can even leave it overnight and fry them the next day.
Make sure the oil is hot. One reason I prefer pan-frying over deep frying is because I don’t have to check the oil temperature constantly. However, it’s still important to make sure the oil is hot. It should be hot and shimmering but not smoking. The hot oil immediately creates a crispy crust on the patties when they hit the pan (another trick to help them hold their shape).
Don’t overcrowd the pan. Adding too many patties to the hot oil will cause the temperature to drop and affect the cooking time and texture. I like to cook them in batches, leaving enough space between each one for even cooking.

How to Serve Falafel

I don’t think I’ll ever tire of falafel wraps or flatbread with fresh greens and tahini sauce. But recently, I’ve been making hummus bowls from our white bean hummus, whatever raw veggies I have in the fridge (usually cucumber, tomatoes, and bell peppers), pickles or pickled red onions, and these yummy little patties. Or, to please a crowd, I love to create a mezze platter with several dips, like tzatziki sauce or baba ganoush, marinated olives, pita bread, crudités, and homemade falafel! They’d also add a delicious, garlicky flavor to just about any salad, but I like one with a tangy dressing, like our Greek salad.

Storage, Freezing, & Reheating

I usually freeze some of the uncooked patties as a grab-and-go option for busy nights. I form the mixture, but instead of frying, I freeze them on a parchment-lined baking sheet until solid and transfer to a freezer bag. Because they’re only small, you can pan-fry them from frozen without thawing.

Any leftovers (after cooking) should be cooled and stored in the fridge for 3-4 days, making them great for meal prep! You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or oven (best for maintaining the crispy exterior) if desired.

Homemade falafel on top of some hummus with salad.

Homemade Falafel Recipe

This Homemade Falafel recipe packs chickpeas, fresh herbs, and spices into a flavorful, Middle-Eastern-inspired patty that’s quick, easy, and delicious.

Course Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine Middle-Eastern

Total Cost ($3.08 recipe / $0.16 serving)

Prep Time 1 30

Cook Time 10

Total Time 1 40

Servings falafel

Calories 108kcal

Author Beth Moncel

Equipment

Food Processor
Baking Sheet
Parchment Paper

Ingredients

2 15 oz. cans chickpeas $1.72
¼ red onion $0.26
1 handful fresh parsley, about ¼ bunch $0.26
1 handful fresh cilantro, about ¼ bunch $0.17
4 cloves garlic $0.12
1 tsp salt $0.01
½ tsp cayenne pepper $0.13
1 tsp ground cumin $0.08
1 tsp baking powder $0.04
½ cup flour* $0.07
¼ cup neutral cooking oil for frying $0.22

Instructions

Rinse and drain the chickpeas in a colander. Add the chickpeas to a food processor with the red onion, parsley, cilantro, salt, cayenne, garlic and cumin.
Process the mixture until it forms a chunky paste. A little texture to the mixture is usually desirable. You may need to scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally to make sure the mixture is an even texture.
Place the mixture into a bowl and add the baking powder. Begin adding flour, 2 Tbsp at a time, until the mixture becomes cohesive enough to form into patties and not stick to your hands. Refrigerate the mixture for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend.
Using a small measuring cup or scoop (about 1/8th cup or 2 Tbsp), form the mixture into small patties.
If freezing the patties for later, place them on a parchment lined baking sheet so they can freeze without sticking together. The patties can be transferred to an air-tight container or freezer bag for long-term storage once they have frozen through.
To cook the fresh or frozen patties, heat oil in a skillet (or pot if deep frying) until very hot and shimmering, but not smoking. Cook the patties on each side until deep golden brown and crispy.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*Chickpea or garbanzo bean flour will give the best flavor and texture, but all-purpose flour can be used in its place.

Nutrition

Homemade falafel in a flatbread with salad.

How to Make Falafel — Step By Step Photos

Overhead view of the ingredients for homemade falafel.

Gather all your ingredients.

Chickpeas, parsley, cilantro, diced red onion, garlic cloves, cumin, cayenne, and salt in a food processor.

Rinse and drain two 15oz. cans of chickpeas (or about 3 cups if cooked from dry) in a colander. Add the chickpeas to a food processor along with a large handful of parsley, a large handful of cilantro, 1/4 of a red onion, 4 cloves garlic, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp cayenne, and 1 tsp salt.

Pulse the mixture until you have a chunky paste. Chunks add great texture, but too many will keep the mixture from holding its shape in a patty. Transfer the mixture to a bowl.

Falafel mix in a mixing bowl with flour added.

Stir 1 tsp baking powder into the chickpea mixture. Then begin adding flour, 2 Tbsp at a time, until the paste is dry enough to form patties and not stick to your hands. I only used 1/4 cup of flour when I made these recently! Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour to let the flavors blend.

Shaped falafel patties on a baking sheet.

Scoop the mixture into about 2 Tbsp portions and shape into small patties.

Falafel patties in a zip loc bag for freezing.

If you’d like to freeze your falafel, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment, then place them in the freezer. Once frozen solid, you can transfer them to a freezer bag for long-term storage. I got 19 falafel with a 2 Tbsp scoop. I cooked some immediately and froze the rest.

Three falafel patties frying in a pan of oil.

To cook, add enough oil to a skillet to completely cover the surface (one of my favorite pans). Heat over medium until the oil is hot and shimmering. Add the formed patties and cook on each side until brown and crispy.