Vegetarian Recipes

Rainbow Veggie Fajitas

https://www.loveandlemons.com/rainbow-veggie-fajitas/

Can you believe the 4th of July is right around the corner? It seems like Memorial Day was just last week! If you’re gearing up for the next big summer BBQ holiday, you have to give these delicious rainbow veggie fajitas a try. They’re super easy to make on the grill, and all the ingredients in this veggie fajita recipe can be found at ALDI, meaning that this whole fajita spread is really affordable too.

I’ve been impressed with the quality of fresh produce and pantry staples at ALDI for a while now, but this season, their array of veggies (at super low prices!) really knocked my socks off. To make things even more convenient, we’ve put together a special Instacart link for you that has all of the ingredients ready to make this recipe – click here!

Now that it’s summer, I can’t get enough of colorful fresh veggies like tomatoes and peppers, and I was SO excited to see these rainbow bell peppers at the store. How pretty is that red, yellow, and green? When I saw them, I knew right away that I’d be making these rainbow fajitas. Along with the pretty peppers, I used bold purple onion for extra color and portobello mushrooms for hearty texture.

Veggie Fajitas are Perfect for Parties!

After making these fajitas, I can tell you that they’re my new go-to summer entertaining dish. Not only can you make them in under 30 minutes, but they’re also ideal for serving a crowd because everyone can customize their final dish to their liking. Jack’s not a fan of avocado (crazy, I know), so he skipped it. I loaded mine up with all the fixings and generous squeezes of lime, and the next day, I enjoyed the leftovers in a burrito bowl with the grilled fajita veggies, rice, beans, arugula, and lots of guac and salsa.

And the best part? The veggies can go straight from the grill to the picnic table at your next backyard celebration.

My Fajita Marinade

You don’t need a fancy fajita seasoning mix to pack these veggie fajitas with flavor. I use a simple 5-ingredient fajita marinade. It’s a lightly spicy mix of avocado oil, garlic, chili powder, cumin, and sea salt. I use Simply Nature Avocado Oil here because I like its neutral taste with the Tex Mex spices. In addition, it’s great for grilling because it has a high smoke point, so you don’t need to worry about putting it on the hot grill.

The mushrooms also get coated with the marinade along with a little balsamic vinegar to make them extra juicy and flavorful. And once everything’s cooked, I brighten up all the veggies with a generous squeeze of lime.

How to Make Fajitas

Once you’ve mixed your marinade together, this recipe couldn’t be simpler to make. Here’s what you need to do:

Slice your veggies! I like to cut the onions into wedges and the peppers into thin slices. Just stem the mushrooms and leave the caps whole.
Drizzle on the marinade. Toss the peppers with a scant tablespoon of the marinade, and pour the remaining marinade over the mushrooms and onions. Rub a splash of balsamic vinegar onto the mushrooms too.
It’s time to grill! Preheat the grill with a cast iron skillet or grill pan on one side. When it’s hot, put the pepper slices in the hot skillet and grill the mushrooms and onions directly on the grill grates.
Don’t forget to flip halfway… Cook until the veggies soften and char marks form on the onions and mushrooms, flipping halfway through. I use tongs to toss the peppers in the skillet and cook until they get a little char too.
Enjoy! Slice the mushroom caps and serve the fajita veggies with tortillas and your favorite fixings.

What to Serve with Veggie Fajitas

I like to enjoy this fajita recipe with guacamole, pico de gallo, and tomatillo or pineapple salsa for creamy, zesty, and fresh accents. And don’t forget the tortillas – flour tortillas are traditional for fajitas, but corn tortillas are good too.

While these fajitas are a filling meal on their own, you can never go wrong by serving them alongside black beans and cilantro lime rice.

And don’t forget the margaritas!

If you love this veggie fajita recipe…

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Happy fajita making!

Rainbow Veggie Fajitas

Author: Jeanine Donofrio

Recipe type: main dish

3 multi-colored peppers, stemmed and sliced into strips
3 portobello mushrooms, stemmed and wiped clean
1 red onion, sliced into wedges
2 tablespoons Simply Nature Avocado Oil
2 garlic cloves, chopped
½ teaspoon Stonemill Chili Powder, more to taste
½ teaspoon Simply Nature Cumin
½ teaspoon sea salt, more to taste
Splash of balsamic vinegar
2 limes, sliced into wedges
Freshly ground black pepper

Heat a grill to medium heat with a 12-inch cast-iron skillet (or grill pan) inside.
Arrange the peppers on a tray and the mushrooms and onion wedges on a separate rimmed plate. In a small bowl, whisk together the avocado oil, garlic, chili powder, cumin, salt, and several grinds of pepper. Drizzle 1 scant tablespoon of the mixture over the peppers and toss to coat. Drizzle the remaining marinade over the mushrooms and onions. Drizzle the mushrooms with a splash of balsamic vinegar and use your hands to coat the mushrooms on both sides.
Grill the peppers in the cast-iron pan for 8 to 10 minutes, tossing occasionally, until charred and soft. Be careful not to overfill the pan or the veggies won’t char on the edges – cook them in 2 batches, if necessary. Grill the mushrooms and onion wedges directly on the grill for about 4 minutes about per side. Remove everything from the grill, using a potholder to remove the cast-iron pan. Squeeze the juice of ½ lime over the peppers and season with salt, pepper, and more chili powder, to taste. Slice the mushrooms into strips and place on a serving dish. Transfer the onions and the peppers to a serving skillet or large platter.
Serve with the tortillas, guacamole, jalapeños, tomatoes, cilantro, salsa, and remaining lime wedges for serving.

3.4.3177

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.