Wondering what to eat with falafel? I’ve got you covered! Keep reading to learn more about the best falafel sides to make your meal more flavorful and enjoyable.

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Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern dish made from ground chickpeas or fava beans that are shaped into small balls or patties and fried (or air fried) until crispy.

It is typically served in a pita bread or wrap with various toppings and sauces.

Here’s 25+ of the most popular and best side dishes for falafel.

PS – Be sure to try my Air Fryer Falafel recipe and these 13+ Sauces for Falafel.

The BEST Sides for Falafel

This simple Shirazi Salad recipe features fresh cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and crisp red onion. Dressed with plenty of fresh herbs and tossed with a tangy dressing made with lime juice and olive oil. Every bite is bursting with refreshing flavors!

Shirazi Salad

Overhead shot of tahini yogurt sauce in bowl topped with pomegranate seeds and with pita dipped into it.

This creamy Middle Eastern Yogurt Sauce will quickly become your new favorite quick & easy go to. Drizzle it over grilled salmon, serve it with lamb kebabs or shawarma, or use it as a yogurt dip for veggies.

Middle Eastern Yogurt Sauce

This Lebanese-inspired fattoush salad tosses vibrant vegetables and homemade pita chips in a tangy-sweet dressing. Enjoy it as an ultra-refreshing side dish with your favorite Middle Eastern or Mediterranean meals!

Fattoush Salad

This Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh Salad combines pearl couscous with tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh herbs and a light citrus dressing.

Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh Salad

These Air Fryer Pita Chips are a healthier alternative to deep-fried pita chips but don’t skimp on flavor or crunch! Easy to make with customizable flavors, they’re the perfect party snack to pair with your favorite dips and spreads.

Air Fryer Pita Chips

Overhead shot of greek tomato cucumber salad in white bowl next to bowl of feta.

This Greek Tomato Cucumber Salad tosses cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and red onion in a delicious, Mediterranean-inspired vinaigrette dressing. Topped with creamy feta and Kalamata olives, it’s the perfect healthy summer side dish or light meal.

Greek Tomato Cucumber Salad with Feta

This Green Mojo Sauce can be used for topping SO many different things. It’s loaded with fresh herbs, garlic and spicy peppers and it just perks up everything that it comes in contact with.

Green Mojo Sauce

Overhead close up of pearl couscous in serving bowl topped with parsley.

Learn how to cook perfect Israeli couscous, AKA pearl couscous, every time with this thorough guide. It’s a quick and convenient side dish you can dress up or down and pair with endless main dishes.

Israeli Couscous

Side shot of jar of pickled onions with pink background.

Quick Pickled Onions are so easy to make at home. With just 5-minutes you can have your red onions pickling. Let them cool to room temperature before using and then you can store them in the fridge for up to two weeks!

Quick Pickled Onions

This easy and spicy Harissa Hummus will have you hooked with its smoky and wonderfully aromatic flavor.

Harissa Hummus

Blistered shishitos in bowl with lemon slices and togarashi.

If you need a fun and flavorful finger food for the party, make it these Air Fryer Shishitos! They’re easy to make in 10 minutes, have a mild heat and sweet flavor, and are completely addictive. Bet you can’t eat just one!

Air Fryer Shishitos

With only four ingredients, you can make your own whipped, creamy and delicious Toum, a traditional Lebanese garlic sauce, at home!

Toum

These Air Fryer Shoestring Fries come out exactly like your favorite fast food fries! They’re crispy, golden on the outside and perfectly fluffy inside. SO much better than deep frying or baking! Plus, you can cook different types of fries – waffle fries, steak fries and more!

Air Fryer Frozen Shoestring Fries

This Baba Ganoush recipe with grilled eggplant is amazingly smooth and creamy with a delicious smoky flavor. Serve it alongside some fresh pita bread and vegetables for a delicious Mediterranean spread.

Baba Ganoush

You’ll want to keep a jar of this Pickled Red Cabbage in your fridge at all times. Not only is it fast and easy, but you can use it on anything! Pile it onto tacos, burgers, pork sandwiches, and so much more.

Pickled Red Cabbage

Overhead close up of zucchini fries on platter.

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries with Lemon Tarragon Aioli are perfect for snacking. Strips of zucchini, coated in panko cook up perfectly crispy in the air fryer. Dip them in an easy-to-prepare creamy aioli flavored with tarragon and lemon.

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

Peppers with grill marks scattered on counter.

Learn how to make perfectly tender and blistered Grilled Bell Peppers at home! It’s one of the best and easiest side dishes you can add to burrito bowls, fajitas, or pair with grilled meats.

Grilled Bell Peppers

Get a taste of the Mediterranean with cool, creamy Greek Tzatziki! It’s perfect served with grilled meats, pita bread or veggies, and it comes together in just 10 minutes!

Tzatziki Sauce

Overhead close up of combined vinegar slaw in large white mixing bowl.

Red Cabbage Slaw is a super simple side dish recipe made without mayo. It’s tangy, delicious and crunchy.

Red Cabbage Slaw

Whipped Feta Dip is seriously addicting! Whipped together with oil, greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, and cream, feta cheese transforms into a light and airy Mediterranean dip. Serve it at parties, celebrations, or enjoy it all for yourself!

Whipped Feta Dip

This Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemons is the perfect side dish. Sweet tomatoes combine with a tangy vinaigrette and delicious roasted lemons.

Cherry Tomato Salad

You can serve Sauteed Zucchini and Squash with practically anything! It’s a simple side dish that showcases sliced and seared summer squash and savory Italian flavors.

Sauteed Zucchini and Squash

This Tomato Cucumber Salad features fresh cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and crisp red onion. Dressed in a tangy homemade red wine vinaigrette, every bite is bursting with refreshing Mediterranean flavors!

Tomato Cucumber Salad

This Roasted Garlic recipe is one to keep in your back pocket at all times! The soft caramelized garlic cloves can be used to make almost anything, like soups, pasta, and sauces, extra delicious.

Roasted Garlic

Overhead shot of four pieces of naan stacked on wooden cutting board next to bowl of green chutney.

This Easy Homemade Naan & Chutney Recipe means that you can enjoy naan at home anytime with all your favorite dishes.

Homemade Naan

Lemon Tahini Dressing is a delicious and healthy creamy salad dressing. It requires just a few ingredients and comes together in less than 5 minutes.

Get the RECIPE from Garnish and Glaze

Bowl of rice with chopsticks next to rice cooker machine.

With an electric rice cooker and this easy-to-follow guide, you’ll make tender and fluffy rice every time. This Rice Cooker Rice is as simple as measuring, pushing a button, and returning to a batch of perfectly cooked rice!

Rice Cooker Rice

Make this copycat Costco Quinoa Salad at home for a healthy, hearty, and delicious grain-based salad studded with fresh veggies and fresh lemon dressing.

Quinoa Salad

Overhead shot of bowl of lentil soup topped with chopped chipotles and served with spoon.

This Spicy Lentil Soup is a warm and comforting hearty soup that’s perfect for chilly Fall days! The chipotle peppers give it a bit of heat and a great smoky flavor.

Spicy Lentil Soup

How to Make Ahead and Store

Many of these falafel side dish recipes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead.

Wine Pairings for Falafel

More Side Dish Recipes

Did you Make Any of These Falafel Side Dishes?

Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of what to serve with falafel. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

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What to Serve with Falafel

Wondering what to eat with falafel? Keep reading to discover the best sides for falafel to make your meal more flavorful! Try this simple Shirazi Salad. Featuring fresh cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and crisp red onion. Dressed with plenty of fresh herbs and tossed with a tangy dressing made with lime juice and olive oil.

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Prep Time: 30

Cook Time: 0

Resting time: 15

Total Time: 45

Servings: 4 people

Created by Platings and Pairings

Ingredients

1 pound roma tomatoes (small diced)
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¾ pound Persian cucumbers (or English cucumbers, small diced)
¼ cup minced red onion
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh dill
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh mint
2 limes (juiced (about ¼ cup lime juice))
3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt & pepper (to taste)

Instructions

Small dice the tomatoes into approximately ¼” cubes.
Toss the tomatoes with ½ teaspoon kosher salt and place them in a colander to drain while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
Small dice the cucumbers into approximately ¼” cubes, similar to the tomatoes.
Add the cucumbers, onion, fresh herbs, lime juice and olive oil to a large bowl. Add the drained tomatoes and toss to combine.
Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
For best results, refrigerate for 15-30 minutes before serving.

Notes

Storage: Keep any leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Just keep in mind that the veggies will soften as they sit in the dressing, possibly making the leftovers soggy.

Dried Mint: Traditionally dried mint is used, however, I normally have fresh herbs on hand. If you would like to use dried mint, swap out the fresh mint for 1 teaspoon dried mint.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Equipment

Large Bowl

Knife

Nutrition

What to Serve with Falafel (25+ BEST Side Dishes)