Falafel Burgers with Avocado Salsa
Equipment
- blender or food processor
- Frying pan
- Knife
Ingredients
- 1 avocado peeled, stoned and diced
- 400 g chickpeas canned, rinsed and drained
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves chopped
- ½ teaspoon harissa paste
- 1 lime zest and juice divided
- Handful parsley
- ½ small red onion diced
- 2 tablespoons rice flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 spring onions chopped
- 2 tablespoons sunflower oil
- 4 ripe tomatoes diced
- Watercress to serve
Instructions
- Place the chickpeas, spring onions, garlic, parsley, cumin, coriander, harissa, half of the lime zest and juice and the rice flour in a blender or food processor.
- Season with salt and pepper and process until fairly smooth.
- Shape the mixture into 4 equal patties and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine the tomatoes, avocado, red onion, extra virgin olive oil and remaining lime zest and juice to make the salsa.
- Heat the sunflower oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
- Cook the falafel burgers for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until lightly golden and heated through.
- Serve the burgers with watercress and the avocado salsa.
Notes & Wine Advice
Serving Suggestions
Serve the falafel burgers hot with the avocado and tomato salsa and a handful of fresh watercress. They make a satisfying Burgers meal without needing a bread bun. For a larger meal, serve them alongside a fresh Salad or roasted vegetables.Recipe Notes
Process the chickpea mixture until fairly smooth but avoid turning it into a completely smooth purée. Chilling the shaped burgers for 20 minutes helps them firm up and makes them easier to cook without breaking apart. Use gluten-free rice flour as specified in the recipe if preparing the burgers for someone following a gluten-free diet.Variation
For the avocado with hummus variation, process a rinsed and drained 400 g can of chickpeas with 2 garlic cloves. Add 2 tablespoons tahini and the juice of 1 lime, then process until smooth while gradually adding 100 ml olive oil. Add a little water if needed. Serve with 2 sliced avocados, lemon juice and black pepper. This variation contains approximately 468 calories per serving.Storage Advice
The uncooked falafel mixture can be shaped into patties and refrigerated in an airtight container until needed. Cooked burgers can be refrigerated and reheated thoroughly before serving. Prepare the avocado salsa as close to serving time as possible because avocado gradually discolours after cutting.Wine Advice
A fresh Sauvignon Blanc works well with the lime, parsley, tomato and avocado. A dry Riesling is another good choice, particularly with the cumin, coriander and spicy harissa.Nutrition values
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About Falafel Burgers with Avocado Salsa
Falafel Burgers with Avocado Salsa turn the familiar flavours of falafel into substantial Burgers. Chickpeas form the base of the patties, while cumin, coriander, garlic, parsley, harissa and lime provide plenty of flavour. Instead of a traditional burger topping, they are served with a fresh salsa of avocado, tomato and red onion.
Making the Falafel Mixture
Canned chickpeas make this recipe particularly straightforward because they only need to be rinsed and drained before use. They are processed with spring onions, garlic, parsley, cumin, coriander, harissa, lime and rice flour until the mixture is fairly smooth.
The rice flour helps bind the mixture and contributes to the recipe’s gluten-free character. Season the mixture before shaping so the salt and pepper are distributed throughout the patties.
Shaping and Chilling the Burgers
Divide the mixture into four equal portions and shape each one into a burger. Chilling them for 20 minutes is a useful step because it allows the patties to firm before they reach the frying pan.
Handle the burgers carefully when transferring and turning them. Unlike meat burgers, chickpea patties do not have the same natural structure, so gentle handling helps them remain intact.
Fresh Avocado Salsa
The salsa provides a cool and fresh contrast to the warm falafel. Ripe tomatoes, avocado and red onion are combined with extra virgin olive oil and lime. The acidity of the lime balances the richness of the avocado while complementing the lime already used in the burgers.
Prepare the salsa while the falafel patties are chilling. Avocado is best cut reasonably close to serving time, as its exposed flesh will gradually darken.
Cooking the Falafel Burgers
Heat the sunflower oil in a frying pan and cook the patties for approximately 3 to 4 minutes on each side. The exterior should become lightly golden while the centre heats through.
Keep the heat moderate rather than excessively high. This gives the burgers enough time to warm through without allowing the outside to become too dark.
A Vegetarian Main Course
Chickpeas make these burgers substantial enough to serve as a Main Course. The combination of legumes, avocado and vegetables provides several different textures in a dish that contains no meat or dairy products.
The recipe is also suitable for a Lunch. Serve one burger per person with plenty of salsa and watercress, adding a salad or vegetable side when a larger meal is wanted.
Middle Eastern Inspiration
Falafel is strongly associated with Middle Eastern cooking, and the chickpeas, cumin, coriander, parsley and garlic in these burgers retain that familiar flavour profile. Harissa adds extra warmth, while lime gives this version a fresher citrus character.
The avocado and tomato salsa moves the recipe away from traditional falafel accompaniments, creating a colourful fusion-style dish while keeping chickpeas at its centre.
Avocado with Hummus Variation
The original recipe also includes an alternative based on hummus and avocado. Chickpeas and garlic are processed with tahini and lime juice before olive oil is gradually incorporated to create a smooth hummus.
Thickly sliced avocado is served alongside the hummus with lemon juice and pepper. Because this variation contains tahini made from sesame seeds, its allergen profile differs from that of the main falafel burger recipe.
Storing and Reheating
The falafel patties can be prepared in advance and kept refrigerated until cooking. Leftover cooked patties should be cooled promptly, transferred to an airtight container and refrigerated.
Reheat the burgers thoroughly before serving. The avocado salsa is better prepared fresh rather than stored for long periods because both the avocado and tomatoes deteriorate in texture after cutting.
Food Safety
Wash fresh vegetables and herbs thoroughly before preparing the salsa and falafel mixture. Refrigerate prepared ingredients promptly and keep the avocado salsa chilled when it is not being served. For current guidance on preparing and storing food safely, consult the U.S. Food and Drug Administration food-safety information.
Falafel Burgers with Avocado Salsa combine the earthy flavour of chickpeas with aromatic spices and a fresh vegetable topping. They are an easy way to turn classic falafel ingredients into a colourful Vegetarian meal suitable for lunch or dinner.