Mushroom Falafel Gyro and Lemony Green Beans

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Total: 1 hr
  • Active: 45 min
You won't miss the meat in this gyro-falafel mashup! Falafel is a Middle Eastern specialty made from ground chickpeas. This recipe adds mushrooms to give the falafel a meatier texture reminiscent of Greek gyros. It's served in a pita with tangy cucumber-yogurt sauce to add brightness.
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Ingredients

Mushroom Falafel:

1 pound mixed mushrooms (such as portobello, stemmed shiitake, white button)

1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for sautéing, brushing and drizzling

1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves

One 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained

1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1 teaspoon ground cumin 

1/2 teaspoon cayenne

1 large clove garlic, smashed

1 large egg

Kosher salt

4 pita rounds

1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half

Lemony Green Beans:

1 teaspoon chopped fresh tarragon

Zest of 1 lemon

Kosher salt

1/2 pound green beans, trimmed

1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil 

Cucumber Yogurt Sauce:

1/2 seedless cucumber, grated (about 1/2 cup)

1/3 cup plain whole-milk yogurt

1/3 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon ground cumin

Pinch kosher salt

1 clove garlic, grated

Directions

  1. For the mushroom falafel: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
  2. Cut the mushrooms into large chunks and spread on a large, rimmed sheet tray. Toss with the olive oil and thyme. Roast, stirring halfway through, until golden brown and a majority of the liquid is evaporated, 15 to 20 minutes. Allow to cool slightly.
  3. To the bowl of a food processor, add the chickpeas, panko, parsley, cumin, cayenne, garlic, egg, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the cooled roasted mushrooms. Pulse until finely chopped but not pureed (about 10 pulses), scraping down the sides of the food processor as necessary. Scoop 1/4-cup portions of the mushroom mixture and shape into 1/2-inch-thick patties.
  4. Heat a thin layer of olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the patties and cook, turning once, until evenly browned, 3 minutes per side. Season with salt to taste.
  5. For the lemony green beans: To a small bowl, add the tarragon, lemon zest and 1 tablespoon salt. Mix to combine, then set aside.
  6. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil and generously season with salt. Fill a large bowl with ice and cold water. Add the green beans to the boiling water and cook until crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain, then immediately transfer the green beans to the ice water. When cool, drain well and slice into 1/4-inch-thick pieces.
  7. Add the green beans to a bowl, toss with the olive oil and season to taste with the seasoned lemon salt; toss to coat. There will be leftover lemon salt.
  8. For the cucumber yogurt sauce: Stir together the cucumber, yogurt, sour cream, cumin, salt and garlic in a medium bowl.
  9. To assemble: Brush the pita with olive oil. Toast over an open flame or in a pan set over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, 1 minute. Toss the cut tomatoes with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Cut each pita in half, then stuff with the cucumber yogurt, 2 falafels, more cucumber yogurt, the lemony green beans and cherry tomatoes. Serve with more cucumber yogurt on the side if desired.

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Brenda K.

I’ve had falafel lots of times but this has to be one of the best tasting I’ve ever had. I have to now double the recipe. The kids and I devour these. Thank you Carla!!!

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