I have been introduced to Mujadara for the first time through a Lebanese friend, and I found it SO SO tasty. Since then, I have kept making it from time to time when I crave something meatless.
It is an easy-to-make vegan dish made with rice and lentils and topped with caramelized onions.
Mujadara Recipe
This Lebanese dish is SUPER simple, flavorful and made in one pot with just a handful of ingredients.
In my opinion, what makes this tried and tested mujadara recipe so good and tasty is seasoning it with cumin and caramelized onions on top.
I like to serve it with Haydari (Turkish Yogurt Dipping Sauce), Sriracha Carrot Hummus or Egyptian Tahini Sauce.
You'll Need
Lentils. I used brown lentils, green lentils also work fine in this recipe.
Rice. I find that white rice is a better choice compared to brown rice in this recipe. I used jasmine rice. Also, basmati rice works well in this recipe. Just avoid short-grain rice; it badly affects the texture of this dish.
Ground cumin and salt. They add dashes of flavour to the recipe.
Olive oil. Caramelizing onions in olive oil give rise to an exciting blend of flavour. According to the Arab mother, when it comes to cooking, it is all in the olive oil. And definitely, using high-quality olive oil will take this recipe to the next level.
Onions. I made this recipe many times, and I found that the more onions in the recipe, the better it tastes. For that reason, in addition to adding diced onion to the rice and lentils, I also topped it with caramelized sliced onions.
How To Make Mujadara?
One: Rinse both lentils and rice separately. Make sure to rinse them well.
Two: Put the lentils in a large pot with 5-6 cups of water and bring them to a boil. Simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes or until the lentils are not fully cooked, then drain.
Three: Now, add the chopped onions to a large pot, add half of the oil and saute over medium heat until softened (for 1-2 minutes).
Four: Add the rice and lentil to the onions in the pot and season with salt and cumin.
Five: Add the water, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 18-20 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and set aside, covered.
Six: In a skillet, heat the remaining oil on medium heat and add the sliced onions; fry for 10-13 minutes or until golden brown and caramelized.
Pro Tip: Be aware that the process of caramelizing the onion is a little bit long; it may take more than 15-20 minutes.
Pro Tip: If you prefer softer caramelized onions, saute the onions on medium-high flame for 10 minutes, and then reduce it to a medium-low flame.
Seven: Top the your lentils and rice dish with the caramelized onions and serve.
Pro Tips
- The most common way in which people make the flavour of mujadara vary is by changing the ratio of rice to lentils.
- Avoid red lentils. Their softer texture will cause the mujadara to become mushy.
- Another traditional way of making this dish is using bulgur instead of rice.
More Vegetarian Rice Recipes
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Recipe Card
Mujadara Recipe - Lebanese Lentils and Rice
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups brown lentils
- ½ cup jasmine rice , or any long grain rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoon olive oil , divided
- 4 onions , 3 chopped, and 1 sliced
Instructions
- Rinse both lentils and rice separately and rinse well. Also, chop3 onions and slice one.1 ½ cups brown lentils, ½ cup jasmine rice
- Put the lentils in a large pot with 5-6 cups of water and bring to a boil, simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes or until the lentils ( not fully cooked), then drain.2 cups water
- Now, add the chopped onion to a large pot, add half of the oil and saute over medium heat until softened (for 1-2 minutes).4 onions, 4 tablespoon olive oil
- Add the rice to the onion in the pot and season with salt and cumin.1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon salt
- Add the lentil and water, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 18-20 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and set aside covered.
- In a skillet, heat the remaining oil on medium heat and add the sliced onions; fry for 10-13 minutes or until golden brown and caramelized.
- Top mujadara with the caramelized onions and serve.
Notes
- If you prefer softer caramelized onions, saute the onions on medium-high flame for 10 minutes, and then reduce it to a medium-low flame.
- Be aware that the process of caramelizing the onion is a little bit long; it may take more than 15-20 minutes.
Carol says
delicious Lebanese food! Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Kate says
Easy to make recipe. I like it. Thanks!
Patric says
Delicious, especially with hot sauce.