Uncover the genuine flavors of Lebanese Mujadara, a scrumptious and hearty dish made with rice, brown lentils, and crispy caramelized onions. This easy-to-make, plant-based recipe is an ideal vegetarian possibility for lunch, dinner, or meal prep. Mujadara is full of vitamins and luxury, making it a healthful selection for any event. The mixture of cumin and onions provides it a wealthy, savory taste that’s certain to fulfill. Serve it heat with cucumber yogurt sauce for an additional burst of freshness.

Elements
- 1 cup lengthy grain or basmati white rice, rinsed
- 4 ½ cups water, plus further for soaking the rice
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 giant yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cups brown lentils, rinsed and drained
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons cumin
Directions
- Soak the Rice: In a medium bowl, cowl the rice with chilly water and put aside to soak.
- Caramelize the Onions: Line a plate with paper towels. Warmth olive oil in a big pot over excessive warmth. Add the sliced onions and cook dinner, stirring incessantly, till they flip deeply browned and start to crisp across the edges, about 20 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to switch the onions to the ready plate and put aside. The onions will proceed to crisp as they cool. Reserve the oil used for cooking the onions.
- Cook dinner the Lentils: In a separate pot, add the lentils and sufficient water to cowl them. Carry to a boil, then scale back the warmth to medium-low, cowl, and simmer for quarter-hour.
- Cook dinner the Rice: Drain the soaked rice, rinse it totally, and add it to the pot with the cooked lentils together with the salt. Stir as soon as, cowl tightly, and cook dinner for a further quarter-hour.
- End the Mujadara: Take away the pot from the warmth and let it relaxation, nonetheless coated, for five minutes. Add the cumin, fluff the rice and lentils with a fork to mix evenly.
- Serve: Pour the reserved oil over the mujadara and prime with the crispy onions. Serve heat, optionally with cucumber yogurt sauce.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy & Flavorful: Mujadara is a healthful and hearty dish made with just some substances, but full of scrumptious flavors from the caramelized onions and heat spices.
- Plant-Primarily based Consolation: A satisfying vegetarian dish that’s good for any meal, particularly when paired with a lightweight cucumber yogurt sauce.
- Simple to Put together: With fundamental cooking strategies and minimal substances, this recipe is right for each learners and skilled cooks.


Ideas
- Soak the Rice: Soaking the rice helps it cook dinner evenly and ends in a softer texture.
- Caramelizing the Onions: Be affected person whereas cooking the onions—they need to flip deeply browned and crispy for the perfect taste and texture.
- Resting the Mujadara: Letting the mujadara sit coated for a couple of minutes after cooking helps the flavors to meld collectively.
Variations and Substitutions
- Rice: Swap lengthy grain or basmati rice with brown rice for a nuttier taste and extra fiber.
- Spices: Add a pinch of cinnamon or allspice for a special taste profile.
- Onions: Use crimson onions for a milder, barely candy style.
- Lentils: Whereas brown lentils are conventional, you may substitute with inexperienced lentils and even crimson lentils (word that crimson lentils cook dinner quicker).
FAQs
Can I make Mujadara upfront?
Sure, Mujadara could be made forward of time and saved within the fridge for as much as 3 days. The flavors even enhance after sitting for some time!
Can I freeze Mujadara?
Sure, Mujadara freezes effectively. Enable it to chill fully, then switch it to an hermetic container. It can maintain within the freezer for as much as 2 months. Thaw earlier than reheating.
Can I make this dish with out oil?
Whereas olive oil provides richness and taste, you may scale back the quantity of oil or use a plant-based oil various if desired.
Serving Ideas
- Pairing: Serve with a aspect of recent greens or a lightweight cucumber yogurt sauce to stability the flavors.
- Accompaniments: This dish pairs splendidly with pita bread or a tangy salad to create a whole meal.
- Events: Excellent for a weeknight dinner, lunch, or as half of a bigger Center Jap unfold.
Get pleasure from this satisfying and healthful Lebanese Mujadara, a dish that mixes easy substances right into a flavorful and comforting meal.


Lebanese Mujadara Recipe
Elements
-
1 cup lengthy grain or basmati white rice, rinsed
-
4 ½ cups water, plus further for soaking the rice
-
½ cup olive oil
-
2 giant yellow onions, thinly sliced
-
2 cups brown lentils, rinsed and drained
-
1 teaspoon salt
-
2 teaspoons cumin
Instructions
- Soak the Rice: In a medium bowl, cowl the rice with chilly water and put aside to soak.
- Caramelize the Onions: Line a plate with paper towels. Warmth olive oil in a big pot over excessive warmth. Add the sliced onions and cook dinner, stirring incessantly, till they flip deeply browned and start to crisp across the edges, about 20 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to switch the onions to the ready plate and put aside. The onions will proceed to crisp as they cool. Reserve the oil used for cooking the onions.
- Cook dinner the Lentils: In a separate pot, add the lentils and sufficient water to cowl them. Carry to a boil, then scale back the warmth to medium-low, cowl, and simmer for quarter-hour.
- Cook dinner the Rice: Drain the soaked rice, rinse it totally, and add it to the pot with the cooked lentils together with the salt. Stir as soon as, cowl tightly, and cook dinner for a further quarter-hour.
- End the Mujadara: Take away the pot from the warmth and let it relaxation, nonetheless coated, for five minutes. Add the cumin, fluff the rice and lentils with a fork to mix evenly.
- Serve: Pour the reserved oil over the mujadara and prime with the crispy onions. Serve heat, optionally with cucumber yogurt sauce.

