Lebanese Mujadara Recipe
Lebanese Mujadara is a hearty and comforting dish made with tender lentils, fluffy rice, and crispy caramelized onions, all infused with warm cumin spices. This traditional Middle Eastern recipe is simple to prepare on the stovetop and offers a delicious, nutritious vegetarian meal perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Lebanese
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Rice and Lentils
- 1 cup long grain or basmati white rice, rinsed
- 2 cups brown lentils, rinsed and drained
- 4 ½ cups water (plus more for soaking the rice)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons cumin
Onions and Oil
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Soak the Rice: Place the rinsed rice in a medium bowl and cover it with cold water. Set aside to soak, which helps the rice cook evenly and improves texture.
- Caramelize the Onions: Line a plate with two paper towels. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over high heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and stir constantly until they are deeply browned and start to crisp around the edges, about 20 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the onions to the prepared plate and let them continue to crisp as they cool. Reserve the cooking oil in the pot.
- Cook the Lentils: In a separate pot, add the lentils and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover tightly, and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add Rice and Salt: Drain and rinse the soaked rice, then add it to the lentils along with the salt. Stir once gently, cover again with a tight-fitting lid, and cook undisturbed for another 15 minutes to finish cooking the rice and lentils together.
- Rest and Season: Remove the pot from heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Then, sprinkle the cumin over the mixture and fluff the rice and lentils together with a fork to combine all flavors evenly.
- Serve: Drizzle the reserved flavored olive oil on top of the mujadara, then spoon the crispy caramelized onions over it. Serve warm, optionally accompanied by cucumber yogurt sauce for a refreshing contrast.
Notes
- For a more aromatic flavor, you can toast the cumin lightly before adding it to the dish.
- Soaking the rice is optional but recommended for best texture.
- If you prefer a vegan option, serve without yogurt sauce or choose a dairy-free yogurt.
- The crispy onions can be made ahead and refrigerated for convenience.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with a fresh salad or steamed vegetables.
Keywords: Mujadara, Lebanese lentils and rice, caramelized onions, vegetarian Middle Eastern recipe, healthy legume dish
Find it online: https://dylangranv.com/lebanese-mujadara-recipe-2/
