Lentil Mujadara Rice
A comforting, fragrant Middle Eastern staple featuring perfectly cooked lentils and rice topped with crispy, golden-brown caramelized onions.
Ingredients
- •1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed
- •1 cup basmati rice, rinsed and drained
- •3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- •1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- •1 teaspoon ground cumin
- •1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- •1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- •3 cups vegetable broth or water
- •1 teaspoon kosher salt
- •1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- 1
Place the lentils in a medium pot with 2 cups of water, bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes until tender but still firm; drain and set aside.
- 2
While the lentils cook, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and fry the sliced onions, stirring frequently for 10-15 minutes until they are deep golden brown and crispy; remove half of the onions with a slotted spoon and set aside for garnish.
- 3
Add the rinsed rice, cumin, cinnamon, and allspice to the skillet with the remaining onions and oil, stirring for 2 minutes to toast the rice slightly.
- 4
Add the cooked lentils, vegetable broth, salt, and pepper to the skillet, stir once, and bring to a boil.
- 5
Reduce heat to low, cover tightly with a lid, and simmer for 15-18 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
- 6
Remove from heat and let the pot sit covered for 10 minutes to steam, then fluff with a fork and top with the reserved crispy onions before serving.
💡 Chef tips
- For the best texture, ensure you do not overcook the lentils during the initial boil, as they will continue to cook with the rice.
- If you want extra depth of flavor, use a high-quality vegetable stock instead of water.
- Mujadara is excellent when served at room temperature or warm, accompanied by a side of plain yogurt or a fresh cucumber-tomato salad.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished dish should have fluffy, aromatic grains of rice and tender lentils, topped with intensely sweet and savory crispy onions that provide a delightful crunch.