• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Unicorns in the Kitchen

Easy family approved recipes from our Kitchen to yours. Persian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean recipes made easy with fresh ingredients and step-by-step instructions.

  • Recipe Index
  • Mediterranean Recipes
  • The Mediterranean Weeknight Dinners eCookbook
  • About
    • Work with Us
    • Contact
  • Recipe Index
  • Mediterranean Recipes
  • The Mediterranean Weeknight Dinners eCookbook
  • About
    • Work with Us
    • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Mediterranean Recipes
  • The Mediterranean Weeknight Dinners eCookbook
  • About
    • Work with Us
    • Contact
  • ×

    Home » Mediterranean recipes

    Easy Lebanese Rice with Vermicelli

    Published: Apr 19, 2019 · Modified: Nov 28, 2022 by Shadi HasanzadeNemati · This post may contain affiliate links .

    707 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Lebanese rice with vermicelli is a classic Middle Eastern side dish made with only three ingredients. This is a simple and easy recipe that goes well with many dishes!

    Lebanese rice with vermicelli is a delicious Middle Eastern side dish. It's made with only three ingredients and makes the perfect side dish for any main dish. 

    We have many easy rice recipes for you to enjoy and this Lebanese vermicelli rice is definitely one of our top favorites. Just like mujadara (lentil rice) and Turkish rice pilaf with orzo, this is a vegetarian rice recipe (with a vegan option) that's packed with amazing flavors and is so easy to make!

    Table Of Contents:
    • What is Lebanese rice?
    • Ingredients notes
    • How to make Lebanese rice
    • Tips to make the best Lebanese rice
    • Serving suggestion
    • Storage and freezing
    • Frequently asked questions
    • More delicious rice recipes
    • Step-by-Step Recipe

    What is Lebanese rice?

    Lebanese rice , also known as Arabic rice or Middle Eastern rice is a staple side dish of the region which is very simple to make and has a nutty flavor that pairs well with almost any main dish.

    This recipe is made with only 3 ingredients and the only seasoning is salt. Sometimes, vermicelli rice is topped with toasted pine nuts or almond slivers for a bit of a nutty flavor.

    Ingredients notes

    you need ghee, vermicelli, rice and water to make this dish.
    • Rice: Long grain rice such as basmati works best for this recipe. It's important to rinse the rice a few times to remove the excess starch.
    • Vermicelli: Short broken thin pasta that's the star of this dish. You can find vermicelli in many Middle Eastern or Mediterranean shops as well as online.
    • Fat: You can use butter, ghee or olive oil for this recipe. I used ghee since I love the flavor, but if you're looking for the dish to be vegan, then you can use olive oil.

    How to make Lebanese rice

    1. Prepare the rice: Rinse the rice a few times until the water runs clear. Then soak it in cold water for 20 to 30 minutes. This will speed up the cooking process and will also prevent the rice from becoming sticky. 
    2. Melt the ghee or butter in a pot over medium heat and toast the vermicelli until brown but not burnt, stirring constantly. This will take about 5 minutes. Drain the rice and add it to the vermicelli with salt and cook for two minutes.
    3. Pour in the water and bring it to simmer. Simmer on medium low until the water is almost gone. 
    4. Place a lid on the pot and let it cook on low for another 10 minutes. Turn the heat off and let the rice and vermicelli sit for 10 minutes. Fluff the rice using a fork and top with toasted pine nuts and parsley. 
    saute the vermicelli mix with rice add water and cook.

    Tips to make the best Lebanese rice

    • Soak the rice: Vermicelli rice is supposed to be fluffy and not sticky at all. To have such rice, we need to remove all the excess starch from the rice by soaking it in cold water.
    • Stir frequently: To make sure that the vermicelli is toasted and browned evenly, stir it frequently.
    • Fluff the rice: Once the rice is cooked completely, fluff it with a fork for a nice texture.

    Serving suggestion

    Rice pilaf with vermicelli is a tasty side dish for Middle Eastern dishes. Here are a few suggestions:

    • Beef and lamb: kofta kebab, braised lamb shanks, ground beef stew, Greek meatballs, beef shish kabob or even doner kebab.
    • Chicken: shish tawook, chicken stew, grilled chicken kabobs, grilled zaatar chicken or chicken shawarma.
    Lebanese pilaf made with rice served on a plate with a spoon and topped with pine nut and parsley.

    Storage and freezing

    Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. You can either use a microwave to reheat the leftovers or place them in a saucepan with 1 tablespoon water over medium heat for about 15 minutes.

    To freeze Lebanese rice, let it cool completely then transfer it in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat.

    Frequently asked questions

    How can I make this dish vegan?

    Use olive oil instead of ghee or butter to make vegan Lebanese rice.

    What can I use instead of vermicelli?

    Vermicelli is a one of kind pasta and there isn't much of a substitute out there for it. You can probably use very thin spaghetti and break it into smaller pieces, but it won't be exactly the same.

    Can I use short grain rice for this recipe?

    This rice is typically made with long grain rice and short grain rice won't give the same results.

    What can I use instead of pine nuts?

    You can toast slivered almonds or simply leave it out.

    Lebanese rice and vermicelli on a white plate.

    More delicious rice recipes

    • Persian Rice and Tahdig - A Step-by-Step Guide
    • Greek Lemon Rice Recipe
    • Sabzi Polo (Persian Herb Rice)
    • Spanakorizo Greek Spinach Rice

    Did you make this recipe? I'd love to hear about it! Please comment and leave a 5-star🌟 rating below. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or subscribe to our newsletter to get a free e-Cookbook!

    Step-by-Step Recipe

    Easy Lebanese Rice and Vermicelli

    Shadi HasanzadeNemati
    Lebanese rice with vermicelli is a classic Middle Eastern side dish made with only three ingredients. This is a simple and easy recipe that goes well with many dishes!
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 40 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine Lebanese, middle eastern
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 427 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ cup basmati rice
    • 2 tablespoon ghee or clarified butter see notes
    • ½ cup vermicelli
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 3 cups water

    To top:

    • toasted pine nuts
    • chopped fresh parsley

    Instructions
     

    • Rinse the rice a few times until the water runs clear. Then soak it in cold water for 30 minutes.
    • Heat the ghee in a pot and toast the vermicelli until it's brown, stirring occasionally. This would take about 5 minutes. Discard the water and add the rice to the vermicelli. Cook for 2-3 minutes. 
    • Add the salt and 3 cups of water. Bring the rice to simmer. Let it simmer over medium heat until most of the water is evaporated. Then cover and turn the heat to low. Cook for another 10 minutes. 
    • Turn the heat off and let it sit covered for 10 more minutes. 
    • Fluff the rice and serve with your favorite main dish. 

    Notes

    • You can use olive oil instead of ghee or butter to make this dish vegan. 
    • To make toasted pine nuts, heat a small pan over medium heat. Add the pine nuts and stir frequently for 2-4 minutes until golden on all sides. 
    • Store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave on in a saucepan with 1 tablespoon water over medium heat. 
    • Serve Lebanese rice with braised lamb shanks, kofta kebab, shish tawook or zaatar chicken.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 427kcalCarbohydrates: 80gProtein: 6gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 648mgPotassium: 89mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.1gCalcium: 30mgIron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe? Let us know how it was by leaving a comment and a 5-star review!
    « The Best Iftar Recipes You Must Try
    Turkey Meatball Curry (Indian Style) »
    707 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Zinat Bhanji

      July 05, 2022 at 4:46 am

      Would you be kind enough to put a picture of the vermicelli you used. Never used before so it helps to buy the right one. Thx

      Reply
      • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

        July 05, 2022 at 9:22 am

        Here is a photo. You can buy any brand that's available :)

        Reply
    2. Gabby

      June 28, 2022 at 3:55 am

      Quick question: The photo shows the vermicelli broken into pieces, but I don't see that in the instructions. Will you clarify for me? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

        June 28, 2022 at 10:59 am

        The vermicelli noodles are pre-broken 🙂 These are different from Asian vermicelli, they're yellow and are usually sold in Middle Eastern/Mediterranean stores.

        Reply
    3. Sheila

      May 24, 2022 at 6:08 am

      Does it have to be Basmati rice, or can long grain be used instead?

      Reply
      • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

        May 24, 2022 at 3:47 pm

        You can use long grain

        Reply
    4. Mike

      April 17, 2022 at 8:10 am

      Note to users:

      If you happen to use the multiplier function, while the amounts in the ingredients are adjusted the number of cups of water in the instructions are not.

      Reply
    5. Natalie

      December 02, 2021 at 6:57 am

      5 stars
      That looks and sounds so exotic and delicious. I just saved the recipe. I'm going to make this for dinner tomorrow. Can't wait.

      Reply
    6. Angela

      December 02, 2021 at 6:04 am

      5 stars
      Oh my goodness! This is so good and so easy to make. My new favorite rice dish for sure. Thanks so much for sharing!

      Reply
    7. Tavo

      December 02, 2021 at 5:43 am

      5 stars
      One of my favorite Lebanese recipes! I made it today and it was delicious and super easy to make. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    8. Valerie

      December 02, 2021 at 5:08 am

      5 stars
      I love rice, it's one of my favorite sites. I love how easy this is to make, and I know I always have these three ingredients on hand.

      Reply
    9. Danielle Wolter

      December 02, 2021 at 4:39 am

      5 stars
      Love this recipe! It's a great way for me to use my homemade ghee and the flavors are so delicious!

      Reply
    10. Pamela

      July 21, 2021 at 3:45 pm

      What are some potential Lebanese spices that I could add to this recipe? Also, whenever I make rice (I don't use a rice machine; I just simmer it on top of the stove in a pot), it has a tendency to come out mushy. I am going to try your suggestion and soak it for 30 minutes first and see if this produces a dryer rice with the grains separated instead of one big mush ball. Thank you!

      Reply
    11. Thomas Felice

      July 06, 2021 at 1:14 am

      Is it traditional to add raisins or cut-up pieces of apricot to Lebenese rice? Love it that way.

      Reply
      • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

        February 07, 2022 at 9:31 am

        It's not traditional to add dried fruit to Lebanese rice with vermicelli, but it sure can be delicious!

        Reply
    12. Eleanor Stinson

      July 27, 2020 at 3:45 pm

      Do you cook the vermicelli first or fry it in the ghee/oil from dry? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

        July 30, 2020 at 1:41 pm

        Fry it from dry 🙂

        Reply
        • Eleanor Stinson

          July 30, 2020 at 3:18 pm

          Thanks so much

    13. Melissa

      April 19, 2019 at 7:46 am

      5 stars
      My favorite rice! I've never actually made it myself though.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to Unicorns in the Kitchen, where we share delicious recipes from our kitchen to yours. You’re in for a delicious adventure and collection of unique and tasty recipes.

    Read more...

    Readers Favorites!

    • Turkish Bulgur Pilaf Recipe
    • Easy Lavash Bread Recipe
    • Kashke Bademjan (Persian Eggplant Dip)
    • Greek Eggplant Moussaka Recipe

    Latest Recipes

    • Our best chickpea recipes.
      Our Best Chickpea Recipes
    • Harissa is a classic Tunisian paste that's very spicy.
      Homemade Harissa Recipe
    • summer berry crisp in a skillet.
      Summer Berry Crisp Recipe
    • Pasta recipes
      Our Best Pasta Recipes

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Services
    • About US

    All images and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images or recipes without prior permission. Read about privacy policy and copyright Here. Our site contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting.

    Copyright 2019, All rights reserved.
    Read about privacy policy and copyright Here.