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mujadara on a plate Lebanese lentil rice with some yogurt.
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4.79 from 65 votes

Mujadara Lebanese Lentils and Rice with Crispy Onions

Mujadara is a delightful fusion of simple ingredients and bold flavors. This Lebanese lentils and rice recipe calls for only a few ingredients and is very easy to make.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean, middle eastern
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

Crispy Onions

  • 5 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 onions thinly sliced

Mujadara

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 onions chopped
  • cups lentils
  • cups long grain rice
  • teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 4 cups water
  • teaspoons salt

Instructions

Crispy Onions

  • Heat the oil in a pan over medium high heat. Slice the onions thinly and set them aside.
  • Fry the onions until golden and crispy. Take them out of the oil and place on a cooling rack for the excess oil to drip.

Mujadara

  • Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion until golden.
  • Add in lentils, give a nice stir, and cook for two to three minutes. 
  • Add rice, cumin, and cinnamon to the lentils. Stir well so everything is completely combined.
  • Pour water into the pot with salt, bring to a simmer, cover and let it cook for about 30-40 minutes until the lentil and rice is completely cooked. 
  • Once the mujadara is completely cooked, let it sit for a few minutes. Mix the lentils and rice with caramelized onion and serve.

Video

Notes

  • Use Long-Grain Rice: Long-grain rice is ideal for Mujadara as it keeps the dish light and fluffy, with each grain of rice remaining separate. Avoid short-grain rice, which can become sticky.
  • Wash Rice: Wash the rice thoroughly before cooking to remove excess starch. This helps achieve separate, fluffy grains instead of a sticky mixture.
  • Adjust Water: Depending on the brand and type of rice and lentils you use, you may need to adjust the water. Keep an eye on the pot and add a little more water if needed to ensure everything cooks evenly.
  • Use a Heavy-Bottomed Pot: To prevent the lentils and rice from sticking or burning, use a heavy-bottomed pot to ensure even cooking. This will help distribute the heat more effectively.

Nutrition

Calories: 761kcal | Carbohydrates: 107g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 897mg | Potassium: 901mg | Fiber: 25g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 28IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 7mg