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Mujadara topped with crispy onions on a large platter.
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4.98 from 1950 reviews

Lebanese Mujadara

Mujadara is a Middle Eastern lentils and rice recipe with crispy caramelized onions. Just 7 ingredients make a easy vegan, protein-rich meal!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Entree
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 8 servings
Author: Yumna Jawad

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 cup long grain or basmati white rice rinsed
  • 4 ½ cups water plus more for soaking the rice
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 2 large yellow onions thinly sliced
  • 2 cups brown lentils rinsed and drained
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons cumin

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, cover the rice with cold water. Set aside.
  • Line a plate with two paper towels. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring constantly, until the onions are deeply browned and start to crisp around the edges, about 20 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to the plate and set aside. They will continue to crisp as they cool. Reserve the oil from cooking the onions.
  • Add the lentils to another pot, add water and stir to combine. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Cook for 15 minutes.
  • Drain the soaked rice, rinse and transfer it to the pot with the lentils along with the salt. Stir once, then cover again with a tight-fitting lid and cook undisturbed for 15 minutes.
  • Remove the pot from the heat. Rest, covered, for 5 minutes longer. Add the cumin and fluff the rice and lentils with a fork to combine.
  • Pour the reserved oil on top of the mujadara. Then spoon the crispy onions on top. Serve warm, with cucumber yogurt sauce if desired.

Video

Notes

Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container. They will last about 4-5 days in the fridge.
Freezing Instructions: You can freeze the mujadara for up to 3 months. To re-heat, thaw in the fridge overnight and microwave until heated through.
Make Ahead Tips: You can chop the onions in advance up to a day before and even caramelize the sliced onions beforehand in order to reduce the prep time.
Sourcing: You can find the brown and green lentils at Middle Eastern markets, natural-foods stores or even in large supermarkets, often located with other Middle Eastern ingredients.
Substitutes: For best results, follow the recipe as is. However here are some common substitutes that would work well in this recipe.
  • Instead of brown lentils, you can use green lentils.
  • Instead of white rice, you can use brown rice or bulgur/cracked wheat.

Nutrition

Calories: 386kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 534mg | Fiber: 15g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 26IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 4mg

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