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Authentic Lebanese Mujadara

Authentic Lebanese Mujadara: Comfort in Every Bite

Authentic Lebanese Mujadara is a vegetarian and gluten-free delight, combining lentils and rice for a comforting meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: Lebanese
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Base
  • 1 cup brown lentils
  • 1 cup long-grain rice (Basmati or Jasmine)
For the Caramelization
  • 2 large onions sliced
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
For Seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin optional but recommended
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon optional but recommended
  • salt to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
For Cooking Liquid
  • 4 cups water or vegetable broth
For Garnish and Serving
  • fresh parsley or cilantro optional
  • lemon wedges for serving

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • medium saucepan
  • heavy-bottom saucepan or Dutch oven

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add the sliced large onions. Cook for 20-25 minutes until they turn golden brown and caramelized, reserving half for topping.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of brown lentils with 4 cups of water or vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered for about 15 minutes. Drain excess liquid if needed.
  3. Add 1 cup of rinsed long-grain rice, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, and ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the lentils. Season with salt and pepper. Stir, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
  4. Fluff the rice and lentils gently with a fork. Mix in the reserved caramelized onions and drizzle with the remaining olive oil.
  5. Transfer to a serving dish, top with caramelized onions, and garnish with parsley or cilantro. Serve with lemon wedges.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 12gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 5mgPotassium: 700mgFiber: 15gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 100IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 4mg

Notes

For best results, slice onions thinly for even caramelization. Stir occasionally to prevent burning. A heavy-bottom saucepan is recommended for even cooking.

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