Main CourseLunchDinner

Mujadara (Lentils and Rice with Caramelized Onions)

Name: Mujadara (Lentils and Rice with Caramelized Onions)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: middle_eastern
Ingredients: 1.5 cup brown lentil rinsed; 1 cup long-grain rice rinsed; 3 pcs yellow onion thinly sliced; 0.5 cup olive oil; 3 cup vegetable broth; 1 tsp cumin ground; 0.5 tsp coriander ground; 1 tsp salt; 0.5 tsp black pepper freshly ground; 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped (optional)

Mujadara is a comforting and flavorful Middle Eastern dish made from lentils, rice, and deeply caramelized onions. It's a naturally vegan and gluten-free meal that's both hearty and satisfying.

An original recipe by Forkin

Total time: 1 hr 15 min
Serves: 4
Difficulty: Medium
Per serving: 841 kcal

VeganVegetarianGluten-free

Mise en place

Ingredients

1.5 cupbrown lentil, rinsed
1 cuplong-grain rice, rinsed
3 pcsyellow onion, thinly sliced
0.5 cupolive oil
3 cupvegetable broth
1 tspcumin, ground
0.5 tspcoriander, ground
1 tspsalt
0.5 tspblack pepper, freshly ground

garnish

2 tbspfresh parsley, chopped(optional)

Equipment

fork · spoon · large pot · dutch oven

The method

Step by step

1
Rinse the lentils thoroughly under cold running water until the water runs clear, then set aside.
About 2 min
2
Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
About 1 min
3
Add the sliced yellow onion to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, for 20-30 minutes until deeply caramelized and dark brown. This is crucial for flavor.
About 25 min
Cook’s note: Don't rush this step; the deeply browned onions add immense flavor to the dish.
4
Remove about half of the caramelized onions from the pot and set them aside for garnish.
About 1 min
5
Add the rinsed lentils, vegetable broth, cumin, coriander, salt, and black pepper to the pot with the remaining onions.
About 1 min
6
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
About 15 min
7
Stir in the rinsed long-grain rice, cover again, and continue to simmer for another 15-20 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice and lentils are tender.
About 18 min
Cook’s note: Avoid lifting the lid too often to allow the rice to steam properly.
8
Remove the pot from the heat and let it rest, covered, for 10 minutes.
About 10 min
Cook’s note: Resting allows the rice to finish cooking and become fluffy.
9
Fluff the mujadara gently with a fork.
About 1 min
10
Serve warm, topped with the reserved caramelized onions and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, if using.

Per serving

Nutrition

70%Score

Calories: 840.9kcal
Protein: 28.5g
Carbs: 119.8g
Fat: 29g
Fibre: 12.4g
Sugar: 8.7g

Estimated from the recipe’s ingredient quantities. Values can vary with brands and substitutions.

Keep it good

Storage

Store leftover mujadara in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth to prevent drying.