If you’re coming across my blog for the first time, here are a couple of things you should know. First, I’m Lebanese and proud. Second, I’ve loved sharing lots of my favorite Lebanese and Middle Eastern dishes like sfiha meat pies, fatteh, and hindbeh (sauteed dandelion greens with onions). Even better, I spent months last year researching, traveling, and learning from the best in Lebanon and brought out a Lebanese cookbook. It’s jam-packed with real, authentic Lebanese dishes – one of them being Mujadara (Lebanese lentils and rice with sautéed onions).
What Is Mujadara
Mujadara, also called moujadara, mujaddara, mjadra/mejadra, mjadarah/mjadrah, mdardara, majadra, and mudardara/moudardara (meaning “pockmarked” and referring to how the lentils look amongst the rice), is a classic Lebanese/Arab recipe made by combining cooked lentils with rice (or sometimes bulgur wheat), topped off with sauteed onions (sometimes caramelized) and often yogurt. The secret to the best mujadara recipe is the oil used for cooking the onions. First, the onions are sauteed until caramelized and crispy. Then the cooking oil is poured back into the rice and lentils for tons of flavor depth (and zero waste) and the onions are served over the dish. It’s bold, comforting, and delicious.
Is Mujadara Healthy
Traditionally, this Middle Eastern lentils and rice dish was initially known as a “poor man’s food.” It combines simple and inexpensive ingredients to create a frugal meal that is still hearty and flavorful with a very short ingredients list. With the combination of ingredients, mujaddara is a pretty well-balanced meal. It offers plenty of fiber, several nutrients, and plant-based protein. You can increase the nutrients further by using brown rice, too. This dish is also diet-friendly, as it’s gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan, etc.
Mujadara Ingredients
Rely on just 5 simple and super inexpensive ingredients for this Mediterranean mujadara recipe, with a couple of optional garnishes.
Which Lentils Are Best to Use in Mujadara
Brown and green dried lentils cook fairly similarly. Plus, they hold their shape once cooked, meaning either will work for this Lebanese mujadara recipe. Avoid red lentils, though, which will just become soft and mushy.
How to Make Mujadara
In a large, heavy-based saucepan, combine the lentils, rice, water, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered, for 20 minutes, or until lentils are “al dente.”
How Should Onions Be Cooked for Mujadara
Meanwhile, thinly slice the red onion and heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. To save time, slice the onions with a mandoline or food processor slicing disk. Once hot, add the onion and cook for 10-15 minutes, occasionally stirring, until the onions brown, caramelize, and become crispy. Then, remove the caramelized onions from the oil, setting them aside and reserving the oil. When the lentils are al dente, pour in the oil from the fried onions. Stir everything well. Then add a lid and cook over low heat to simmer for 10 more minutes. Or until the rice and lentils are tender. Finally, serve the mujadara rice and lentils warm with the fried onions over the top, and enjoy!
Top Tips for Cooking Mujadara
Make sure to partially cook the rice/lentils uncovered: This ensures the lentils plump up without the skins splitting or them becoming mushy. Don’t discard the onion cooking oil. This is the secret ingredient for authentic mujaddara flavor, adding the deep oniony flavor throughout the lentil and rice pilaf. Cook until al dente frist, as you will continue cooking the rice and lentils together with the oil from the onions. De-glaze the onion pan. Add just a splash of water or broth at the end and scrape up any brown bits from the pan to get all that flavor into the onions.
How to Store Leftover Mujadara
Allow the mujaddara to cool, then store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To freeze, I like to portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags. Store them in the freezer for 3-4 months. Allow a portion to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating it.
What to Serve with Mujadara
Thanks to the protein-dense lentils, moujadra is hearty enough to enjoy alone. However, make more of a meal with the addition of:
Kofta kebab, or fried kibbeh, Grilled Shish Tawook, Oven-baked chicken breast or baked chicken thighs, Grilled or baked fish – like oven baked salmon, A side dish or roasted or grilled vegetables, Traditional homemade falafels or baked falafels, A simple side salad, Dips – like hummus, baba ghanoush, etc.
More Rice Recipes
Filipino Garlic Fried Rice (Sinangag) Classic Persian Crispy Rice (Tahdig) Yellow Turmeric Rice One Pot Chicken and Rice
If you try this mujadara lentils and rice recipe, let me know how it goes in the comments below. I’d appreciate a recipe card rating and would love to see your recipe recreations – tag me on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
