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  3. Arabic Rice with Vermicelli
A succulent bowl of rice garnished with fresh mint leaves, perfect for a culinary delight.

Toasted vermicelli noodles in fluffy basmati rice

Arabic Rice with Vermicelli

Arabic Rice with Vermicelli

25 minEasy

Prep Time

5 min

Cook Time

20 min

Total Time

25 min

Servings

4

4 cups

Difficulty

Easy

Cost

Budget

$

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Arabic Rice with Vermicelli

Toasted vermicelli noodles in fluffy basmati rice

Fragrant basmati rice studded with golden toasted vermicelli noodles. This simple, elegant side dish accompanies nearly every Middle Eastern meal and elevates plain rice to something special.

5m

Prep Time

20m

Cook Time

25m

Total Time

4

Servings

Easy

Difficulty

Budget $

Cost

Mediterranean CuisineSide DishVegetarian
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

May 7, 2023(Updated April 13, 2026)

Arabic rice with vermicelli is the foundation of Middle Eastern home cooking. Toasting the noodles in butter until golden before adding the rice creates a nutty depth that transforms simple rice.

Why This Recipe Works

Toasting vermicelli in butter until deep golden develops a nutty, caramelized flavor. Rinsing the rice removes excess starch for fluffy, separate grains every time.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups basmati rice, rinsed well
  • 1/2 cup vermicelli noodles, broken into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2.5 cups water or chicken broth
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. 1

    Rinse basmati rice in several changes of water until the water runs clear. Drain well.

  2. 2

    Melt butter and olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add vermicelli and toast, stirring constantly, until deep golden brown, about 3 minutes.

  3. 3

    Add rinsed rice and stir to coat in the butter for 1 minute.

  4. 4

    Add water and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to the lowest heat, cover tightly, and cook 15 minutes.

  5. 5

    Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

  • Serve with crusty artisan bread for dipping

  • Finish with a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil

  • Pair with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette

Substitutions

Basmati riceJasmine rice

Slightly stickier but still fragrant

ButterGhee

Even nuttier flavor and higher smoke point for toasting

DepthPantry

Test Kitchen Pick

Olive Oil

Helpful Pantry Staple

Why the olive oil matters

On recipes like this, olive oil is not just a background fat. A better bottle gives you cleaner flavor and a better finish.

This is one of the few pantry upgrades that keeps paying off every time you cook in this lane.

  • Useful in dressings, sauces, and finishing
  • Improves flavor without changing the recipe structure

A good bottle of olive oil is one of the safest pantry upgrades for Mediterranean and Italian cooking.

Shop olive oil for this recipe

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

  • Watch the vermicelli closely—it goes from golden to burnt in seconds.

  • Don't lift the lid while the rice cooks. Steam is essential for fluffy results.

Storage

Refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Reheating

Sprinkle with water, cover, and microwave or reheat in a covered pot on low.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (10mg) · 4 servings

Calories250
LowModerateHigh

A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein5g
Carbohydrates6g
Fat44g
Fiber380mg
Sugar1g
Sodium0g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use long-grain white rice?
Yes, though basmati has the best fragrance and texture.
What kind of vermicelli?
Use thin vermicelli pasta (fideos) broken into short pieces. Not rice vermicelli.

Explore More

More Mediterranean RecipesMore Side DishVegetarian RecipesStovetop Recipes
Sarah Chen

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

View all recipes →

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