
Lentils and rice with caramelized onions
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
50 min
Total Time
1 hr
Servings
4
6 cups
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Budget
$
Lentils and rice with caramelized onions
Humble yet extraordinary—tender lentils and rice crowned with mountains of deeply caramelized onions. Mujadara proves that the simplest ingredients can create the most satisfying meals.
10m
Prep Time
50m
Cook Time
60m
Total Time
4
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Budget $
Cost
(Updated )
Mujadara is Middle Eastern comfort food at its purest. The magic is in the onions—slowly caramelized until dark, sweet, and jammy, they transform simple lentils and rice into something extraordinary.
Cook lentils in 3 cups water for 15 minutes until almost tender. Don't drain.
Meanwhile, slowly caramelize onions in olive oil over medium-low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deep brown and sweet. Reserve half for topping.
Add rice, cumin, salt, and remaining caramelized onions to the lentil pot. Add water if needed to just cover.
Cover and cook on low heat for 18 minutes until rice is tender and water is absorbed.
Fluff with a fork and serve topped with reserved crispy caramelized onions and a dollop of yogurt.
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
Hold their shape equally well
A traditional variation called mujadara hamra
Test Kitchen Pick
Olive Oil
Helpful Pantry Staple
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.
A good bottle of olive oil is one of the safest pantry upgrades for Mediterranean and Italian cooking.
Shop olive oil for this recipeBe patient with the onions—rushing them with high heat won't give the same sweetness.
Serve with a simple yogurt and cucumber side for the classic combination.
Refrigerate for up to 5 days. Excellent for meal prep.
Reheat with a splash of water on the stove. Re-crisp onions separately.
Per serving (0mg) · 4 servings
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
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.
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Mediterranean

Mediterranean

Mediterranean

Mediterranean
Mediterranean

Mediterranean