Mujadara is a timeless dish made from simple, wholesome ingredients like lentils, rice, and caramelized onions. Packed with earthy, savory, and slightly sweet flavors, it's as satisfying as it is easy to prepare. Perfect on its own or paired with yogurt and fresh salad, this classic recipe brings warmth and tradition to your table.
Mujadara is a traditional Middle Eastern dish made with lentils, rice (or sometimes bulgur), and caramelized onions.
It's a simple, hearty, and flavorful vegetarian meal, often seasoned with spices like cumin, coriander, or cinnamon.
The combination of lentils and rice makes it a great source of plant-based protein, and the sweetness of the caramelized onions balances the earthy flavor of the lentils.
So whenever you have leftover rice, save time and make this Mujadara with it.
Of course, cooking rice fresh for this Mujadara is just as amazing. What you will get is a standout dish for the whole family that is
easy to make with simple ingredients
delicious
flavorful
budget friendly
great for meal prep
versatile
filling
What ingredients go into this Mujadara recipe
The ingredients you need to make this easy Lentils and Rice recipe are common kitchen staples.
Rice serves as the dish's starchy base, offering a soft and neutral texture that balances the earthiness of the lentils. Typically, white or long-grain rice is used for its ability to absorb the flavors of the spices and olive oil, ensuring every bite is flavorful.
The star of the dish, lentils, provides a rich, earthy flavor and a healthy dose of plant-based protein. Brown or green lentils are most commonly used, as they hold their shape during cooking and pair well with the soft texture of the rice. Together, the rice and lentils create a hearty, satisfying foundation that's both nutritious and filling.
Flavor comes alive with the addition of caramelized onions, olive oil, and warm spices like cumin. The onions are deeply browned to bring sweetness and are used generously both inside the dish and as a garnish. Olive oil not only helps cook the onions to perfection but also adds richness and a Mediterranean touch. Garlic and cumin lend their bold, savory aromas, enhancing the dish's complexity and ensuring it's packed with flavor in every bite.
Optional you can add finely chopped garlic.
How to make Mujadara
Before we start, keep in mind that the recipe calls for the rice and lentils being already cooked to save time.
If you need to do precook these, use 1 cup uncooked rice and 2 cups water, and the same amounts for the lentils.
Also you can cook both in the same pot you need to double the water amount.
Please make sure to start with the rice or lentils first, which will depend what takes longer. Any rice or lentils will work.
Heat a skillet with ⅓ cup olive oil, reserve the remaining 2 tbs for later. Make sure the oil is hot, then add the onions and fry them for 15 minutes.
Stir until caramelized, finally season with salt and pepper.
At the same time, heat another casserole or skillet with 2 tablespoon olive oil. Add minced garlic and fry for 1 minute
Now add cumin, cooked rice and lentils to that skillet. Season with salt and pepper and cook for 4 minutes.
Mix in optional parsley, if you like.
Serving Lentils and Rice
When all is done, serve Mujadara on plates or in bowls. Adding a dollop of my 30 Seconds Best Hummus Recipe on top is delicious.
You can serve the rice and lentils separately, or just mix everything together. Both ways are delicious.
This Mujadara makes such an easy meal for dinner, lunch, and meal prep that everyone can count on.
Tips and tricks for the perfect Mujadara
As you can see, I keep it really simple in this recipe and use rice and lentils that are already cooked to save time. You can prepare a big batch ahead of time and have everything on hand and prepared. Pro tip: To make it even easier, use canned lentils.
Less oil: you can skip the 2 tbs of olive oil for cooking the rice and simply reheat it on the stove or in microwave. But note that the result will be different as I find that extra oil adds so much flavor.
This Mujadara is super easy to make with simple ingredients that you might already have on hand. It is full of flavor, packed with the right texture and naturally vegan.
Ingredients
3 cups cooked rice
5 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon cumin
⅓ cup olive oil + 2 Tbs, divided
2 cups cooked lentils
3 cups onions, sliced
salt, pepper to taste
Optional:
½ cup parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
Heat a skillet with ⅓ cup olive oil, reserve the remaining 2 tbs for later. Make sure the oil is hot, then add the onions and fry them for 15 minutes. Stir until caramelized, season with salt and pepper.
At the same time, heat another casserole or skillet with 2 Tbs olive oil. Add minced garlic and fry for 1 minute
Now add cumin, cooked rice and lentils to that skillet. Season with salt and pepper and cook for 4 minutes. Mix in the onions and optional parsley, if you like.
@Lalily, Hi, I believe the point of 2 skillets is so that while your onions are caramelizing, which take the longest, you can prepare the rest of the dish. Cuts down on time.
I couldn’t believe how good this was for as simple as it was! Definitely something I’ll be making regularly.
Rather than dirtying two skillets I just mixed everything together in one. Also paired it with roasted turmeric cauliflower. Yum!
I've made some adjustment to the recipe. Added green chilies, added small green chilies and I use cashew nuts (chopped in chunky size) in my fridge since I don't have lentils. I use fresh cumin, pestled them until it becomes really fine. Blend the chilies and garlic and cumin. Pour the blended ingredients into heated oil, stir. Add cashew nuts. Stir. Add rice. Add salt and pepper. Add ajinomoto (very very little). Stir well until the blended ingredients cover the whole rice thoroughly. Remove the rice into a plate. Sprinkle the rice with caramelized onions (generously) and parsley. Next time I want to sprinkle cashew nuts as well. Really enjoyed my lunch. My mom loves it a lot.
Great your family love it so much, Nuri! Thanks for your feedback. Would you mind leaving a star rating with your review? Your experience is so helpful for other readers. Thanks so much.
Thanks for your great feedback and making it, Veronica. Would you mind leaving a star rating with your review? This is so helpful for other readers. Thanks so much.
I finally made this last night. It was wonderful! The caramelized onions and fresh parsley added flavoring that was not overpowering as many lentil dishes are. Even my omnivore older mother seemed to enjoy it 🙂 I made the rice ahead of time and used vacuum packed lentils from Whole Foods (never mushy!) so it was a breeze to whip up for a Monday night dinner. This recipe will definitely go into the rotation. Thank you!!
Thanks so much for your amazing feedback and making it, Deanna! Would you mind leaving a star rating with your review? This is super helpful for other readers. Thanks so much.
How long would this keep in the fridge? Would it freeze well? I ask because, while I could probably smash the entire amount in one sitting, my dietitian would have kittens if I did.
Question. Do you think i can use black lentils? And how about tzatziki on the side? I have both of these things to use up please lmk any suggestions you have!!!
Hi Florian, just stumbled across your website and I am so looking forward to making this dish tomorrow. I know it will be a favourite for me as I love rice and am always looking for rice recipes. Will let you know how it turns out. Thanks Florian.
Made this dish today and OMG it was sensational. This is the best rice dish ever and I'm going to be cooking it every week. Gave my neighbour a taste and she loves it. Cooked enough to freeze for a few days. Thanks so much Florian .10 stars.
Hi Mindy! Thanks for your great feedback. Would you mind leaving a star rating with your review? Your experience is so helpful for other readers. Thanks a lot.
This sounds great, I just don't understand why you need a second skillet for the garlic, unless I haven't read it correctly. Thanks
Hi Rachel! The second skillet is needed for the garlic, cumin, lentils and rice. Hope that clarifies.
@Rachel Vallis, me either, I would do it all in one. Less clean up!
@Lalily, Hi, I believe the point of 2 skillets is so that while your onions are caramelizing, which take the longest, you can prepare the rest of the dish. Cuts down on time.
I couldn’t believe how good this was for as simple as it was! Definitely something I’ll be making regularly.
Rather than dirtying two skillets I just mixed everything together in one. Also paired it with roasted turmeric cauliflower. Yum!
Thanks for your feedback, Joni! Would you mind leaving a star rating with your review? This is so helpful for other readers. Thanks so much.
I've made some adjustment to the recipe. Added green chilies, added small green chilies and I use cashew nuts (chopped in chunky size) in my fridge since I don't have lentils. I use fresh cumin, pestled them until it becomes really fine. Blend the chilies and garlic and cumin. Pour the blended ingredients into heated oil, stir. Add cashew nuts. Stir. Add rice. Add salt and pepper. Add ajinomoto (very very little). Stir well until the blended ingredients cover the whole rice thoroughly. Remove the rice into a plate. Sprinkle the rice with caramelized onions (generously) and parsley. Next time I want to sprinkle cashew nuts as well. Really enjoyed my lunch. My mom loves it a lot.
Great your family love it so much, Nuri! Thanks for your feedback. Would you mind leaving a star rating with your review? Your experience is so helpful for other readers. Thanks so much.
@Florian,
I've given a 5-star review. Hope you received it : )
Thank you, Nuri! 😊 I hope you'll find lots of more recipes to try.
You forgott tó mentik spooning the onions on top. I ate this dish i Egypt. Delicious
Thanks for your great feedback and making it, Veronica. Would you mind leaving a star rating with your review? This is so helpful for other readers. Thanks so much.
I finally made this last night. It was wonderful! The caramelized onions and fresh parsley added flavoring that was not overpowering as many lentil dishes are. Even my omnivore older mother seemed to enjoy it 🙂 I made the rice ahead of time and used vacuum packed lentils from Whole Foods (never mushy!) so it was a breeze to whip up for a Monday night dinner. This recipe will definitely go into the rotation. Thank you!!
Thanks so much for your amazing feedback and making it, Deanna! Would you mind leaving a star rating with your review? This is super helpful for other readers. Thanks so much.
How long would this keep in the fridge? Would it freeze well? I ask because, while I could probably smash the entire amount in one sitting, my dietitian would have kittens if I did.
Hi Dan! You can store it in the fridge for around 4 days. For freezing it will last 3 months. Hope that helps.
Question. Do you think i can use black lentils? And how about tzatziki on the side? I have both of these things to use up please lmk any suggestions you have!!!
Hi Kimberly! You can absolutely use them. Tzatziki or hummus is amazing on the side. 😊
@Florian, thank you! I will report back!!
Hi Florian, just stumbled across your website and I am so looking forward to making this dish tomorrow. I know it will be a favourite for me as I love rice and am always looking for rice recipes. Will let you know how it turns out. Thanks Florian.
Happy to help and thank you, Sharon! Let me know what you think. One of my favorites. 😊
Made this dish today and OMG it was sensational. This is the best rice dish ever and I'm going to be cooking it every week. Gave my neighbour a taste and she loves it. Cooked enough to freeze for a few days. Thanks so much Florian .10 stars.
Thanks for your wonderful feedback and making it, Sharon. I hope you'll find lots of more recipes to try.
Made this last night. SO easy and so delicious. I used cilantro instead of parsley.
Thanks for your great feedback, Denise!
Made this recently and loved it! I used red lentils and added some sweet corn and a pinch of paprika. So easy and simple to make and very delicious 😋
Thanks for your great feedback, Samantha! Would you mind leaving a star rating? Your feedback is so helpful for other readers. Thanks so much.
Would this work with black lentils too?
Hi Pat! I think it would, but the result will be different. Let me know what you think.
Made this delicious meal 2 days ago and it was so good! It's going to be a staple in my meal planning now! Thanks so much
Thanks for making it, Kimberli! 😊
I've made this 3 times! Love it!
Hi Mindy! Thanks for your great feedback. Would you mind leaving a star rating with your review? Your experience is so helpful for other readers. Thanks a lot.
Sounds wonderful. Is it good with brown rice?
Hi Aimee! Of course it will be really delicious with brown rice. Enjoy and let me know what you think.