Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner
Easy Mujadara Recipe: A comforting and hearty lentils and rice dinner. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the balance of flavors. The trick I discovered is to cook the lentils and rice together for a richer, more cohesive dish. The result is a cozy, hearty meal that’s better than takeout. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crispy Thai Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipe for Dinner and Easy Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe for Dinner.
Why This Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Easy and quick to prepare
- Comforting and hearty
- Better than takeout
- Versatile – serves as a main or side dish
What You'll Need for Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Green lentils
- Long grain rice
- Onion
- Carrots
- Garlic
- Cumin
- Coriander
- Salt
- Pepper
- Lemon juice
- Olive oil
- Optional: Chopped parsley
- Optional: Crumbled feta
- Optional: Lemon wedges
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Green lentils: Rinse and pick over lentils before cooking.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Cooks lentils and rice perfectly in half the time. → See on Amazon
- Good quality cumin — Makes a big difference in flavor. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner
- Sauté onion and garlic: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté until softened.
- Cook lentils and rice: Add lentils, rice, carrots, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper. Stir well. Pour in water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes.
- Finish and serve: Stir in lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot, topped with optional toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the lentils and rice. They should still have a slight bite to them. If they're too soft, the dish will be mushy.
- Pro tip: For a richer flavor, cook the lentils and rice together with the aromatics from the start.
- Pro tip: Add a pinch of baking soda to the cooking water to help soften the lentils.
Storing & Reheating Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: Can be made ahead and reheated.
Freezing Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner
Freeze for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, omit the beef broth and use vegetable broth instead.
- Best substitution: You can substitute brown rice for the long grain rice for a healthier version.
- Make-ahead: This dish freezes well. Make a big batch and freeze individual portions for easy meals later.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved depending on your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If the lentils and rice are still hard after 30 minutes, add more water and continue cooking.
Want to level up this recipe?
Good quality olive oil — Makes a big difference in flavor. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Green lentils
- Long grain rice
- Onion
- Carrots
- Garlic
Seasonings
- Cumin
- Coriander
- Salt
- Pepper
- Lemon juice
- Olive oil
Optional Toppings
- Chopped parsley
- Crumbled feta
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Sauté onion and garlic: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté until softened.
- Cook lentils and rice: Add lentils, rice, carrots, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper. Stir well. Pour in water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes.
- Finish and serve: Stir in lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot, topped with optional toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, omit the beef broth and use vegetable broth instead.
- Best substitution: You can substitute brown rice for the long grain rice for a healthier version.
- Make-ahead: This dish freezes well. Make a big batch and freeze individual portions for easy meals later.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved depending on your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If the lentils and rice are still hard after 30 minutes, add more water and continue cooking.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
- Make ahead: Can be made ahead and reheated.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 70g
- Fiber: 15g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 1.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner FAQs
Yes, Mujadara can be made ahead and reheated. It also freezes well.
If your Mujadara turned out dry, you may have overcooked it or not used enough liquid. Next time, keep an eye on the cooking time and ensure you've used enough water.
No, Mujadara is not suitable for cooking in the air fryer. It's best cooked on the stovetop or in the oven.
For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth. For a non-vegetarian version, chicken broth can be used as a substitute.
Yes, Mujadara can be made in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
