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Instant Pot Lentils & Rice (Mujadara)

Instant Pot Lentils & Rice (Mujadara) is the healthy vegan and gluten free meal. Lentils and rice cooked with fragrant spices & topped with caramelized onions. You will love this one-pot version of Mujadara in instant pot where you don't have to cook lentils and rice separately.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Soaking time
1 hr
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 222 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon oil to saute onions (divided)
  • 1/2 onion sliced (about 1 cup)
  • 1/2 onion diced (about 1 cup)
  • 1/2 tablespoon garlic minced
  • 3/4 cup Brown lentils (Whole Masoor Dal)
  • 2 cups water for cooking
  • 3/4 cup basmati rice
  • 1/4 cup cilantro to garnish (optional)
Spices
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cumin (Jeera powder)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Rinse and soak the brown lentils for 1 hour in warm water. 
  2. Heat the instant pot in saute mode and add 1 tbsp of oil in it. Add the sliced onions and saute them for about 5 minutes until they brown and are slightly crisp on the edges. Take them out and save for later. 
  3. Add 1 tbsp of oil to the instant pot. Add the diced onions and garlic. Saute till they lightly brown for about 3 minutes. Add the ground coriander, cumin, cinnamon and salt. 
  4. Stir in the lentils and water. Let it boil for about 6-7 minutes. This will help the lentils to get softer before we add rice. 
  5. Add the rice and stir well. Press cancel and close lid with vent in sealing position. 
  6. Cook on Rice mode. Instant Pot set the cooking time to 12 minutes at low pressure. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 mins, then release manually (10 minute NPR). Press cancel and take the steel insert out of the instant pot. 
  7. Fluff the lentils and rice with a fork. Top the rice with the caramelized sliced onions and cilantro. Enjoy with a side of yogurt and salad.  

Notes

  • Soaking Dal: Soak the whole masoor dal for about an hour, so it gets soft and can cook in the same time as rice.
  • Spice: Adjust the spices to taste. I have kept this recipe to be non spicy.
  • Sautéed onions: Don't forget the sautéed sliced onions. They are the best part of Mujadara. If you want to save time, you can sauté the sliced onions on the stovetop while the rice & lentils are cooking in the instant pot.
  • Mujadara with Brown Basmati Rice: We can make this Mujadara with brown rice with some minor modifications. Soak brown rice in hot water for about 2 hours. Do not soak the brown lentils. Then follow the recipe, no need to boil the lentils before adding rice. Then change the pressure cooking time to 15 mins on low pressure, followed by a 10 min natural pressure release. This means let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then release the pressure manually.

Nutrition Information

Calories 222kcal (11%) Carbohydrates 35g (12%) Protein 8g (16%) Fat 5g (8%) Sodium 396mg (17%) Potassium 292mg (8%) Fiber 8g (32%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 55IU (1%) Vitamin C 3mg (3%) Calcium 34mg (3%) Iron 2.2mg (12%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 222

% Daily Value*

Calories 222kcal 11%
Carbohydrates 35g 12%
Protein 8g 16%
Fat 5g 8%
Sodium 396mg 17%
Potassium 292mg 6%
Fiber 8g 32%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 55IU 1%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Calcium 34mg 3%
Iron 2.2mg 12%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.