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Mujadara Safra

This classic Lebanese dish of thick and creamy yellow lentils made with rice. Full of fiber, vegan and super healthy!

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 559 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Ingredients

For the lentils:
  • 3 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup red or orange split lentils also known as yellow lentils
  • 1 cup egyptian or short grain rice (calrose rice)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon cumin powder
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For the caramelized onions:
  • 3 tablespoon olive or canola oil, or enough to generously coat the bottom of the pan
  • 2 onions, thinly sliced
  • pinch salt

Instructions

For the lentils:
    Cup of Yum
  1. Place lentils and rice in a bowl together, and cover with water. Check if any debris has floated to the top, and if so remove. Swirl the rice and lentils around with your hands a little to make sure there's no small stones, then rinse thoroughly and drain.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a medium sized saucepan. Add the finely diced or grated onion, and cook for several minutes until onions have softened.
  3. Add the minced garlic, and cook for another minute or so. Add the rinsed lentils and rice to the pot. Stir to combine all the ingredients together. Add the salt, pepper, and cumin and mix to combine.
  4. Add the water, it should just cover the lentil and rice mixture. Stir to combine. Cook on medium low heat, stirring occasionally until the water is all absorbed and the lentils and rice are cooked through. This could take anywhere from 20-35 minutes, depending on the consistency you are looking for.
  5. Once the mujadara is cooked through, stir in a little lemon juice and let it sit off the heat for 15-20 minutes to thicken and set further. Meanwhile, make the caramelized onions.
For the onions and to assemble:
  1. Heat the oil over medium high heat. Once hot, add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring frequently until onions are a deep golden brown, then remove from the pan and place on a paper towel lined plate.
  2. Scoop out the mujadara safra onto your serving plate, and top with the caramelized onions. Enjoy warm or at room temperature, some people even like this cold!

Notes

  • This recipe has an equal ratio of rice to lentils, but if you prefer you can make this more lentil heavy and halve the amount of rice.
  • Cooking time varies, you are looking for the rice and lentils to cook through and soften. The texture will be thick and almost porridge like.
  • You can serve this warm, at room temperature or cold. 
  • Storing leftovers:
  • Leftover mujadara can be stored in the fridge for 4-5 days, tightly covered.
  • You can also freeze leftovers, or make this ahead of time as a freezer meal. You need to store in an airtight container and it'll freeze well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before gently rewarming.
  •  

Nutrition Information

Calories 559kcal (28%) Carbohydrates 74g (25%) Protein 17g (34%) Fat 22g (34%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Polyunsaturated Fat 3g Monounsaturated Fat 16g Sodium 596mg (25%) Potassium 643mg (18%) Fiber 17g (68%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 23IU (0%) Vitamin C 10mg (11%) Calcium 65mg (7%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 559

% Daily Value*

Calories 559kcal 28%
Carbohydrates 74g 25%
Protein 17g 34%
Fat 22g 34%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g 18%
Monounsaturated Fat 16g 80%
Sodium 596mg 25%
Potassium 643mg 14%
Fiber 17g 68%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 23IU 0%
Vitamin C 10mg 11%
Calcium 65mg 7%
Iron 4mg 22%

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