Easy and Quick Mujadara Lentils Rice Recipe
Easy Mujadara Recipe – After making this many times, I’ve perfected the trick to the best, quickest Mujadara. The golden, fluffy rice and tender lentils will make your family beg for this 20-minute restaurant version. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crack Chicken Sliders Hawaiian Rolls Easy and Quick and Cashew Edamame Salad Quick and Easy Recipe.
Why This Easy and Quick Mujadara Lentils Rice Recipe Is Pure Comfort
- Ready in just 20 minutes
- Better than takeout taste
- Filling and satisfying
- Versatile – serve with any protein
- Economical – budget-friendly meal
What You'll Need for Easy and Quick Mujadara Lentils Rice Recipe
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 cup green lentils
- 1 cup long grain rice
- 1 large onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Optional: Chopped fresh parsley
- Optional: Lemon wedges
- Optional: Crumbled feta cheese
📝 Ingredient Notes
- green lentils: Rinse and pick over lentils before cooking.
- rice: Use long grain rice for best results.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Saves time and cooks lentils perfectly → See on Amazon
- Good quality olive oil — Enhances the flavor of the dish → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy and Quick Mujadara Lentils Rice Recipe
- Step 1: Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until soft and golden.
- Step 2: Add lentils, rice, and spices. Cook for 1 minute.
- Step 3: Add diced tomatoes and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil.
- Step 4: Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until lentils and rice are tender.
- Step 5: Fluff with a fork, garnish with parsley, and serve with lemon wedges and feta cheese if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy and Quick Mujadara Lentils Rice Recipe
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the lentils and rice. They can become mushy. Keep an eye on them and adjust cooking time as needed.
- Pro tip: For a more flavorful dish, use vegetable or chicken broth instead of water.
- Pro tip: Add a pinch of baking soda to the water to help soften the lentils.
- Pro tip: For a vegetarian version, omit the feta cheese or replace it with vegan feta.
Storing & Reheating Easy and Quick Mujadara Lentils Rice Recipe
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: You can make this dish ahead of time and reheat when ready to serve.
Freezing Easy and Quick Mujadara Lentils Rice Recipe
Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Stir and heat again if needed.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
- Best substitution: You can use brown rice instead of long grain rice for a healthier version.
- Make-ahead: Cook the lentils and rice separately and mix them just before serving to prevent them from sticking together.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the lentils and rice are not tender after 20 minutes, add more water and cook for a few more minutes.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality cutting board — Makes prep work easier and safer → Check price on Amazon
Easy and Quick Mujadara Lentils Rice Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup green lentils
- 1 cup long grain rice
- 1 large onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
Seasonings
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Optional Toppings
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges
- Crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until soft and golden.
- Step 2: Add lentils, rice, and spices. Cook for 1 minute.
- Step 3: Add diced tomatoes and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil.
- Step 4: Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until lentils and rice are tender.
- Step 5: Fluff with a fork, garnish with parsley, and serve with lemon wedges and feta cheese if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
- Best substitution: You can use brown rice instead of long grain rice for a healthier version.
- Make-ahead: Cook the lentils and rice separately and mix them just before serving to prevent them from sticking together.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the lentils and rice are not tender after 20 minutes, add more water and cook for a few more minutes.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Stir and heat again if needed.
- Make ahead: You can make this dish ahead of time and reheat when ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 6g
- Carbs: 60g
- Fiber: 15g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 1g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy and Quick Mujadara Lentils Rice Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can make Mujadara ahead of time. Store it in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Overcooking the lentils and rice can make them mushy. Keep an eye on them and adjust cooking time as needed.
Yes, you can make Mujadara in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Mujadara is made with green lentils, while Mejadra is made with brown lentils. The cooking method and seasonings may also vary.
While you can use instant rice, it may not have the same texture and flavor as long grain rice. I recommend using long grain rice for the best results.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy and Quick Mujadara Lentils Rice Recipe 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!
