Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Vegan Dinner Recipe
Easy Mujadara Recipe: A comforting and hearty vegan dinner ready in 30 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the trick to perfectly tender lentils every time. The crispy onions on top make this dish irresistible. Keep reading for my best tips or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Chickpea Curry Recipe and Vegan Lentil Soup Recipe.
Why This Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Vegan Dinner Recipe Is Pure Comfort
- Perfectly tender lentils
- Crispy onions for added crunch
- Hearty and comforting
- Better than takeout
What You'll Need for Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Vegan Dinner Recipe
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Green lentils
- Basmati rice
- Onions
- Vegetable broth
- Cumin
- Salt
- Cumin
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Oregano
- Lemon juice
- Optional: Chopped fresh parsley
- Optional: Lemon wedges
- Optional: Plain yogurt or vegan yogurt
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Green lentils: You can also use brown or black lentils.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Saves time and ensures perfectly cooked lentils. → See on Amazon
- Good quality vegetable broth — Enhances the overall flavor of the dish. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Vegan Dinner Recipe
- Cook the lentils: Rinse lentils, combine with rice, onions, and broth. Cook until lentils are tender.
- Fry the onions: Fry sliced onions in a pan until crispy. Season with cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Serve: Serve lentils and rice topped with crispy onions, fresh parsley, and lemon wedges. Add a dollop of yogurt if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Vegan Dinner Recipe
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the lentils. They become mushy. To fix, rinse and drain, then cook briefly in fresh water.
- Tip: For a quicker version, use canned lentils and cook the rice separately.
- Tip: Add a pinch of baking soda to the lentil cooking water to help them cook faster.
Storing & Reheating Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Vegan Dinner Recipe
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: You can cook the lentils and rice ahead of time and reheat before serving.
Freezing Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Vegan Dinner Recipe
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 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: Sautéing the onions in a separate pan helps them get crispy while the lentils cook.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the rice with quinoa or bulgur for a gluten-free version.
- Make-ahead: Cook the lentils and rice ahead of time and reheat before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe is easy to double or triple for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If the lentils are not tender, cook them longer or add more water.
Want to level up this recipe?
Good quality cumin — Enhances the earthy flavor of the dish. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Vegan Dinner Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Green lentils
- Basmati rice
- Onions
- Vegetable broth
- Cumin
- Salt
Seasonings
- Cumin
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Oregano
- Lemon juice
Optional Toppings
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges
- Plain yogurt or vegan yogurt
Instructions
- Cook the lentils: Rinse lentils, combine with rice, onions, and broth. Cook until lentils are tender.
- Fry the onions: Fry sliced onions in a pan until crispy. Season with cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Serve: Serve lentils and rice topped with crispy onions, fresh parsley, and lemon wedges. Add a dollop of yogurt if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: Sautéing the onions in a separate pan helps them get crispy while the lentils cook.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the rice with quinoa or bulgur for a gluten-free version.
- Make-ahead: Cook the lentils and rice ahead of time and reheat before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe is easy to double or triple for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If the lentils are not tender, cook them longer or add more water.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 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: You can cook the lentils and rice ahead of time and reheat before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 4g
- Carbs: 75g
- Fiber: 15g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 0.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Vegan Dinner Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can cook the lentils and rice ahead of time and reheat before serving.
You overcooked them. To fix, rinse and drain, then cook briefly in fresh water.
Yes, you can freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
Yes, follow the same steps but cook under high pressure for 8-10 minutes.
Mujadara is made with green or brown lentils, while Mejadra uses split fava beans.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Vegan Dinner 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!
