Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Vegan Dinner Recipe
Easy mujadara recipe that’s better than takeout! After making this many times, I discovered the trick to perfectly cooked lentils and rice every time. The warm, comforting aroma of this dish will make your kitchen feel like a cozy Middle Eastern café. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Creamed Spinach and Artichokes Recipe for Dinner and Easy Baked Turmeric Chicken with Spring Vegetables.
Why This Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Vegan Dinner Recipe Is Pure Comfort
- Ready in just 30 minutes
- Comforting and flavorful
- Budget-friendly and vegan
- 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.
- 1 cup green or brown lentils
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Optional: Chopped fresh parsley
- Optional: Lemon wedges
- Optional: Plain yogurt or vegan yogurt
📝 Ingredient Notes
- lentils: Rinse and pick over lentils before cooking.
- rice: Use long grain white rice for best results.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Cooks lentils and rice perfectly every time. → See on Amazon
- Good quality olive oil — Enhances the flavor of the dish. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Vegan Dinner Recipe
- Sauté onion and garlic: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
- Cook lentils and rice: Add lentils, rice, diced tomatoes (with juice), cumin, coriander, paprika, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir well to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until lentils and rice are tender.
- Serve: Fluff the mujadara with a fork and serve hot, topped with chopped fresh parsley, lemon wedges, and 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 and rice. They should still have a slight bite to them when done. If they're too soft, the mujadara will be mushy.
- Tip: For a thicker mujadara, cook without the lid for the last 5 minutes of cooking time.
- Tip: Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.
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 in the fridge for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: Mujadara can be made ahead and reheated.
Freezing Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Vegan Dinner Recipe
Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of water.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the rice with bulgur or quinoa for a different texture and flavor.
- Make-ahead: Mujadara can be made ahead and reheated. It also freezes well.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If the mujadara is too dry, add a little water or vegetable broth and cook for a few more minutes.
Want to level up this recipe?
Good quality non-stick pot — Ensures even cooking and easy cleanup. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Vegan Dinner Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup green or brown lentils
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
Seasonings
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Optional Toppings
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges
- Plain yogurt or vegan yogurt
Instructions
- Sauté onion and garlic: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
- Cook lentils and rice: Add lentils, rice, diced tomatoes (with juice), cumin, coriander, paprika, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir well to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until lentils and rice are tender.
- Serve: Fluff the mujadara with a fork and serve hot, topped with chopped fresh parsley, lemon wedges, and a dollop of yogurt if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of water.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the rice with bulgur or quinoa for a different texture and flavor.
- Make-ahead: Mujadara can be made ahead and reheated. It also freezes well.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If the mujadara is too dry, add a little water or vegetable broth and cook for a few more minutes.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
- Make ahead: Mujadara can be made ahead and reheated.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 6g
- Carbs: 55g
- Fiber: 15g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 1g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Vegan Dinner Recipe FAQs
Yes, mujadara can be made ahead and reheated. It also freezes well for up to 3 months.
If the mujadara is too dry, add a little water or vegetable broth and cook for a few more minutes. Make sure you're not overcooking the lentils and rice.
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 often served with a side of mixed greens salad, pita bread, or a dollop of yogurt.
Yes, this recipe is gluten-free. Just make sure your broth is gluten-free if using.
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!
