Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Vegan Dinner Recipe
Easy Mujadara Recipe is a comforting, better-than-takeout vegan dinner ready in just 30 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to perfectly caramelized onions that make this dish irresistible. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Spanish Potato Soup with Chorizo Recipe and Easy Gnocchi and Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce.
Why This Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Vegan Dinner Recipe Is Pure Comfort
- Better than takeout
- Ready in 30 minutes
- Comforting and filling
- Easily customizable
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
- 2 large onions
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- Optional: Chopped fresh parsley
- Optional: Lemon wedges
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Lentils: Rinse and pick over lentils before cooking.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Saves time and energy → See on Amazon
- Good quality olive oil — Enhances flavor → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Vegan Dinner Recipe
- Cook Lentils: Rinse lentils, then cook with 3 cups of water until tender. Drain excess water.
- Caramelize Onions: Thinly slice onions, then cook in olive oil over medium heat until caramelized.
- Cook Rice: Rinse rice, then cook with 2 cups of water until tender.
- Combine and Season: Mix cooked lentils, rice, and caramelized onions. Add cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Cook for another 5 minutes.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Vegan Dinner Recipe
- Common mistake and fix: Undercooking lentils can make them tough. Ensure they're tender before combining with rice and onions.
- Tip: For a quicker version, use canned lentils and pre-cooked rice.
- Tip: Add a pinch of saffron for a more vibrant color and flavor.
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 5 days. Make-ahead tip: You can caramelize onions and cook lentils a day ahead.
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 (180°C) for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Sautéing onions until caramelized brings out their natural sweetness, enhancing the overall flavor of the dish.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the rice with quinoa or bulgur for a gluten-free version.
- Make-ahead: This dish reheats well, making it perfect for meal prepping.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If your lentils are still hard after cooking, add more water and cook for a few more minutes.
Want to level up this recipe?
Good quality knife — Makes prep work faster and safer → 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
- 2 large onions
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Seasonings
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Optional Toppings
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Cook Lentils: Rinse lentils, then cook with 3 cups of water until tender. Drain excess water.
- Caramelize Onions: Thinly slice onions, then cook in olive oil over medium heat until caramelized.
- Cook Rice: Rinse rice, then cook with 2 cups of water until tender.
- Combine and Season: Mix cooked lentils, rice, and caramelized onions. Add cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Cook for another 5 minutes.
Notes
- Chef tip: Sautéing onions until caramelized brings out their natural sweetness, enhancing the overall flavor of the dish.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the rice with quinoa or bulgur for a gluten-free version.
- Make-ahead: This dish reheats well, making it perfect for meal prepping.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If your lentils are still hard after cooking, 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 individual portions for up to 3 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 caramelize onions and cook lentils a day ahead.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 7g
- Carbs: 75g
- Fiber: 15g
- Sugar: 9g
- 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, you can caramelize onions and cook lentils a day ahead. Reheat everything together before serving.
Ensure you're using the correct lentils (green or brown) and cook them until tender before combining with other ingredients.
Yes, freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Yes, follow the same instructions but cook lentils and rice together in the Instant Pot for 4-5 minutes at high pressure.
Mujadara is made with green or brown lentils, while Mejadra uses red lentils. The cooking method and seasoning may also vary.
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!
