Syrian Mujaddara with Caramelized Onions and Lentils

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-30 · Updated 2026-06-30

A hearty, comforting dish of lentils and rice topped with sweet caramelized onions, seasoned with earthy cumin and warm spices. This Middle Eastern-inspired vegetarian recipe (vegan), ready in about 60 minutes, pairs brown lentils, long-grain white rice, water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown lentils
• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 4 cups water
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 3 medium, thinly sliced large onions
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp ground allspice
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup brown lentils thoroughly under cold water. Place them in a medium saucepan with 4 cups water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
2. Step 2: Drain any excess water from the lentils and return them to the pot. Add 1 cup long-grain white rice, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 2 tsp ground cumin, and 1/2 tsp ground allspice. Add 2 cups fresh water, cover, and cook over low heat for 18-20 minutes until rice and lentils are tender and water is absorbed.
3. Step 3: While the lentils and rice cook, heat 4 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 thinly sliced medium onions and cook, stirring frequently, for 25-30 minutes until deep golden brown and caramelized.
4. Step 4: Once the mujadara is cooked, fluff it gently with a fork and stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice for brightness.
5. Step 5: Transfer the mujadara to a serving dish and top generously with the caramelized onions. Serve warm or at room temperature.