Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Vegan Dinner Recipe
Easy Mujadara Recipe: This comforting, hearty, and protein-packed vegan dinner is ready in just 30 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to perfectly cooked lentils every time. The cozy aroma of spices and the satisfying texture of the lentils and rice will make your kitchen feel like a cozy Moroccan café. Start with my Cozy Moroccan Sweet Potato and Chickpea Soup for a complete meal. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Cozy Moroccan Sweet Potato and Chickpea Soup and Fresh Mango Shrimp Summer Rolls with Tangy Dipping Sauce.
Why This Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Vegan Dinner Recipe Is Pure Comfort
- Perfect for busy weeknights
- Comforting and hearty
- Better than takeout
- Easy to customize
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
- Long Grain Brown Rice
- Onion
- Carrot
- Garlic
- Cumin
- Coriander
- Salt
- Cumin
- Coriander
- Paprika
- Cinnamon
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Optional: Chopped Fresh Parsley
- Optional: Lemon Wedges
- Optional: Yogurt or Tahini Sauce
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Green Lentils: Make sure to rinse and pick over the lentils before cooking.
- Brown Rice: You can also use white rice, but brown rice has more fiber and nutrients.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Saves time and energy by cooking lentils and rice simultaneously in one pot. → See on Amazon
- Good Quality Spice Set — Ensures fresh, fragrant spices for the best flavor. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Vegan Dinner Recipe
- Cook Lentils: Rinse and pick over lentils. Combine with water, onion, carrot, and spices in a pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes.
- Cook Rice: Rinse rice. Combine with water and a pinch of salt in a separate pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Combine and Serve: Drain excess water from lentils if needed. Combine lentils and rice in a large bowl. Stir in garlic, lemon juice, and more salt if needed. Serve with optional toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Vegan Dinner Recipe
- : To prevent lentils from breaking apart, don't overcook them. They should still have a slight bite to them.
- Common mistake and fix: If your lentils are too mushy, try using less water or cooking them for less time. If they're not cooked enough, add more water and cook for a few more minutes.
- : For a thicker stew, cook the lentils and rice together in the Instant Pot, then mash some of the lentils before serving.
- : To make this recipe gluten-free, ensure your vegetable broth is gluten-free.
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 make this recipe up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Freezing Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Vegan Dinner Recipe
Freeze portions 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, stirring occasionally. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a smoky flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika or a small piece of dried seaweed to the lentils while cooking.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the brown rice for quinoa or bulgur for a different texture and flavor.
- Make-ahead: This recipe is perfect for meal prepping. Make a big batch and portion it out for the week.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If your lentils are not cooking evenly, try using a pressure cooker or Instant Pot to ensure even cooking.
Want to level up this recipe?
Good Quality Cutting Board — A sturdy cutting board ensures safe and efficient prep work for your lentils and vegetables. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Vegan Dinner Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Green Lentils
- Long Grain Brown Rice
- Onion
- Carrot
- Garlic
- Cumin
- Coriander
- Salt
Seasonings
- Cumin
- Coriander
- Paprika
- Cinnamon
- Salt
- Black Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Chopped Fresh Parsley
- Lemon Wedges
- Yogurt or Tahini Sauce
Instructions
- Cook Lentils: Rinse and pick over lentils. Combine with water, onion, carrot, and spices in a pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes.
- Cook Rice: Rinse rice. Combine with water and a pinch of salt in a separate pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Combine and Serve: Drain excess water from lentils if needed. Combine lentils and rice in a large bowl. Stir in garlic, lemon juice, and more salt if needed. Serve with optional toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a smoky flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika or a small piece of dried seaweed to the lentils while cooking.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the brown rice for quinoa or bulgur for a different texture and flavor.
- Make-ahead: This recipe is perfect for meal prepping. Make a big batch and portion it out for the week.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If your lentils are not cooking evenly, try using a pressure cooker or Instant Pot to ensure even cooking.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze portions 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, stirring occasionally.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: You can make this recipe up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 8g
- Carbs: 75g
- Fiber: 18g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 1.5g
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 make Mujadara up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Overcooking or using too much water can cause lentils to become mushy. Try cooking them for less time or using less water.
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free. Just ensure your vegetable broth is gluten-free as well.
Yes, you can freeze Mujadara for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Mujadara is a complete meal on its own, but you can serve it with a side of Fresh Mango Shrimp Summer Rolls or Easy Hot and Sour Noodle Soup for a more filling meal.
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!
