Name: Mujadara Recipe (Instant Pot & Stovetop)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 5
Cuisine: middle eastern
Ingredients: 1 cup large brown lentils (do not use split lentils) see notes; 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil; 2-3 fat shallots, thinly sliced ( or 1 red onion); 4 cloves garlic, rough chopped; 2 teaspoons cumin; 1 teaspoons coriander; 1 teaspoon allspice; ½ teaspoon cinnamon; ½ teaspoon turmeric, optional; ¼ teaspoon ground ginger; 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt; 1 teaspoon dried mint or parsley ( or use a tablespoon of fresh); lemon zest from one small lemon; 3 cups water (updated from 3 1/2 cups- see notes if using white rice); 1 cup brown basmati rice (rinsed and drained- see notes for white basmati rice)

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How to make Mujadara – a nourishing vegan meal of lentils and rice, infused with fragrant Moroccan spices, served with caramelized shallots and seasonal veggies. This recipe can be made in an Instant Pot or on the stovetop! Video.

How to make Mujadara -a flavorful, vegan Moroccan meal w/ lentils, rice & fragrant Moroccan spices. Can be made in the Instant Pot or stovetop.

Few desires, happy life. ~Moroccan Proverb

While in Morocco last winter, we hired a guide to take us high up into the Atlas Mountains to visit the beautiful old Berber villages. Our beautiful guide, Rachid was not eating meat during this time and would often stop at roadside cafes for a quick bowl of Mujadara- a simple, humble, nourishing meal of lentils and rice, seasoned with flavorful Moroccan Spices.

He described it as Moroccan comfort food – filling, nourishing and very affordable. The combination of spices is what turned this humble meal into something truly spectacular. And each bowl was a little different, depending on the town. Such flavor and aroma!

Mujadara Recipe | 60-sec video

ingredients in Mujadara

Of course when we got home, it was the first thing I replicated. So this recipe is straight from Morocco and I hope you enjoy it as much as we have!

Mujadara can be made either on the stovetop (see the recipe notes) or very quickly in an Instant Pot. Don’t skip the step of caramelizing the onions, they truly elevate!

I like to make a batch and have it in the fridge for midweek lunches. I thought my husband Brian would shun the Mujadara, but to my surprise, he happily gobbled it up and wanted seconds – always the true test!

Ingredients in Mujadara

brown lentils (do not use split lentils) see notes
olive oil
shallots, thinly sliced ( or 1 red onion)
4 cloves garlic, rough chopped
cumin
coriander
allspice
cinnamon
turmeric,
ground ginger
kosher salt
dried mint or parsley ( or use a tablespoon of fresh)
lemon zest
water
brown basmati rice

A Note on Lentils and Rice

If you use other lentils beside brown lentil (like small black or green ones) or different rice (like white basmati) you will have to adjust the liquid down a bit. Most Lentils take 9 minutes (unless they’re very small) to cook in the Instant Pot. White Basmati Rice takes 5 minutes in the Instant Pot .

That is why we use brown basmati rice here, because they take roughly the same amount to time to cook as the big brown lentils.

***The goal here is getting both lentils and rice to cook in the same amount of time, so neither is mushy. 🙂 Please refer to recipe notes!

Optional Garnishes for Mujadara

diced tomato
diced avocado
dark leafy greens
sprouts or microgreens,
sliced cucumber
pine nuts,
drizzle of olive oil,
yogurt or vegan yogurt
zhoug yogurt (amazing) or Harissa yogurt- see recipe notes.
tahini sauce
lemon wedges
fresh parsley
aleppo chili flakes

How to make Mujadara -a flavorful, vegan Moroccan meal w/ lentils, rice & fragrant Moroccan spices. Can be made in the Instant Pot or stovetop.

How to make Mujadara

The basic recipe for Mujadara is quick and easy, and can be made on the stovetop or in an instant pot.

Instant Pot Mujadara

Place lentils in a bowl and cover with hot tap water (or boiling water), letting them soak until time to add to the instant pot.
Set Instant Pot to Saute function. Saute shallots in the oil, 4-5 minutes, stirring constantly, until tender and fragrant and slightly caramelized. Remove half, saving for the topping. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Add all the spices, salt, lemon zest and water. Stir.
Drain the lentils and add them along with the rinsed rice to the instant pot. Give a good stir.
Cover the instant pot and set to High pressure for 11 minutes. Let naturally release for at least 10 minutes.
In the meantime, prep any garnishes you like.
To serve, gently fluff the Mujadara with a fork (do not over mix, or it will get mushy ). Divide among bowls, drizzle with olive oil, add tomatoes, avocado, caramelized shallots, sprouts, a spoonful of yogurt or zhoug yogurt, or tahini sauce – and fresh parsley or mint.

Stovetop Mujadara

If using large brown lentils, par-cook them in boiling water for 15 minutes.
While the lentils are boiling, heat oil in a dutch oven and cook the shallots, stirring often until golden and caramelized. Remove half and seat aside.
Drain the lentils and add them along with rice, spices, salt, water to the pot. Bring to a simmer, cover tightly and cook on low heat for 20-25 minutes.
Check to see if lentils and rice are tender. If not, continue to cook a few more minutes, adding more water if necessary. If using small black or green lentils, check cooking directions for cooking time – and adjust par cooking time according to the size of the lentil. For example, tiny black beluga lentils take 20 minutes to cook, so you would not need to par-cook.
While Mujadara is simmering prep any garnishes you like.
To serve, gently fluff the Mujadara with a fork (do not over mix, or it will get mushy ). Divide among bowls, drizzle with olive oil, add tomatoes, avocado, caramelized shallots, sprouts, a spoonful of yogurt or zhoug yogurt, or tahini sauce – and fresh parsley or mint.

Instant Pot Mujadara

Can Mujadara be made ahead?

YES! It is the perfect healthy thing to meal-prep for the week. It is easily reheated for easy healthy midweek meals. A healthy delicious base! Feel free to freeze Mujadara – it reheats well.

Can Mujadara be vegan?

Yes it is vegan! To keep this vegan, top with tahini sauce instead of yogurt. Or add avocado!

How to make Mujadara -a flavorful, vegan Moroccan meal w/ lentils, rice & fragrant Moroccan spices. Can be made in the Instant Pot or stovetop.

I love the warm, fragrant aroma of the lentils and rice, paired with the cool, crunchy raw veggies. Such great texture!

The addition of something creamy or rich like olive oil, tahini sauce or yogurt or zhoug yogurt(THE BEST) or even Harissa Yogurt ( mix harissa pasta yogurt together) really elevates.

Yes I realize these are not all “Moroccan sauces”, but they do taste good here. Just sayin’. 😉

An energizing healthy bowl!

IHow to make Mujadara -a flavorful, vegan Moroccan meal w/ lentils, rice & fragrant Moroccan spices. Can be made in the Instant Pot or stovetop.

The fresh herbs and olive oil really elevate the Mujadara, so don’t skip this step at the very least.

Instant Pot Mujadara - a comforting, healthy vegetarian meal of lentils and rice, with fragrant Middle Eastern spices, served with caramelized shallots, fresh veggies, pine nuts and optional yogurt. Gluten-free and Vegan adaptable. #mujadara #healthy #lentils #rice #instantpot #instapot #mujadararecipe

Moroccan Mujadara! A quick and easy vegan meal that is healthy, delicious, and easy- and can be made on the stove or an Instant Pot. You will love this! I promise!

xoxo

Sylvia