Onion Lentils and Rice

Hearty, flavorful, and irresistibly aromatic, Onion Lentils and Rice is the perfect one-pot dish for comfort food lovers and health-conscious eaters alike. This Middle Eastern-inspired recipe combines tender brown or green lentils, fluffy basmati rice, and deeply caramelized onions for a rich and satisfying meal. Enhanced with warm spices like cumin and cinnamon, every bite is infused with earthy, smoky undertones. With a cooking time of just 40 minutes, it’s a simple yet impressive dish that works beautifully as a vegetarian main course or a hearty side. Serve it warm, topped with fragrant parsley, for a wholesome meal packed with protein, fiber, and bold flavor.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Brown or green lentils
• 3 cups Water
• 1 cup White or basmati rice
• 3 large Onions
• 4 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1.5 teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the lentils thoroughly under cold water and pick out any small stones or debris. Set aside.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, add the lentils and 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the lentils are just tender. Drain any excess water and set the lentils aside.

Step 3

While the lentils are cooking, rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps remove excess starch and keeps the rice from clumping.

Step 4

Peel and thinly slice the onions into half-moons.

Step 5

Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes, or until they are deeply browned and caramelized. Remove half of the onions from the skillet and set aside for garnish.

Step 6

To the remaining onions in the skillet, add the rice and stir to coat it in the oil and onions. Cook for 1-2 minutes.

Step 7

Add the cooked lentils to the skillet with the rice and onions. Stir to combine.

Step 8

Pour in 2 cups of water, then add the salt, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, and black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed.

Step 9

Remove the skillet from heat and let it sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes. Fluff the rice and lentil mixture with a fork.

Step 10

Transfer the lentils and rice to a serving dish and top with the reserved caramelized onions. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

Step 11

Serve warm as a main or side dish. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1731 grams (1731.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1216

Total Fat 58.40g	75%
Saturated Fat 9.30g	47%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.40g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3579mg	156%
Total Carbohydrate 145.20g	53%
Dietary Fiber 27.00g	96%
Total Sugars 35.20g
Protein 28.70g	57%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 235mg	18%
Iron 11mg	59%
Potassium 1798mg	38%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 43.0%

Protein: 9.4%

Carbs: 47.6%