A staple in Middle Eastern cuisine, Lebanese Rice Pilaf is made with vermicelli noodles toasted in clarified (rendered) butter.
I’ve mentioned it before, but I’ll say it again. I could eat Lebanese food everyday for the rest of my life. Today I thought I’d share a classic recipe, and one that is eaten often in my household: Lebanese Rice Pilaf with Vermicelli. Extremely simple, but tasty and satisfying, it’s a great entry recipe into the world of Middle Eastern food.
Ingredients
- White rice: I like to use long-grain, enriched white rice as it cooks to by nice and fluffy and has a low starch content.
- Clarified butter: Also called ghee, it tastes like butter with with a slightly nutty flavor.
- Vermicelli: A thin noodle similar to spaghetti, it commonly is browned or toasted before being cooked, and pairs well with rice.
- Salt & pepper: Simple seasoning that is all you need for this simple dish.
- Parsley: Freshly minced parsley is the perfect finish for this pilaf, as it’s clean, and somewhat peppery in taste.
How to make Lebanese Rice Pilaf
Start your Lebanese Rice Pilaf by rinsing your rice. You want to remove as much of the starch as possible, and rinse till the water runs clear.
Next, you’ll melt the clarified butter in a large pan over medium high heat.
Then add the broken up pieces of vermicelli to the pan.
Cook the dry vermicelli until golden-brown, being careful not to let them burn.
Add the dried rice and stir in with the vermicelli, letting the rice toast for a couple minutes.
Season the rice and vermicelli with salt and pepper.
Then add hot water to the pan. Bring to a boil, stir once or twice, then reduce heat to a simmer and cover with a lid. Let cook for about 15 minutes.
Remove from heat, then fluff with a fork before serving garnished with fresh parsley. Serve and enjoy your Lebanese Rice Pilaf!
Complimentary dishes
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the difference between rice and rice pilaf?
A pilaf usually just means the rice has been toasted in butter before cooking.
What kind of rice should I use for rice pilaf?
I like to use a long-grain white rice, but you could use whatever rice you have on hand, including brown rice.
How can I boost the flavor of this dish?
Cook the rice and vermicelli in chicken broth instead of water!
More Lebanese Recipes
- Lebanese Baked Fish with Tahini Sauce
- Classic Hummus with Toasted Pine Nuts
- Vegan Tomato Kibbeh
- Lebanese Potato Salad
Did you try this Lebanese recipe? The next time you make it, snap a picture and share it to your socials! Tag @thelemonbowl and #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share your dish.
Enjoy it on it’s own as a simple lunch or snack, or share it with the family as a part of dinner, either way my Lebanese Rice Pilaf is sure to be a hit.
Your fork is waiting.
Lebanese Rice Pilaf With Vermicelli
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups white rice (enriched parboiled long grain)
- ¼ cup clarified butter (homemade or store-bought ghee)
- ½ cup vermicelli pasta (broken in 2 inch pieces)
- 3 cups boiling water
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- minced fresh parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Place the rice in a fine mesh strainer and rinse thoroughly using your fingers to rub off as much starch as possible. You’ll know the rice is properly rinsed when the water comes out clear from the bottom. Set aside.
- In a large, deep pan heat the butter over medium heat until melted. Add the broken vermicelli pasta and brown, stirring frequently, until it is golden/dark brown. Be careful to not let burn – don't walk away from the pan. This takes about 4-5 minutes.
- Add rinsed rice to the pan and stir into the vermicelli and butter. Toast the rice for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Carefully pour boiling water into the pan and stir once. Add salt and pepper then stir again.
- Bring to a boil, stir once, then reduce heat to low and cover with a lid. Cook for 15 minutes.
- Remove pan from the heat and fluff rice with a fork before sprinkling with fresh parsley to serve.
LIZ, GREAT RECIPIE! HAVEN’T TASTED ONE AS GOOD AS THIS ONE….EXCEPT MY SITO’S, BUT SHE’S BEEN GONE FOR 40 YEARS. I’VE INHERITED THE TASK OF PROVIDING SYRIAN/LEBANESE DISHES TOO MUCH CHILDREN, GRANDCHILDREN AND NOW GREAT GRANDCHILDREN. NOW WORKING ON RECEPIES FOR SHUNKCLESH..WISH ME LUCK, BEST REGARDS,
DAN ASSAD
Oh my goodness thank you so much I’m so happy to hear that!!
I don’t use pepper and instead of water I
Use chicken broth
Nice idea!!
We are Armenian but my mom is from Lebanon. This is a staple in our house! But my daughter keeps telling me I need to keep practicing because it’s not quite like grandmas ha! When I was growing up my “American” friends would come over and flip for this pilaf…….thanks for sharing :)
I’m so glad you love it!!! :)
Your recipe brought such wonderful memories! My grandma and my mom use to make it however they use regular butter and it was delicious. I’m going to try with ghee and I’m sure it will be much better. Thanks so much!
Oh that makes me so happy!!! Enjoy Niki!
My mother in law Mrs. Oscar Metry taught me everything I know, She was born in Lebanon and I can tell you that your rice pilaf is right on. So many cooks books fail to tell you to wash the rice and use boiling water. So grateful to find The Lemon Bowl.
Oh that makes me so happy!!! Thank you so much for letting me know!!
Stumbled across your site while looking for a recipe for Lebanese rice. I made it last night and everyone loved it. The tips on ghee and browning were critical, great photos. “So that is what makes the rice so good at Shawarma restaurants,” said my cousin. Something I did differently was that after washing the rice, I cooked it in a rice steamer while I was browning the vermicelli. Then I stirred in the cooked plain rice and browned it in the ghee and the whole thing maintained its “crunch.” I think this will be a new standard at our place.
Wow thank you so much – I truly appreciate your feedback! Let me know if you try any of my other Lebanese recipes!
“Would this work with brown rice? I’m diabetic, and really have to limit my consumption of refined grains.”
I’m diabetic also and have to both skip white (“polished”) rice and add as much fiber as possible. Is it possible to modify this recipe for brown rice without ruining the basic quality of the dish?
Thank you.
Hi Lynn – Yes you can definitely make it with brown rice!
Thank you for recipe. Where are the pine nuts snoobar (is that correct)?? Was trying to get correct word(s) and pronunciation for Chicken and Rice in Lebanese. Love your sight.
YES!! My family calls it snooba!! Thank you for your nice words Joyce :)
I made this recipe last night, along with the five ingredient slow cooker beef and eggplant. The ghee made a big difference and added to the unique taste of the rice. Although this recipe doesn’t involve a lot of steps, it’s definitely one, at least for a beginner like me, that requires focus and swiftness. For my first try, this recipe came out pretty good, but will continue to get better with practice. I really enjoyed making (and eating!) this rice pilaf.
The ghee is truly what makes it stand apart. You’re right it does take a bit of timing but it gets easier!
OMG, my whole life my mom and all my cousins called pine nuts “snowballs” Is this what my grandparents were saying??? Snooba
Oh I love that so much!! YES!! “SNOOBA!!”
I love the tutorial so much! There is a Mexican dish that toasts the same way and it is very particular, just as you made it! Plus, I love love love this recipe. Yum.
Oh really?? That’s so cool to know!! Thank you Fabiola!
I love reading your posts. You all have such rich food history and I love this recipe!
Awww thank you so much for reading them, Carrian. Let me know if you ever try this rice – I bet your family would love it!!
Love that family picture! This rice looks wonderful…love the toasted vermicelli…I have never made rice this way.
Aww thank you. Family is the best!! Let me know if you ever try toasting it – it really makes a huge difference.
I love this post, Liz. And this rice!
Aww thank you Brenda! Let me know if you ever try the rice!!
I couldn’t imagine being far away from my mom for a long period of time, so I totally get it! Love that you guys have passed on so many family heirloom recipes from generation to generation. They’re all gems!
I love that you understand. :-) Thank you so much friend.
I married into a Lebanese family over 26 years ago and so much of what you share on your blog I’ve had the good fortune of eating at my mother-in-law’s kitchen table. This recipe looks divine – and what we all especially love is the browned vermicelli! Love your blog! Thank you!
I didn’t realize that!! I’m so glad you like the recipes!!
I really love that you gave us the secrets! Thanks for sharing the love. Can you use chicken stock in place of water to make this?
Yes absolutely!!! Chicken stock will add great flavor, for sure.
Being in the kitchen with family is such a special time for memory making! Love the sound of this rice pilaf!
It really, truly is Jessica. Thank you!!
Love all the contrasting colors and textures. Swoon!
Yes!! You’d love this one Sommer!!!
I am so intrigued by this recipe. The idea of some good crunch in my rice is making me want to make this right away.
I should clarify – it’s not really crunchy at all but the toasting of the vermicelli gives it a really aromatic, nutty and toasted flavor that is to die for. Worth every calorie!
Wow does this recipe look awesome Liz! And I too moved from across the country to be closer to family, there’s just something great that happens when you can get together on a frequent basis :)
Awww I didn’t know you did too!! That’s so cool!
I want to shove this into my face….right. meow.
I can’t wait to give you a squeeze in two weeks! Meow.
Liz your lebanese rice pilaf looks absolutely perfect!
I usually make mine in butter but I can definitely see how ghee would bring a more nutty flavor to the rice. Also, love the guide on browning the vermicelli. It took me a while to figure out that I wasn’t browning it enough.
Thank you so much Marzia!! Yes ghee adds so much flavor and aroma. Thanks again! :)