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Lebanese Rice Pilaf With Vermicelli

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LIZ DELLA CROCE

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A staple in Middle Eastern cuisine, Lebanese Rice Pilaf is made with vermicelli noodles toasted in clarified (rendered) butter.

Spoonful of lebanese rice pilaf with vermicelli.

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. This dish is flavorful on its own but served with pork or chicken for extra protein is one of my favorite ways to enjoy it. Another complimentary dish to this is my Lebanese Green Beans. Extremely simple, but tasty and satisfying, it’s a great side dish recipe that lets you experience the taste 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

Step 1. Rinse your rice. You want to remove the excess starch, so rinse till the water runs clear.

Step 2. Next, melt the clarified butter in a large pan over medium high heat.

Step 3. Then add the broken up pieces of vermicelli to the pan.

Step 4. Cook the dry vermicelli until golden-brown, being careful not to let them burn.

Step 5. Add the dried rice and stir in with the vermicelli, letting the rice toast for a couple minutes.

Step 6. Season with salt and pepper, then add water to the pan. Bring to a boil, stir once, then reduce heat to a simmer and cover with lid. Let cook about 15 minutes.

Lebanese rice pilaf with vermicelli.

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 rice, but you could use whatever rice you have on hand, including brown rice.

What is the difference between vermicelli and regular noodles?

In the US, vermicelli noodles are very thinner, thinner than spaghetti even. They are usually made from maida flour, but you can get vermicelli rice noodles as well and keep it gluten-free.

More Lebanese Recipes

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Liz eating Lebanese rice pilaf.

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.

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Lebanese Rice Pilaf With Vermicelli

4.40 stars average
Liz Della Croce
A staple in Middle Eastern cuisine, Lebanese Rice Pilaf is made with vermicelli noodles toasted in clarified (rendered) butter.
PREP: 5 minutes
COOK: 15 minutes
TOTAL: 20 minutes
Pin
Servings6

Recipe Video

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.

Last Step:

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Liz’s Notes

Cook the rice and vermicelli in chicken broth instead of water to boost the flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 309kcal | Carbohydrates: 51.5g | Protein: 5.6g | Fat: 8.3g | Saturated Fat: 4.9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.4g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 585mg | Fiber: 1.5g | Sugar: 0.7g


4.40 from 48 votes (27 ratings without comment)

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84 responses to “Lebanese Rice Pilaf With Vermicelli”

  1. Danpabeariel Avatar
    Danpabeariel

    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

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Oh my goodness thank you so much I’m so happy to hear that!!

  2. Mary J. Ayoub Avatar
    Mary J. Ayoub

    I don’t use pepper and instead of water I
    Use chicken broth

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Nice idea!!

  3. Brigitte Yeranossian-Ozanian Avatar
    Brigitte Yeranossian-Ozanian

    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 :)

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I’m so glad you love it!!! :)

  4. Niki Avatar
    Niki

    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!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Oh that makes me so happy!!! Enjoy Niki!

      1. Diana Metry Eppens Avatar
        Diana Metry Eppens

        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.

        1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
          Liz DellaCroce

          Oh that makes me so happy!!! Thank you so much for letting me know!!

  5. Tony Michel Avatar
    Tony Michel

    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.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Wow thank you so much – I truly appreciate your feedback! Let me know if you try any of my other Lebanese recipes!

  6. Lynn A Avatar
    Lynn A

    “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.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Hi Lynn – Yes you can definitely make it with brown rice!

  7. Joyce Bodway Avatar
    Joyce Bodway

    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.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      YES!! My family calls it snooba!! Thank you for your nice words Joyce :)

      1. Sally Avatar
        Sally

        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.

        1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
          Liz DellaCroce

          The ghee is truly what makes it stand apart. You’re right it does take a bit of timing but it gets easier!

      2. patricia hauff Avatar
        patricia hauff

        OMG, my whole life my mom and all my cousins called pine nuts “snowballs” Is this what my grandparents were saying??? Snooba

        1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
          Liz DellaCroce

          Oh I love that so much!! YES!! “SNOOBA!!”

  8. fabiola@notjustbaked Avatar
    fabiola@notjustbaked

    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.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Oh really?? That’s so cool to know!! Thank you Fabiola!

  9. carrian Avatar
    carrian

    I love reading your posts. You all have such rich food history and I love this recipe!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      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!!

  10. Aggie Avatar
    Aggie

    Love that family picture! This rice looks wonderful…love the toasted vermicelli…I have never made rice this way.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Aww thank you. Family is the best!! Let me know if you ever try toasting it – it really makes a huge difference.