This authentic Lebanese Rice and Broken Vermicelli recipe delivers golden, fluffy perfection in 20 minutes! Just 5 ingredients for a crispy-toasted, fragrant side dish that pairs beautifully with grilled meats, stews, or our oil-free omelette. A family-friendly staple you'll make weekly!
🍚 Serves 4 | 🌿 Gluten-Free | ⏱ 20-Min Meal | 💰 Budget-Friendly
Rice and Broken Vermicelli is a classic dish made by toasting vermicelli and combining it with rice. It's seasoned with spices and often served as a side or main dish in many cuisines.
Lebanese rice is perfect for quick dinners and easy meals. Try it with garlic Boursin cheese chicken or simple Swedish meatballs. For a zesty twist, check out this lemon chicken recipe. Another great option is chicken with spinach and peppers.
Need easy meal ideas? Try creamy spinach pepper chicken or a quick potato and tuna dish. Make a healthy oil-free mayo for salads or sandwiches. For breakfast, cook a veggie-packed cabbage frittata or a simple potato frittata.
Impress guests with baked pears and gorgonzola or a light, easy turkey wonton recipe. For a filling meal, turkey mince noodles are a great choice. Check out these recipes for simple and tasty ideas!
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💗 Why This Recipe Works
- ✅ No Fail, Just Fluff
The paper-towel trick stops sogginess - every grain stays perfectly separate. - ✅ 5 Minutes = Big Difference
Letting it rest makes it lighter than takeout rice (but 10x more flavorful). - ✅ Cheap & Easy
Uses basic pantry staples - no fancy tools or ingredients needed. - ✅ Kid-Approved
My picky eater asks for seconds (and that's saying something!).
🍚 Ingredients
*See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
- Rice: Start with basmati rice that's been washed and drained.
- Vermicelli: Use some shortcut vermicelli.
- Butter and Olive Oil: A mix of butter and olive oil gives the rice a rich taste.
- Boiling Water: You'll need boiling water to cook the rice.
- Salt: Don't forget to add salt to taste.
♻️ Substitutions
- Rice: I often use jasmine rice when I want extra fragrance (the floral notes are divine).
→ Pasta hack: Can't find vermicelli? Broken spaghetti works perfectly - just toast it until golden. - Butter alternatives: Ghee or coconut oil work well.
- Oil options: Any neutral oil works (I usually grab sunflower oil from my pantry).
- For extra flavour: Swap water for vegetable broth - it gives the rice such a savoury depth.
💡 Have a specific food allergy?
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📋 5 Delicious Ways to Upgrade Your Rice
- I always add turmeric or cumin while cooking - it creates the most beautiful golden colour and makes your whole kitchen smell incredible.
- My protein secret: Stir in chickpeas for extra texture and nutrition (my kids love this version!).
- Right before serving, I finish with fresh lemon zest - that citrusy brightness cuts through the richness perfectly.
- For special occasions, I top with sun-dried tomatoes, olives and feta - the salty-tangy combo is absolute perfection.
- On chilly nights, a light dusting of curry powder adds just enough warmth without overwhelming the dish.
- Sometimes I'll sprinkle toasted pine nuts on top right before serving - gives it a nice little crunch and makes it feel fancy!
👩🍳 How to Make Lebanese Rice and Broken Vermicelli
Craving something comforting? Try making this Lebanese rice with vermicelli! It's a simple and delicious side dish that's quick to make and full of flavour. We'll guide you through each step, from toasting the vermicelli to fluffing the rice to perfection. Your kitchen will smell amazing as you cook!
Check out our easy-to-follow steps with photos to make it even simpler.
- Toast the Vermicelli: In a deep pan, heat butter and oil over medium heat. Once the butter melts, add the vermicelli and stir-fry until golden brown and fragrant.
- Add the Rice and Salt: Stir in the rice and salt, continuing to stir-fry until the rice becomes slightly crunchy and sticks together.
- Add Boiling Water: Pour in the boiling water, stirring gently to mix the water evenly with the rice and vermicelli.
- Simmer the Rice: Cover the pan with a lid, reduce the heat, and let the rice cook until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Rest and Fluff: After cooking, let the rice rest for a bit. Place paper towels under the lid to absorb moisture, then fluff the rice with a fork before serving.
💡 Pro Tips:
1️⃣ Let the rice sit covered for 5 minutes after cooking - this makes it fluffier!
2️⃣ Place 2 paper towels under the lid to soak up steam and prevent sogginess.
💭 Expert Tips
- Use long-grain like Basmati for the best texture.
- Rinse the rice well to remove excess starch.
- Sauté the rice in olive oil or butter for extra flavour.
- Toast vermicelli in oil until golden for authenticity.
- Cook with a 1:2 rice-to-water ratio or use broth for more flavour.
- Steam for 10 minutes after cooking to make it fluffy.
- Top with toasted nuts like almonds or pine nuts for crunch.
❓FAQs
Lebanese rice is a simple, cosy dish made with just a few basics: long-grain white rice, vermicelli noodles, and either butter, olive oil, or a mix of both. It's usually just seasoned with salt, but sometimes a little cinnamon gets added for extra warmth. It's super easy and goes with almost anything!
Broken vermicelli are short, tiny pieces of pasta made from 100% durum wheat semolina. You can use it in all kinds of dishes, from quick pastas to soups and even rice recipes. It's a great option if you're looking for something simple, and it's totally vegetarian-friendly too.
Vermicelli is a general name for thin, thread-like noodles, but not all vermicelli is the same. Rice vermicelli, also called rice sticks, is made from rice flour and water. It's usually an opaque white colour and turns soft once it's cooked.
This buttery Lebanese rice with vermicelli pairs perfectly with:
🍗 Creamy Garlic Chicken & Spinach
🍋 Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken
🥢 Crispy Honey Sesame Chicken
🐖 Sticky Soy-Glazed Pork Belly
🥕 Sweet Chili Vegetable Stir-Fry
🍳 Mediterranean Roasted Pepper Saksuka
Storage: Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating in the microwave: Place the portion in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat on high for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
Reheating on the stovetop: Add a splash of water or broth to the rice, and heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through.
If You Enjoyed This Recipe, You Will Love These Too
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📖 Recipe
Lebanese Rice with Vermicelli (Middle Eastern Pilaf)
Ingredients
- 1 cup basmati rice washed and drained
- 3 tablespoon shortcut vermicelli
- 1 tablespoon butter make it vegan: Swap butter for olive or coconut oil.
- 2 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
- 2.5 cups boiling water
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a deep pan, heat butter and oil over medium heat until the butter melts completely. Once melted, add the vermicelli to the pan and stir-fry them until they turn a light golden brown, emitting a nutty aroma.1 tablespoon butter, 2 tablespoon olive oil, 3 tablespoon shortcut vermicelli
- Next, add the rice and salt to the pan, stirring continuously to ensure that the vermicelli and rice are evenly mixed. Keep stir-frying until the rice grains start to stick together and become slightly crunchy, enhancing their texture and flavor.1 cup basmati rice, 1 teaspoon salt
- Once the vermicelli and rice are toasted to perfection, carefully pour in 2.5 cups of boiling water into the pan, taking care to avoid any splattering. Stir the mixture gently to incorporate the water evenly.2.5 cups boiling water
- Cover the pan with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Allow the rice and vermicelli to simmer gently until all the water has been absorbed and the rice is tender. This process typically takes about 15-20 minutes, depending on the type of rice used.
- Once the rice is cooked, turn off the heat and let the dish rest for an additional 15 minutes. This resting period allows the flavors to meld together and ensures that the rice is perfectly cooked through.
- To prevent any excess moisture from accumulating, place two layers of paper towels underneath the lid of the pan. The paper towels will absorb any condensation, leaving the rice and vermicelli perfectly fluffy and dry.
- After resting, fluff the rice and vermicelli with a fork to separate the grains and distribute the flavors evenly. Serve hot as a delicious and comforting side dish or enjoy it on its own as a satisfying meal.
Video
Notes
- Toast vermicelli slower than you think - wait until it's the colour of light honey (not just pale gold) for the best nutty taste. Almost burned = perfect flavour!
- Butter hack: If you're out of butter, use all olive oil but toss in a tiny pinch of sugar while toasting - mimics that caramelised richness.
- For extra fluffy rice: After turning off the heat, drape a clean tea towel over the pot before putting the lid on. The cloth soaks up steam better than paper towels.
- Leftovers: Next day? Fry cold rice in a hot pan with a drizzle of oil until crispy at the bottom - my kids call this "adult Rice Krispies."
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Oops fixes:
- Too crunchy? Sprinkle 2 tablespoon hot water over the top, cover, and wait 5 minutes.
- Bland? Stir in a knob of butter at the end - fixes everything.
- Bonus bling: Toss in a handful of raisins with the rice if you like sweet-savoury vibes (sounds weird, tastes amazing).
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To make it vegan:
• Swap the butter for extra olive oil (same amount) - it still gets beautifully golden!
• Or try coconut oil if you want a subtle sweetness (my Lebanese friend's trick). Bonus flavor: Add a pinch of smoked paprika when toasting the vermicelli - mimics that rich, buttery depth.
Claudia Ciorteanu says
My family loved this!
Tisha says
The combination of rice with vermicelli was a great idea! It turned out so well and was easy to cook. Love a quick recipe!
Elizabeth says
This is one of my favorite recipes! So easy to make and goes with just about everything. The best part is that my toddler loves it!
Amy says
This recipe was so easy to make. The rice came out so fluffy and went really well with my garlic chicken.
Ashley says
This is such a great side dish to make during the week, even to make rotisserie chicken feel special. Thanks for the great recipe!
Paula says
I love this combination of rice and vermicelli! This was incredibly flavorful and an incredible side!
Jaleah says
This pilaf was amazing!! Absolutely loved this recipe.
Claudia Ciorteanu says
My family loved this Lebanese Rice and Broken Vermicelli
!
Elizabeth says
We loved this simple side dish! Will definitely be adding to the weekly rotation!
Swathi says
Labenese rice pilav with rice and broken vermicelli is delicious perfect meal idea.
Nicole Kendrick says
This was so good! I love the texture of the vermicelli combined with the rice. This is my new favorite side!
Krystle says
Super easy and yummy side dish! Sometimes I replace the water with leftover broth too.
Alex L. says
Looks fantastic and seems so easy to make. Love it