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Home » Main Dish

December 24, 2021

Mujadara Hamra (Reddened Lentils and Bulgur)

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When it comes to one of the most traditional lentil dishes, you should try making “Mujadara Hamra” at least once in your lifetime. Mujadara is a specialty of South Lebanon. It is inexpensive, healthy, delicious, vegan, and nutritious!

The blend of lentils, crispy caramelized onions, and bulgur will bring out a sweet flavor and fill your kitchen with a delicious aroma that will invade the neighborhood!


A Tasty Vegetarian Meal

Mujadara is a Middle Eastern lentils and bulgur recipe made with caramelized onions. To prepare this simple, protein-packed vegan meal, you need only 3 ingredients.
This is one of the most delicious dishes you’ll ever try!

This authentic Mujadara recipe is my go-to dish when I need a meatless meal. It only has three ingredients, but it is amazing how they come together with perfect harmony!


What is Mujadara Hamra?

Mujadara Hamra,” which translates to “Red Lentils,” is a signature dish from South Lebanon. Mujadara gets it’s dark brown color from the caramelization of onions. To give the lentils a nice texture, cracked wheat (bulgur) is traditionally added.

This dish is also known as “meat of the poor,” and it is frequently prepared by people of all social classes, owing to its nutritional value, which is comparable to that of meat. This dish can be served hot or cold, with a side of salad or cucumber and yogurt.


Mujaddara Ingredients

Brown Lentils: Traditionally, brown lentils are used in the recipe. Most grocery stores, especially health food stores like Whole Foods or Sprouts, should have them. However, avoid using red lentils because they tend to become very soft and mushy when cooked. In this mujadara (mudardara) recipe, you want the lentils to stay whole and intact.

Cracked wheat (bulgur): Using bulgur results in a soft, chewy texture. It also makes the dish much more filling, making this the perfect complete meal.

Red or white onions:You will need a lot of onions for this recipe! You can use red or white onions; however, it’s preferable that you use red onions a when making “Mujadara Hamra.”


Mujadara Hamra Vs. Mujadaret Roz

Mujadara is served in a variety of ways and has different names depending on where you are in the Middle East. Mujadara Hamra, Mujadara safra, Mujadarah Makhbousa, and Mujadaret Roz, and Mudardara are all types of Mujadara.

The traditional Lebanese mujadara (Mujadaret Roz) is made with lentils and rice, and is topped with caramelized onions, which are an essential part of the dish.   

On the other hand, “Mujaddara Hamra,” which translates as “Red Lentils,” is made by cooking lentils with a lot of onions until they are dark but not burnt. To give the lentils a nice texture, coarse bulgur is traditionally added.

Both types of Mujadara are a very good source of protein and fibers and deserve to be kept in your regular recipe rotation!


Why Should You Incorporate Lentils into Your Diet?

Lentils are loaded with B vitamins, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. They are also a good source of plant-based protein and fiber.

Among lentils’ many beneficial properties are their polyphenols, which have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as well as the ability to inhibit cancer cell growth.

Lentils may also benefit your heart by promoting weight loss, preventing homocysteine buildup, and improving cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

Lentils contain 25% protein, making them an excellent meat alternative.

They are also simple to prepare; they don’t even need to be soaked. Simply rinse them before cooking.


What is Bulgur Wheat?

Bulgur or burghul is made from cracked whole-grain wheat kernels that are parboiled and dried before packaging. Thus, they cook more quickly than other varieties of whole wheat such as wheat berries (the raw variety), or freekeh, (the kernels from young green wheat that are cracked but not cooked). 


Where to Buy Bulgur Wheat?

  Bulgur wheat is available in most health food stores. Check out the bulk foods section, or the baking aisle with other whole grains. Bulgur wheat can also found in the international foods section, near the hummus and falafel mixes, since it’s used in a variety of regional Middle Eastern foods. Burghul is also available online.


The Key to Achieving Perfectly Caramelized Onions

Mujadara gets its dark brown color from the caramelized onions. When you caramelize onions, you need to be patient and not to fry on the hottest setting.

The key to caramelizing onions is to use a large saucepan. The wide base allows your onions to cook without crowding, so the water released as they soften evaporates (if this does not happen, the onions will steam rather than caramelize) and you won’t have crispy onions.

Another trick is to slice the onions into thin strips (half a centimeter) and cook for a few minutes on high medium heat, then reduce to low heat for the remainder and mix around every few minutes.


Frequently Asked Questions

How to Serve Mujadara Hamra?

You can serve it with pita bread, tomato wedges, sliced onions, radishes, and pickles, or with a green salad or Fattoush, and you’ll have a thoroughly satisfying meal.

Can I make Mujadara with different colored lentils?

It isn’t recommended because the outcome will be completely different. Other types of mujadara, such as mjadara safra, use different colored lentils (yellow variety).

How to pronounce Mujadara?

Mujadara is pronounced mu-jd-dara in English. Mujadara can be spelled mjadara, mejadara, madadarah, or moujadara depending on which dialect of Arabic you speak.

Should I soak lentils before cooking?

Lentils don’t require soaking. Rinse lentils in cold water before cooking, then pick over to remove any debris or shriveled lentils.

What’s the difference between bulgur and cracked wheat?

The major difference between cracked wheat and bulgur is that bulgur is parboiled during the processing process. As a result, it cooks quickly and stays fresh for a long time.

Can you freeze Mujadara?

YES! I place it in an air tight container and freeze it. Once ready to eat, I allow it to defrost for about 15 minutes, reheat in a pot on medium heat with about 3 tablespoons of water until warm. You can also heat in the microwave. Lasts in freezer for about 1 month.


Top Tips

It is important to cook the lentils correctly. Lentils vary in cooking time depending on the type of lentil you use.

Mujadara hamra is traditionally made with brown lentils, but it can also be made with green lentils!

it’s preferable that you use red onions a when making “Mujadara Hamra.”

Caramelizing the onions to a dark golden color is an important step because it gives the dish a full flavor. Just make sure not to burn them.

Mujadara is best served warm, however can be eaten cold.

Use a thick bottom pot; a thin pot will burn the bottom and turn the mjadara mushy.


Ingredients for Mujadara Hamra

  • brown lentils
  • white or red onions; cubed
  • canola oil/peanut oil
  • burghul or quinoa
  • water
  • 7 spices (optional)
  • Salt (to taste)
  • olive oil

How to Make Mujadara Hamra

  • First, wash and drain the lentils then boil the lentils for 10 minutes on high heat
  • Dice about 8-10 medium sized onions
  • In a large pot add 4 cups canola oil, the cubed onions on high heat ( We will eventually drain all this oil and toss out). Fry on high heat until the onions and oil are very dark in color, stirring occasionally. It takes about 30-40 minutes for the onions to turn dark brown in color.
  • Once onions are crispy and dark in color, drain from the oil
  • Place the onions back into the pot and the cooked lentils, ½ cup olive oil, bulgur, salt, 7 spices, water and mix.
  • Bring the water to a boil and cover the pot. Simmer for about 20 minutes or until the water has completely evaporated. Let the cooked lentils rest for 10 minutes before you gently fluff and serve. Serve with your favorite raw veggies, salad, yogurt, radish, or pickles

More Recipes You Must Try

Pea and Carrot Stew (Bazella W Roz)

Lebanese Lentils and Rice Recipe (Mujadaret Roz)

Durum Wheat Chicken Soup Frikeh

The Best Chicken Healing Soup

Carrot and Sweet Potato Thai Soup

Red Lentil Soup

Freekeh with Beef Shanks

Lemon Mint Garlic Chicken Stew

The Best American Beef Goulash

Cauliflower Tahini Bake


Mujaddara Hamra

Mujadara Hamra (Reddened Lentils and Bulgur)

Lama
When it comes to the best lentil dish, you should make "Mujadara Hamra". Mujadara is a specialty of South Lebanon. It is inexpensive, healthy, delicious, vegan, and nutritious!
5 from 7 votes
Print Recipe Comment Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
40 mins
Total Time 1 hr 20 mins
Course dinner, lunch, Main Course
Cuisine Middle Eastern
Servings 12 servings
Calories 794 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 (14 oz) bags brown lentils
  • 8 white or red onions cubed
  • 4-5 cups canola oil or peanut oil
  • ½ cup coarse bulgur or quinoa
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon 7 spices
  • ½ tablespoon salt to taste
  • ½ cup olive oil

Instructions
 

  • First, wash and drain the lentils then boil the lentils for 10 minutes on high heat
  • Dice about 8-10 medium sized onions
  • In a large pot add 4 cups canola oil, the cubed onions on high heat ( We will eventually drain all this oil and toss out). Fry on high heat until the onions and oil are very dark in color, stirring occasionally. It takes about 30-40 minutes for the onions to turn dark brown in color.
  • Once onions are crispy and dark in color, drain from the oil
  • Place the onions back into the pot and the cooked lentils, ½ cup olive oil, bulgur, salt, 7 spices, water and mix.
  • Bring the water to a boil and cover the pot. Simmer for about 20 minutes or until the water has completely evaporated. Let the cooked lentils rest for 10 minutes before you gently fluff and serve. Serve with your favorite raw veggies, salad, yogurt, radish, or pickles

Notes

Top Tips

It is important to cook the lentils correctly. Lentils vary in cooking time depending on the type of lentil you use.
Mujadara hamra is traditionally made with brown lentils, but it can also be made with green lentils!
it’s preferable that you use red onions a when making “Mujadara Hamra.”
Caramelizing the onions to a dark golden color is an important step because it gives the dish a full flavor. Just make sure not to burn them.
Mujadara is best served warm, however can be eaten cold.
Use a thick bottom pot; a thin pot will burn the bottom and turn the mjadara mushy.

Nutrition

Calories: 794kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 2gFat: 84gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 22gMonounsaturated Fat: 54gTrans Fat: 0.3gSodium: 299mgPotassium: 144mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 3IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 0.5mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Julia says

    December 27, 2021 at 10:25 pm

    5 stars
    Such a delicious way to use red lentils as an ingredient – I can’t wait to give this a try!

    Reply
  2. Lamis says

    January 01, 2022 at 10:09 pm

    5 stars
    Excellent recipe and a taste of childhood. Thank you! Will make again and again❤

    Reply
    • Lama says

      January 03, 2022 at 6:11 pm

      This is an all time childhood recipe for many! Happy you enjoyed it 🙂

      Reply
  3. Shirin says

    January 05, 2022 at 9:33 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve been married for 10 years and never tried to make mujadara because i always thought it’s very difficult and takes time. After i read your recipe i was encouraged and tried it a couple of days ago. I was really amazed by the result! Thank you for the detailed steps.

    Reply
    • Lama says

      January 22, 2022 at 2:14 pm

      Mission accomplished!!! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Shireen says

    January 17, 2022 at 8:59 pm

    5 stars
    Love this mjaddara recipe. Perfect for meatless days with fattoush salad. Yummy

    Reply
  5. Marie says

    February 05, 2022 at 9:57 pm

    5 stars
    This is excellent! Thank you so much for your detailed recipe. I cannot wait to make it again. This will be added to our regular rotation. Served it with salad. Delicious!!!

    Reply
    • Lama says

      February 08, 2022 at 3:15 pm

      This has to be one life saving eggplant hack 🙂 You’re welcome!

      Reply
  6. Maha says

    February 18, 2022 at 10:10 pm

    5 stars
    Made this and turned out amazing. It was mich easier than i had expected!!

    Reply
  7. Lulu says

    June 17, 2022 at 11:51 pm

    You should specify what size burghul to use there are 3 sizes

    Reply
    • Lama says

      June 18, 2022 at 2:02 pm

      You are right! I adjusted that! Thanks you so much for the heads up 🙂

      Reply

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I'm Lama, welcome to my blog where you will find simple and diverse recipes your entire family will enjoy. My passion for cooking began after I got married when I challenged myself to prepare Thanksgiving dinner. With the help of my mom over the phone, I was so proud it turned out successful! Today, I share my passion across many social platforms like Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest! I am honored to connect with you through the recipes I prepare! about me!

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