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This Perfect White Vermicelli Rice dish is a beloved staple in Middle Eastern cuisine. It starts with lightly toasting vermicelli noodles until they reach a rich golden brown. The toasted noodles are then combined with white rice and simmered, allowing the flavors to meld as they cook to fluffy perfection. The result is a versatile, fragrant side dish that pairs beautifully with various stews, grilled meats, or roasted vegetables.
Rich and Fluffy White Vermicelli Rice
White vermicelli rice is not a mere side dish; it is a symbol of comfort and love. As a kid, the smell of perfectly toasted vermicelli would fill the home, signaling the preparation of vermicelli rice with a delicious stew.
I tried to learn my mother’s secret of perfectly cooked rice to keep the family rituals. But I realized that it’s not about the ingredients; it’s about the love and patience you put into it.
A few favorite stews (or what we call yekhni in Arabic) that are perfect with a side of rice include Mloukhieh with Chicken, Hearty Kafta and Potato Stew, Lemon Mint Garlic Chicken Stew, and many other of your favorites like Peas and Carrots Stew or Cauliflower Stew!
Table of Contents
- What Makes Vermicelli Rice Special
- Ingredients Needed to Make Vermicelli Rice
- Step-by-Step Process for Making the Perfect White Vermicelli Rice
- Variations and Substitutions
- How to Serve Vermicelli Rice
- Pro Tip
- Storage of White Rice with Vermicelli
- Tips for the Perfect White Vermicelli Rice
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- More Recipes You Should Try
- Lebanese White Vermicelli Rice Recipe
Recipe Overview
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Cooking Method: Toasting and simmering
Skill Required: Beginner-friendly
Signature Taste: Rich and slightly buttery
Diet Info: Vegan, Gluten-free, Dairy-free
What Makes Vermicelli Rice Special
Special Dish: Rice is one of the most loved and cooked side dishes on Earth! In fact, rice is one of the most important food necessities and a staple on nearly all continents. Mixing plain rice with the toasted vermicelli adds a nutty richness to a simple dish, elevating it into something more sophisticated and satisfying.
Perfect Pairing: White vermicelli rice is the perfect complement for a wide range of main courses. It pairs with meat, roasted vegetables, or hearty stews enhancing the flavors of anything it accompanies. A crowd-pleaser in family dinners and happy gatherings!
Special Diet Friendly: White vermicelli rice is perfect if you are following a special diet. So, if you are looking for a vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free dish, you must try making the white vermicelli.
Simple Ingredients: All you need is rice, vermicelli noodles, and some oil. With simple ingredients from your pantry, you will get a flavorful dish. No matter how busy your day is, rive with vermicelli noodles is a reliable go-to dish you can whip up in less than 30 minutes.
Ingredients Needed to Make Vermicelli Rice
Rice: I used Royal Basmati long-grain white rice for this recipe. Other types of long-grain rice you can use include white rice, Basmati rice, or Jasmine Rice. If you don’t have long-grain rice you can opt for Italian or Egyptian rice but water measurements and cook time may change.
Cooking Oil: I used Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) in this recipe. The oil is used to sauté’ the vermicelli noodles. It can also be replaced with butter or ghee for a nice, rich flavor. I splurge and use butter on occasion, especially if I have guests visiting.
Vermicelli Noodle: Vermicelli Noodles are key in this recipe. This type of noodle is very thin and you can purchase it at many grocery stores or Middle Eastern stores near you. You can use angel hair pasta or Capellini noodles if you can’t find Vermicelli in the grocery stores.
Water: Middle Eastern women have an old-school set measurement for cooking rice: 2 cups water for every 1 cup of rice. In my cooking research, I’ve learned that most cultures and cuisines call for the same ratio!
Step-by-Step Process for Making the Perfect White Vermicelli Rice
Measure out long-grain rice.
Pour water over the rice in a bowl.
Drain water.
Wash the rice well.
Drain excess water.
Measure out vermicelli noodles.
Prepare the oil in the pot.
Sauté vermicelli until golden.
Add the drained rice to the pot with vermicelli.
Add salt.
Cover the pot and let it simmer.
Rice is ready to be served.
Serve white vermicelli rice warm with toasted slivered almonds on top.
Variations and Substitutions
Feel free to add your touch to the white vermicelli rice to suit different tastes. Here are a few suggestions:
Vermicelli Rice with Spices: You can add a spice touch. Sprinkle cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, or cloves over the vermicelli while toasting them. Enjoy a fragrant warm taste of rice!
Vermicelli Rice with Nuts: Once the rice is ready, toss some toasted slivered almonds or pine nuts for a slight crunch. For a hint of sweetness, you can add golden raisins on top of your dish.
Vermicelli Brown Rice: If you are looking for healthier options, you can opt for brown rice. It has a nutty flavor that perfectly pairs with the toasted vermicelli.
How to Serve Vermicelli Rice
Lebanese White Vermicelli Rice is so simple to make and a staple in Middle Eastern Cuisine. In fact, White Vermicelli Rice is popular on its own, with a side of laban (yogurt) or salad, and most traditionally next to, at the base of, or on top of a stew.
A few favorite stews (or what we call yakhni in Arabic) that are perfect with a side of rice include:
Pro Tip
It’s usually noted that 1 cup of rice will need between 15 to 17 minutes on low heat to cook. If you feel the rice is cooked well enough around the 15-minute mark, but there’s still a bit of water at the bottom of the pot, you can turn off the stove and cover the pot. The remaining water will be absorbed slowly in the remaining two or three minutes on its own. Then you can fluff your rice gently with a fork to prevent clumping.
Storage of White Rice with Vermicelli
Refrigeration: You can store the rice in the fridge, but allow it to cool to room temperature first to prevent condensation in the container. Store it for up to 5 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
Freezing: Once rice cools to room temperature, transfer it to a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container. It’s better to portion it into meal-sized amounts. Freeze it for up to 1-2 months.
Reheating: One of the easiest ways is to microwave it. You put the remaining rice in a microwave-safe bowl and drizzle a little bit of water on top. Then add a damp paper towel over the rice to help keep it from drying out and heat it to desired warmth. You can also do a stovetop, on low heat by adding a bit of water before heating it.
Tips for the Perfect White Vermicelli Rice
Toast Carefully: Stir vermicelli noodles continuously while toasting because they can burn quickly. So, keep a close eye until they get a nice golden brown. You don’t want to end up with dark brown or burnt vermicelli.
Rinse Well: To ensure the rice grain comes out fluffy instead of sticky, you have to wash the rice well until you remove the excess starch. Soaking the rice 5-15 minutes before cooking helps the rice grains cook evenly.
Fluff the Rice: After cooking, allow the rice to settle with the lid on for a few minutes. Then, gently fluff the rice using a fork.
Substitute Vermicelli Noodles: If you’re pressed for time and can’t find the noodles on hand, fry a handful of rice in oil or butter until golden as a substitute for vermicelli. Of course, this is more to add the golden color to the rice but obviously won’t substitute for the flavor of the noodle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Vermicelli is very similar to angel hair pasta, but angel hair is much thinner. Angel hair is made from durum semolina flour while vermicelli is refined flour or rice. Vermicelli is a bit thicker than angel hair and is used more in Asian and Middle Eastern dishes while angel hair is traditionally used more in Italian dishes.
You can use angel hair pasta or capellini noodles if needed.
Unfortunately, you can do nothing to fix it. This happens if you use too much water. However, for future attempts, you have to adjust the quantity of water. Make sure you drain the soaked drive well before cooking.
Make sure you cook rice on low heat once it comes to a boil. Cooking vermicelli rice in a thick-bottomed or non-stick pan is also a good idea to prevent burning the rice bottom. You can also add a little more oil or butter before adding water.
More Recipes You Should Try
- Chipotle Rice Bake
- Wild Rice Recipe
- Flavorful Garlic Butter Rice
- Layered Rice Veggie Pilaf with Chicken Thighs (Chicken Kabsa)
- Mansaf (Lebanese Rice with Meat)
Lebanese White Vermicelli Rice
Equipment
- medium pot
Ingredients
- 2 cups long grain white rice
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup vermicelli noodles
- 3 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- ½ tablespoon salt , to taste
Instructions
- Soak the rice in warm water for about 5-15 minutes, depending on how much time you have. Be sure to wash and drain your rice until the water runs clear to remove the starch
- In a medium pot, heat your EVOO oil or butter, then add in the vermicelli noodles. Stir until they are golden in color. Add in the soaked and drained rice to the pot, continue to mix on high heat for another minute.
- Add in the 4 cups of water and salt. Allow the water to come to a boil and leave it to boil on high for a good 2 minutes.
- Lower the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-17 minutes.
- Turn off heat. Allow rice to rest for 10 minutes before you fluff it with a fork so it doesn't clump up.
