Vermicelli Rice, is a staple side dish in Lebanese households. With just three simple ingredients, it's effortless to prepare. Featuring soft and buttery vermicelli noodles intertwined with perfectly cooked grains of rice
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[feast_advanced_jump_to]What Is Vermicelli Rice?
Vermicelli rice, often called Lebanese rice, is also known as Middle Eastern rice, Arabic rice, or rice with vermicelli, Lebanese noodle rice...
In Arabic, it is referred to as Riz Bi Sha'rieh. "Riz" translates to "rice," "bi" means "in," and "Sha'rieh" translates to "hair," referring to the vermicelli pasta used in the dish.
But Why The Name "Vermicelli Rice"?
The name stems from the characteristic feature of pan-fried golden brown vermicelli pasta. These thin strands of pasta, resembling miniature spaghetti, lend their name to the dish.
Typically served as a side dish, rice with vermicelli adds a delightful texture and flavor to so many foods such as stews, curries, braised vegetables, and more.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This traditional Lebanese rice recipe is incredibly versatile, making it a perfect side dish for almost any meal.
Every Lebanese parent knows this simple rice pilaf is a hit with kids! And it's not hard to see why – its buttery, flavorful taste stands out on its own. As a child, I used to mix it with plain yogurt and thoroughly enjoy it. My son followed suit, and now I witness my nephews and nieces doing the same.
Say goodbye to bland side dishes of plain rice. You'll notice I feature this recipe extensively throughout Plant Based Folk, showcasing its deliciousness and adaptability.
Ingredients You'll Need
Notes on some of the ingredients, the full list of ingredients and their measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
White rice it's best to use a long grain rice such as basmati or jasmine rice. I find basmati the best as the rice grains always cook perfectly every single time. Avoid using short-grain rice, these are too starchy.
Vermicelli pasta aka angel hair or capellini pasta is vital to creating a true vermicelli rice, the pasta is crushed by hand into small pieces. If you are on a vegan diet be sure to check the ingredients don’t contain egg. Another recipe for using this ingredient is this deliciously easy vermicelli soup.
Butter or olive oil are traditionally used, but I prefer to use a dairy-free butter if not using oil. This is essential for browning the vermicelli and infusing that iconic buttery flavor into this Lebanese vermicelli rice dish. Optionally, you can combine the oil and butter.
How To Make Vermicelli Rice
Rinse
Rinse the rice in cold water until it runs clear before cooking this will help to expel excess starch.
Caramelize the Vermicelli
Heat the butter (or olive oil) in a pot over medium-high heat. Add crushed vermicelli and continuously stir until golden brown. As soon as it turns golden, add rice immediately. This will help diffuse the heat.
Cook
Stir through the rinsed rice to the toasted vermicelli coating it with butter or oil. Next, add water and salt (to taste). Bring it to a boil and then turn the heat to low and allow cook for about 10 minutes.
Steam
Once cooked, turn off the heat and allow the pot of cooked rice and vermicelli to stand (covered) for about 5 minutes and then fluff with a fork and serve. This steam will ensure a fluffy rice.
Note The cooked vermicelli will mostly sit on the top when this dish is done. This is normal and is mixed through when fluffing.
Pro Tips
The rice-to-water ratio is always 1 cup of rice to 1 ½ cups of water.
The richer the golden hue of the pasta, the more intense the flavor becomes. It's worthwhile to aim for a deep golden brown color (not too brown). When frying vermicelli, ensure you keep a close eye on it and stir continuously, as it tends to heat up rapidly and can easily scorch towards the end.
Serving Suggestions
Lebanese cuisine is filled with wholesome stews that are married with this vermicelli rice recipe, such as Lebanese kidney bean stew fasolia - super easy to make and very filling, it's the perfect comfort food.
Or these are commonly paired;
Lebanese Spinach Stew Sabanekh wa Riz - a lovely and light spinach stew.
Bamia - Okra Stew - A Lebanese stew in a tomato sauce.
Lebanese peas and carrots stew called bazella w riz.
FAQ
Angel hair pasta or capellini pasta make great alternatives. However, depending on which country you are located in, some of these pasta may be referred to each other interchangeably.
Yes, simply allow it to cool to room temperature before storing it in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to five days. Reheat as needed.
No, rice with vermicelli isn’t gluten free. As the vermicelli is made from wheat which contains gluten.
No, vermicelli pasta and vermicelli noodles are two different foods. Pasta is generally made of wheat and noodles are made of rice. Vermicelli noodles will not yield the same result.
Similar Lebanese Recipes
This famous Mujadara Lebanese rice recipe is my family's version and it is a must-try!
This Lebanese spiced rice is filled with vegetables and topped with toasted nuts, it's a favorite that is consistently praised for it's flavors.
A similar dish is bulgur with vermicelli. It's the same except it uses bulgur instead. Or try this bulgur pilav which can be enjoyed as a main.
If you like rice dishes, you'd like my rice and chickpea salad, it's a good option for when you want a quick healthy meal.
- Vegetable Maklouba Without Meat (Makloubeh)
- Vegan Brown Rice and Chickpea Salad
- Lebanese Vegan Stuffed Capsicum With Rice
- Stuffed Silverbeet (Mahshi Selek)
Did you make this? I'd love to know! Leave me a comment below with a ★★★★★ rating or tag @plantbasedfolk on social media.
Lebanese Vermicelli Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup Basmati Rice or any long grain white rice.
- ½ cup Vermicelli Pasta or angel hair pasta
- 1½ tablespoon Olive oil or dairy free butter
- ½ teaspoon Salt or to taste
- 1½ cups water or make sure the water line is about 2 cm above the rice
Instructions
- Rinse the rice under cold water to expel excess starch until the water runs clear, drain and set aside.1 cup Basmati Rice
- Heat the olive oil in a pot over med-high heat. Add crushed vermicelli and continuously stir until golden brown.1½ tablespoon Olive oil, ½ cup Vermicelli Pasta
- Add the rinsed rice and stir through, coating it with the buttered vermicelli. Add water and salt. Bring it to a boil and then turn the heat to low and allow to cook for about 10-12 minutes. Once the rice is cooked, allow it to sit (covered) for about 10 minutes (see notes below), and then fluff with a fork and serve.½ teaspoon Salt, 1½ cups water
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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