Vermicelli Rice, also known as Lebanese Rice, is an extremely popular Middle Eastern side dish that pairs fabulously with all your favorite meals! It combines toasted vermicelli rice with Basmati rice, butter, and olive oil for a rich, savory dish that’s versatile and easy to make.
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What Is Vermicelli?
Vermicelli, pronounced “verm-uh-chell-ee” is a type of long, strand pasta that originates in southern Italy and is used in a wide variety of recipes across the globe. It is made from Durum wheat semolina and eggs.
In Italy, vermicelli noodles are thicker than
What Is Vermicelli Rice?
Also known as Lebanese rice or ruz ma shareeyah, vermicelli rice is a type of rice pilaf that is made with Basmati rice and toasted vermicelli noodles and seasoned with salt. It’s commonly used in soups and stews and is also served as a side dish with a variety of main courses.
What’s the Difference Between Rice Noodles and Rice Vermicelli?
The primary difference between the two is what they’re made of. For instance, vermicelli noodles are made from maida flour while rice noodles are made with rice flour.
In addition, vermicelli noodles are round in shape, similar to
Is Vermicelli Rice Good for You?
We wouldn’t exactly quality vermicelli rice as being a healthy recipe, but as far as side dishes go, it’s not bad! Made with a handful of ingredients, it provides some healthy fats and filling carbs.
What Is Vermicelli Rice Made Of?
You might be surprised to learn that such a rich dish can be created with just a handful of ingredients, but it’s true! Just six ingredients are all we use.
- Rice – Uncooked long-grain rice like Basmati or Jasmine is best. Just be sure to rinse it under water until the liquid runs clear!
- Vermicelli Noodles – Make sure they’re uncooked.
- Water – Used to boil the ingredients.
- Salted Butter – If preferred, ghee can be used instead.
- Olive Oil – Combined with the butter to enhance the flavor and help create a crisp texture.
- Sea Salt – Adjust to taste.
How to Prepare Your New Favorite Side Dish in 30 Minutes!
Vermicelli rice is made in the same way you would cook rice with just a couple extra steps to make it even more delicious!
- Toast. Melt the butter and olive oil together in a pot over medium heat. Then, add the noodles, and let them cook stirring constantly until they’re lightly toasted. Be careful not to let them burn!
- Sauté. Add the rice to the pot, and sauté, stirring continuously.
- Boil. Add the water and salt, and increase the heat to high. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to low, and cover the pot.
- Cook. Allow the mixture to simmer until the liquid is absorbed. Fluff the vermicelli rice with a fork, and enjoy warm!
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How to Store and Reheat
Vermicelli rice is a great addition to your
- To Store: Transfer the mixture to an airtight container, and store it in the fridge for up to one week.
- To Reheat: Add a bit of water to a small saucepan, and heat it up along with the leftover vermicelli rice to freshen it back up.
- We don’t recommend freezing this recipe as it’s likely to become a bit mushy once thawed!
Serving Suggestions
Vermicelli rice is savory yet fairly neutral in flavor making it the perfect accompaniment to a variety of dishes like stews, soups, and meats. Some of our favorite pairings include:
- Marry Me Chicken
- Middle Eastern Chicken and Potatoes
- Madras Chicken Curry
- Black-Eyed Pea Stew
- Pea and Carrot Vegetarian Stew
Common Questions About This Vermicelli Rice Recipe
Sure! Toast the brown rice as usual, and adjust the amount of water and cooking time according to the package instructions.
Make sure to rinse off the extra starch! Then, be sure to let the mixture simmer until the liquid has evaporated, and fluff it with a fork or rice paddle.
Absolutely! Feel free to mix and match and seasonings you like best. The addition of cinnamon sticks, cardamom, bay leaves, or whole cloves makes for a great way to boost the flavor.
No, vermicelli rice isn’t gluten-free as it made from wheat-based vermicelli noodles that contain gluten.
More Rice Recipes
Looking for more rice recipes that are anything but boring? Try out more of our flavorful options below!
- Easy Persian Rice (Tahdig)
- Persian Jeweled Rice
- Egyptian Baked Rice (Roz Maamar)
- Slow Cooker Coconut Sticky Rice
Vermicelli Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter or ghee
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ cups uncooked vermicelli noodles
- 3 cups long grain rice rinsed and drained
- 4 cups water
- 2 teaspoons sea salt or to taste
Instructions
- In a pot over medium heat, melt butter with the olive oil.2 Tablespoons unsalted butter or ghee, 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- Add the vermicelli noodles, and cook, stirring constantly just until they begin to brown. Be careful not to let them burn!1 ½ cups uncooked vermicelli noodles
- Add the rice, and sauté for an additional minute, stirring continuously.3 cups long grain rice
- Add the water and salt, and increase the heat to high. Once the water starts to boil, reduce the heat to low, and cover.4 cups water, 2 teaspoons sea salt or to taste
- Cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is tender.
- Fluff with a fork or rice paddle.
- Store in an airitght container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Equipment
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I don’t cook my rice like this often so when I do it’s like a little treat because of how delicious it is. I could literally just eat spoonfuls as is (and that’s exactly why i don’t make it much haha)
Followed this recipe and it turned out PERFECT!
We’re so glad! We’ve been guilty of eating it by the spoon, too. 😆
Xo,
Alia & Radwa