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Home » Recipes » Egyptian Rice

Egyptian Rice

Published: Jun 3, 2021 · Modified: Jun 3, 2021 by Farah Abumaizar · 10 Comments

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Bowl of egyptian rice with vermicelli in a tan bowl

This is a classic Egyptian Rice, a short grain rice with vermicelli that gives you delicious fluffy rice perfect as a side dish for many Middle Eastern dishes.

What is Egyptian rice?

Egyptian rice is a white short to medium grain rice very commonly consumed in the Middle East, usually cooked with vermicelli.

It’s the side dish served with many common Middle Eastern stews, and comes together very easily.

It’s one of two types of rice very frequently prepared in the Middle East, with the other being Basmati rice.

Why should you make this rice?

top shot of vermicelli Egyptian rice in a tan bowl with a kitchen towel

It’s a foolproof, really simple recipe. By going with a low water to rice ration (1:1), you ensure you don’t get sticky, gluey rice. Also, using this simple ratio makes it easier to halve or double the recipe depending on your requirements.

The rice is fluffy, soft and a really great accompaniment to any main dish. The vermicelli gives really nice visual appeal, and a little extra flavor and texture.

Kids will love this, mine love that this is a little sticker than basmati rice, kind of reminiscent of Jasmine rice.

It’s basically 2 ingredients, plus salt and oil. Simple!

Ingredients you need to make Egyptian rice:

ingredients needed to make vermicelli rice

Egyptian rice

Vermicelli– I usually get the vermicelli that’s already broken up into 1/2 inch pieces, but if you get the longer vermicelli, you can easily break it up with your hands before cooking.

Salt- A healthy pinch, one to soak the rice with, and another to add flavor to the rice

Oil- Usually ghee or vegetable oil is used to fry the vermicelli and toast the rice, I used vegetable oil.

Water- As mentioned earlier, a 1:1 ratio of water to rice.

How to make this rice:

collage of all the steps needed to make Egyptian rice
  1. It’s as simple as first soaking the rice in room temperature water with salt, enough water to comfortably cover the rice.
  2. Drain the rice well, and rinse the rice thoroughly until the water runs clear.
  3. In a large saucepan, add the vegetable oil on medium high heat until hot, then add the vermicelli, and pan fry for a few minutes until golden brown, watching carefully because vermicelli can burn quite easily.
  4. Add the drained rice, and toast for a few minutes until rice turns opaque. This is another step that helps guard against sticky rice, because it gets rid of extra starch.
  5. Add the water and the salt, stir to combine, bring to a boil then reduce temperature and simmer 15-20 minutes until all the water is absorbed.
  6. Remove rice from the heat and let stand for 10 minutes, then fluff with a fork. Enjoy!

What to serve this rice with:

kebbe billaban with a bowl of vermicelli rice on the side

Anything really! Any stew or curry or sauce based main dish would work well. You can also serve it as a side to chicken, meat, etc.

Try some of these Middle Eastern stews:

Bamia- Middle Eastern Okra Stew

Lebanese Spinach Stew

Mulukhiya (Jew’s Mallow)

Fasoolia Baida- White Bean Stew

Storing leftover rice:

Store leftover rice for up to two days before reheating. You can either reheat in the microwave, or in a saucepan on the burner over low heat with the cover on.

bit pot of cooked vermicelli rice with a fork stuck in it

If you liked this recipe, you might like:

Vermicelli Rice

Tuna Rice Salad

Halal Guys Chicken and Rice

Lebanese Chicken and Rice

Egyptian Rice

A traditional way of preparing short grain rice with vermicelli, very commonly consumed in the Middle East
5 from 5 votes
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 180kcal
Author: Farah Abumaizar

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Egyptian rice
  • 2-3 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup vermicelli noodles, broken into small pieces
  • 2 cups water
  • big pinch of salt

Instructions

  • Soak the rice in water with a pinch of salt for about 20-30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly until water runs clear. Set rinsed rice aside.
  • Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Once hot, add the vermicelli and toast for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Watch carefully as vermicelli can burn easily.
  • Once vermicelli has toasted, add the rinsed rice, stir to combine the rice and vermicelli together and toast until the rice turns opaque, a couple minutes, stirring throughout.
  • Add the water to the top of the rice. It should just cover the rice by about 1/2 inch or so, if you need to you can add another splash of water. Add the salt, and stir again.
  • Bring the rice water mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 15-20 minutes or until all the water is absorbed.
  • Once rice has cooked through and water is absorbed, remove from the heat but leave covered for another 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, remove the lid, and fluff the rice with a fork and serve.

Video

Notes

You can add more or less vermicelli according to preference. You can also add a little knob of butter inside the pot to coat the rice for a little extra flavor.
By soaking the rice a little, you’ll eliminate the need to add too much water while cooking the rice, because Egyptian rice can easily become mushy and sticky. This recipe functions with a 1:1 rice and water ratio.
 
For another version of vermicelli rice with basmati rice, try this recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 180kcal
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Caroline says

    June 03, 2021 at 1:56 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve had a dish like this before and really enjoyed it so I’m so glad to see this recipe to give it a try. I don’t remember seeing Egyptian rice in the store but will definitely be on the look out, looks great.

    Reply
    • Farah Abumaizar says

      June 05, 2021 at 8:21 am

      It’s very similar to standard short grain rice! Thanks Caroline!

      Reply
  2. Beth Sachs says

    June 03, 2021 at 1:12 pm

    5 stars
    This Egyptian rice is the perfect side to lamb and apricot tagine! So easy too!

    Reply
    • Farah Abumaizar says

      June 05, 2021 at 8:21 am

      Yes! Sounds delightful

      Reply
  3. Louise Cayzer says

    June 03, 2021 at 1:07 pm

    5 stars
    What a delicious and new (to me!) way of preparing rice. Can’t wait to try it with some of your delicious sounding stews too.

    Reply
    • Farah Abumaizar says

      June 03, 2021 at 3:57 pm

      Thanks so much Louise! Appreciate that!

      Reply
  4. Jac says

    June 03, 2021 at 11:26 am

    5 stars
    This recipe is similar to rice-a-roni which my kids love so I know they will enjoy Egyptian rice with their veggie curry later, Was wondering if you can add a flavouring such as spices. What would you suggest? Thanks 🙂

    Reply
    • Farah Abumaizar says

      June 03, 2021 at 12:31 pm

      Yes! I would suggest a sprinkle of turmeric powder, and ground cardamom for a little kick

      Reply
  5. Beth says

    June 03, 2021 at 9:30 am

    5 stars
    This rice looks so delicious and tasty. So excited to make this soon. Perfect side for our dinner tomorrow night!

    Reply
    • Farah Abumaizar says

      June 03, 2021 at 12:31 pm

      So glad it’ll come in handy!!

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Farah! I've been cooking and baking most of my life. I love Middle Eastern food, and decadent breakfast and desserts. Welcome to my food world!

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