Rice With Vermicelli

Get
FREE
Recipes!

Get My Favorite Recipe

Make this easy and delicious rice vermicelli dish in no time! All you need is a package of rice vermicelli noodles, olive oil, and ghee. This side dish pairs well with practically any entrée, and it takes just a few minutes to prepare to make it the perfect addition to any meal.

Rice with vermicelli is a significant part of Middle Eastern cuisine and one of the most common rice dishes. It is made with long-grain rice and vermicelli noodles, first toasted in ghee. The fried golden vermicelli noodles glow beautifully, making the rice look special. The toasted flavor also gives the rice a nutty taste, elevating the dish.

In Arabic, this rice dish is called RUZ MA SHARREH, which directly translates to rice with vermicelli. In Jordan, my mom would cook rice nearly four times a week. We would eat vermicelli rice pilaf with bamia with lamb, roasted chicken, or a delicious dish called molokhia, jute mallow leaves with shredded chicken.

What is Vermicelli?

Vermicelli is a short, thin spaghetti-like noodle that is a yellowish color. Even though it is similar in thickness to angel hair pasta, it is much more straightforward. It can be found in most pasta sections at the grocery store. You can always break up angel hair pasta pieces if you are still looking for vermicelli at the store. To make vermicelli rice, the vermicelli needs to be toasted in a pan with olive oil and ghee to get more flavor. Vermicelli noodles are also commonly used in soups.

Recipe Variations

Water or broth: You can use either water or broth to cook your rice vermicelli, but using broth will add more depth and complexity to the dish. If you have broth on hand, it’s a great way to use it up and enhance the flavor of your rice vermicelli. However, if you don’t have broth, water also works fine.

Salt and spices: If you’re using unsalted butter, you may need to add a pinch of salt to the rice to enhance its flavor. However, if you’re using salted butter, you might not need to add salt. As for spices, it’s a matter of personal preference for me. Add cinnamon, turmeric, cardamom, or any other spice you like to your rice vermicelli to create a flavor profile that suits your taste. Adjust the seasoning to your liking and enjoy your personalized Middle Eastern-inspired dish!

Olive oil, ghee, butter: This dish traditionally uses ghee to add a slightly nutty flavor to the rice. However, butter is a good substitute if you don’t have ghee. You can also mix these fats and adjust the amounts to your liking. To make your own ghee, check out my blog for a step-by-step guide.

Optional nuts or dried fruit: To add your twist to this dish, sprinkle some chopped nuts or dried fruit on top of the rice before serving. Just be sure to adjust the seasoning accordingly, as adding nuts or dried fruit may change the overall flavor profile of the dish. Almonds, pistachios, raisins, and dried cranberries are all excellent options that pair well with the flavors of this Middle Eastern rice vermicelli.

Tips for the Best Middle Eastern rice with vermicelli

  • To make the best fluffy and non-sticky rice, You should wash the rice a few times to remove the starch. You can use your finger to move the rice around while cleaning until the water becomes clear.
  • You can decide how much vermicelli you want to use. My husband like having many tiny noodles in the rice, so I usually add extra ones. To preserve all the flavors, toast the vermicelli in the same pot you will cook with.
  • When cooking the vermicelli, stir it frequently, as it will quickly burn if you are not paying attention. You can decide how dark you want the vermicelli to get. The color will change from light brown to dark brown. The darker the vermicelli is, the nuttier it will taste.
  • After the rice is ready, always use a fork to fluff the rice. A spoon will smush the grains together, making mushy rice instead of keeping the vermicelli rice individual grains.

What Should I Serve Vermicelli Rice With?

Rice with vermicelli is a simple rice dish with light ghee and olive oil flavors, making it easy to pair with many other Middle Eastern dishes. Here are a few examples of meals and side dishes that Vermicelli rice can be served. Check them out for some inspiration:

Also, check out my other Rice recipes, the Yemini-style basmati rice,  Green lemon-yellow rice. And my easy  Mediterranean rice bowl with zaatar and feta

Ingredient List

Preparation

1.
Thoroughly wash the rice. Soak the rice with room temperature water for at least 20 minutes before cooking. Drain the rice and have it ready before you start the next step.
Mark as complete
2.
Add the vermicelli noodles and stir them frequently so it does not burn. TIP: It will brown quickly, so make sure you closely watch the stove.
Add olive oil and ghee or butter to the pot you will cook your rice. Let it melt before you toast the vermicelli noodles.

Mark as complete
3.
If the noodles are ready, could you quickly add the rice? Season the rice with salt and mix it with a fork.
Add the water depending on the amount of soaked rice you use. I used 2 cups of water for every cup of rice. I bring the water to a boil, then cover the pot and lower the heat. The rice should simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, and try not to open the pot while cooking.
Mark as complete
4.
When it’s done, please turn off the heat and let it sit for another 10 minutes to allow the steam to work its magic.
Now your vermicelli rice is done! Uncover the pot and fluff the rice with a fork. Enjoy!
Mark as complete

Please Support The SiteHome Cooking is Easy!With These Minimalist Kitchen Essentials

Ingredients:

Adjust Servings
2 cups jasmine rice
1 cup vermicelli noodles
4 cups warm water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon ghee or butter
Dash of salt

Preparation

1
Thoroughly wash the rice. Soak the rice with room temperature water for at least 20 minutes before cooking. Drain the rice and have it ready before you start the next step.
2
Add the vermicelli noodles and stir them frequently so it does not burn. TIP: It will brown quickly, so make sure you closely watch the stove. Add olive oil and ghee or butter to the pot you will cook your rice. Let it melt before you toast the vermicelli noodles.
3
If the noodles are ready, could you quickly add the rice? Season the rice with salt and mix it with a fork. Add the water depending on the amount of soaked rice you use. I used 2 cups of water for every cup of rice. I bring the water to a boil, then cover the pot and lower the heat. The rice should simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, and try not to open the pot while cooking.
4
When it’s done, please turn off the heat and let it sit for another 10 minutes to allow the steam to work its magic. Now your vermicelli rice is done! Uncover the pot and fluff the rice with a fork. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips & Suggestions

How to Store Leftover Rice with Vermicelli

Leftover rice should be stored in an air-tight container, and it can be kept in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. To reheat the rice, splash some water on top of the rice and place a damp paper towel over the bowl before microwaving to keep the moisture of the rice. Microwave the rice for 20-30 seconds at a time until the rice is warm. You can also heat the rice by putting it in a pan and splashing some water over it. It is crucial to add water to your rice to keep the texture light and fluffy.

Rana’s Notes!

Note that 2 cups of uncooked jasmine long grain rice will typically yield around 4 cups of cooked rice. However, keep in mind that the exact yield may vary depending on factors such as cooking method and the amount of water used. Adjust the amount of rice you cook based on your family size and serving size needs. When cooking 2 cups of rice, we recommend using a pot that is at least 2 quarts (or 4-6 cups) in size to ensure that the rice is cooked perfectly.

Nutrition Information

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
See our full nutrition disclosure here.

Have You Tried This Middle Eastern Recipe?

If So, Mention Us @ranasrecipe

Or Use Hashtag #ranasrecipe

Let’s Start Cooking With Love!

Tell Me How I’m Doing?

Have you made this delicious rice and vermicelli recipe? Please feel free to leave a comment below. I love to hear from you.

1 Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *