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    You Are Here Home » Assyrian Recipes

    Published: Nov 21, 2017 Updated: Sep 11, 2022 by Hilda Sterner | This post may contain affiliate links 5 Comments

    Assyrian Vermicelli Rice

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    vermicelli rice pin

    Vermicelli Rice is a staple in the Assyrian diet and is served as a side with most meals. It is so much better than plain rice and tastes buttery, nutty, and simply amazing! It is one of the most popular rice dishes throughout the Middle East and is served with stews, kababs, and salads.

    a spoonful of vermicelli rice over a pot of rice

    Sometimes called Lebanese rice, or Arabic rice, Vermicelli rice is one of my favorite Assyrian rice dishes. It is also a popular rice dish in Syria, Turkey, Egypt and throughout the Mediterranean region.

    Jump to:
    • 🧐 Why This Recipe Works
    • 🛒 What Goes Into This Recipe
    • 🔖 Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
    • 🥣 How to Make Vermicelli Rice
    • 🥘Serving Suggestions
    • 🤷🏻‍♀️Recipe FAQs
    • 🍚 Basmati vs Jasmine Rice
    • 👩🏼‍🍳 Pro Tips
    • 🍽Related Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    🧐 Why This Recipe Works

    • This is an easy recipe to master, as long as you resist the urge to add more water than the recipe calls for.
    • Rice and vermicelli noodles are both a pantry staple, at least in a Middle Eastern pantry, so it's a great recipe to prepare when you need a quick and easy side dish.
    • When you toast vermicelli noodles, it really brings out their nutty flavor. This makes the rice delicious as is, but even better when smothered with stew, or sprinkled with sumac and topped with kabobs.
    • This dish can be served with Middle Eastern chickpea salad for a quick vegetarian meal.

    🛒 What Goes Into This Recipe

    vermicelli rice ingredients labeled

    🔖 Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

    • Rice: My favorite rice for preparing this dish is Jasmine rice. However, basmati rice can also be used.
    • Vermicelli Noodles: Vermicelli noodles or pasta sometimes come in coils, while at other times they come in 2"-3" sticks. Either will work.
    • Water: I usually use water to make rice, however, vegetable or chicken broth are both excellent options. Just keep in mind that broth is sometimes seasoned, so you may want to use less salt.
    • Oil: Feel free to use whatever oil you prefer including extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil.

    🥣 How to Make Vermicelli Rice

    Step 1: Add vegetable oil and vermicelli to a medium-sized saucepan. Toast vermicelli over medium heat, until the vermicelli noodles are golden brown. Be careful not to burn them. They can go from perfect to burned in a matter of seconds.

    vermicelli noodles being fried
    fried vermicelli noodles

    Step 2: Wash and drain rice then add to the same saucepan. Add Butter and mix to combine.

    rice and vermicelli noodles
    vermicelli rice in a pot with butter

    Step 3: Add hot water and salt and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then cover and cook for 20 minutes. Stir the rice half way through. Fluff the rice and serve with lamb shish kabobs, stew, or chicken. 

    water being poured over rice
    vermicelli rice being cooked
    vermicelli rice being spooned out of the pot

    🥘Serving Suggestions

    Vermicelli rice is delicious enough to serve as is, but there are so many other serving suggestions. In the Middle East, this dish is often served with stew, with Fasolia being one of the most popular choices. If you're looking for a vegetarian option, give this Lebanese kidney bean stew (from Janelle at PlantBasedFolk) a try!

    Assyrian vermicelli rice is also a perfect side for kofta kabob, barbecued sumac chicken and Middle Eastern salad.

    🤷🏻‍♀️Recipe FAQs

    What is vermicelli rice made of?

    Vermicelli rice is made with a combination of fried vermicelli noodles cooked with tender jasmine or basmati rice.

    Is vermicelli the same as rice?

    Vermicelli is a noodle, so no, it's not the same as rice. In fact, the word "vermicelli" actually means "little worms" in Italian.

    Is vermicelli a rice or pasta?

    Vermicelli noodles come in a few different varieties, some are made with rice, while the one used in vermicelli rice are actually pasta noodles. One popular variety is made with durum flour, which is commonly used to make semolina and other types of pasta.


    Is vermicelli rice healthy?

    Although vermicelli rice is a great source of energy to fuel your day or a great workout, it can hinder your weight loss efforts since it's carb-dense and has a high starch content. For this reason, vermicelli rice should be enjoyed in moderation.

    🍚 Basmati vs Jasmine Rice

    Most Middle Eastern families and restaurants, for that matter, cook with basmati rice. Basmati rice comes from India and is very fragrant. In fact, in Hindi, "basmati" means "fragrant." Basmati is thinner and longer in appearance than jasmine and is considered a long-grain white rice.

    The difference in appearance between these two types of rice is more evident once they're cooked. When cooked, jasmine is stickier than basmati and smoother in texture.

    Grown primarily in south-east Asia, jasmine rice, which is also a long grain rice, is also considered a fragrant rice. Try both to make this dish and see which one you prefer, but as for me and mom, jasmine wins every time!

    👩🏼‍🍳 Pro Tips

    • Some people like soaking the rice in water for 10 to 15 minutes before cooking it. This softens the rice, so I personally don't think it's necessary.
    • Always fluff rice with a fork before serving.
    • Sprinkle with chopped Italian parsley for a pretty presentation. Or use other green leafy vegetables or herbs as a garnish on the side.
    • Sprinkle vermicelli rice with toasted pine nuts and raisins and serve with smoked chicken thighs for an extra treat!
    • Leftovers can be stored in airtight containers for up to a week and heat up nicely in the microwave.
    vermicelli rice in a pot

    🍽Related Recipes

    • chilifry over rice with a blue napkin and a pan on the side
      Iraqi Beef Chilifry (Sauteed Meat & Vegetables)
    • instant pot rice
      Assyrian Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
    • bulgur pilaf in a plate with kotletai
      Healthy Bulgur Pilaf Recipe (Assyrian Pirda)
    • dill rice
      Edamame Dill Rice (Persian Rice)

    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.

    Stay in touch with me through social media @ Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook. Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

    📖 Recipe

    rice being spooned out of pot

    Assyrian Vermicelli Rice

    Assyrian Vermicelli Rice is a staple in the Middle Eastern diet. It's usually served alongside stews, kabobs, chicken, or by itself. 
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Dish, Side Dish
    Cuisine: Assyrian, Middle Eastern
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 2 servings
    Calories: 236kcal

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (or olive oil)
    • ¼ cup vermicelli noodles
    • 1 cup jasmine rice
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • 1¼ cups hot water (or broth)
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt

    Instructions

    • Add vegetable oil and vermicelli to a medium-sized saucepan. Toast vermicelli over medium heat, until the vermicelli noodles are golden brown. Be careful not to burn them. They can go from perfect to burned in a matter of seconds.
    • Wash and drain rice then add to the same saucepan. Add Butter and mix to combine.
    • AAdd hot water and salt and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then cover and cook for 20 minutes. Stir the rice half way through. Fluff and serve with Lamb Shish Kabobs, stew, or chicken. 

    Notes

    • Some people like soaking the rice in water for 10 to 15 minutes before cooking it. This softens the rice, so I personally don't think it's necessary.
    • Always fluff rice with a fork before serving.
    • Sprinkle with chopped Italian parsley for a pretty presentation. Or use other green leafy vegetables or herbs as a garnish on the side.
    • Sprinkle vermicelli rice with toasted pine nuts and raisins and serve with smoked chicken thighs for an extra treat!
    • Leftovers can be stored in airtight containers for up to a week and heat up nicely in the microwave.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 236kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 1165mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0g
    Tried this Recipe? Please leave A Star Rating!Mention @HildasKitchenBlog or tag #HildasKitchenBlog!

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    1. Nadira Shaikh says

      July 16, 2022 at 3:09 am

      This is a great change to my boring rice. Thanks Hilda

      Reply
      • Hilda Sterner says

        July 16, 2022 at 3:22 pm

        You're welcome, enjoy!

        Reply
    2. Sheila Tong says

      March 12, 2022 at 5:13 pm

      5 stars
      This is a great change to my boring rice. Thanks Hilda

      Reply
      • Hilda Sterner says

        March 12, 2022 at 7:20 pm

        Thanks, Sheila! So glad you liked it! Check out my chickpea rice and edamame dill rice too, they're also really good.

        Reply
        • Sheila says

          April 20, 2022 at 4:59 pm

          I will thanks

          Reply

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