Lebanese Rice with Lamb
Long-grain rice cooked with tender braised lamb, scented with cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg — finished with toasted pine nuts and almonds. The everyday celebratory dish of the Lebanese table.
Cook this hands-free
All 214 Sofra recipes are free in the app, with hands-free Cooking Mode and the original oud music by Charbel Rouhana.
Get Sofra on Google Play →Ingredients
- 500 g bone-in lamb pieces (shoulder or leg)
- 2 cups long-grain white rice
- 4 cups water (from lamb broth)
- 1 medium onion
- 1 stick cinnamon
- 1 tsp allspice (seven spice mix)
- 0.25 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp pine nuts
- 2 tbsp blanched almonds
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Boil the lamb pieces in a large pot with the onion, cinnamon stick, allspice, nutmeg, and salt. Cover with water and simmer for 35–40 minutes until the lamb is just tender.
- Remove the lamb and set aside. Reserve the broth.
- Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
- In a heavy-bottomed pot, combine the rinsed rice with 4 cups of the warm lamb broth. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to the lowest setting, cover tightly, and cook for 18–20 minutes until the rice has absorbed all the broth.
- Meanwhile, toast the pine nuts and almonds in butter in a small pan over medium heat, stirring constantly until golden.
- Rest the rice off the heat for 5 minutes before uncovering.
- Mound the rice onto a wide serving platter. Arrange the lamb pieces over the top. Scatter the toasted nuts generously.
- Serve immediately with cucumber-yogurt salad on the side.
Hear every step read aloud
Step-by-step voice narration guides you hands-free. Faten's Idlib recipes carry her own Syrian-Arabic narration. Charbel Rouhana's original oud plays during Cooking Mode.
Get Sofra on Google Play →Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lebanese Rice with Lamb?
Long-grain rice cooked with tender braised lamb, scented with cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg — finished with toasted pine nuts and almonds. The everyday celebratory dish of the Lebanese table.
Where is Lebanese Rice with Lamb from?
Lebanese Rice with Lamb comes from Lebanese Coastal. Sofra documents this recipe as part of its 214-recipe Lebanese and Syrian heritage collection, including 49 dishes from Idlib province.
Is Lebanese Rice with Lamb vegetarian?
No — as written, Lebanese Rice with Lamb includes meat, fish, or meat-based stock, so it is not vegetarian. See the ingredient list for the specific ingredients used.
What can I use instead of cinnamon in Lebanese Rice with Lamb?
The cinnamon called for here is part of the traditional recipe and gives Lebanese Rice with Lamb its authentic character, so keep it if you can. If you must substitute, choose the closest equivalent you have on hand and adjust to taste — the dish will shift slightly from the traditional version but still work. The Sofra app lists the full ingredient set and sourcing notes.
What do I serve with Lebanese Rice with Lamb?
In a Lebanese mains spread, Lebanese Rice with Lamb is typically served with rice or warm flatbread, a simple salad such as fattoush or tabbouleh, and pickles or yogurt on the side.
Can I make Lebanese Rice with Lamb ahead, and how do I store leftovers?
Yes — leftovers keep well stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few days. Reheat gently (or bring to room temperature for cold dishes) and taste to adjust seasoning before serving. Dishes with fresh herbs or dressing are freshest the day they are made.