Perfect Pairings: 10 BEST Side Dishes to Serve with Mujadara

Mujadara is a traditional Middle Eastern dish of cooked lentils, slow-cooked onions seasoned with mixed spices.

The caramelization of the onions gives the dish a wonderful flavor and texture, making it a perfect main course for any meal.

It turns creamy when stirred together, resulting in a warmly seasoned blend of tender grains and vegetables.

The entire dish is seasoned with salt, pepper, and a mixture of savory spices.

Mujadara is not spicy hot but instead has warm undertones that make it an ideal side dish for grilled meats or fish.

To add another layer of flavor, Mujadara can be topped with buttery-soft fried onions.

The dish can also be spiced up by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper.

The flavor of Mujadara is unique and complex, with a savory richness that is hard to compare to any other dish.

The dish is hearty and filling but not heavy, making it a perfect option for a winter meal.

When it comes to side dishes, Mujadara is one of the most versatile.

It goes well with just about anything from roasted vegetables to pan-fried fish to even a nice steak.

In this article, we’ll explore 10 of the best side dishes to serve with Mujadara.

What to Serve with Mujadara? 10 BEST Side Dishes

Since mujaddara is made up of lentils, onions, and rice (and optionally some meat), it’s no wonder that the simplest way to serve this dish is alongside other simple dishes.

If you’re preparing mujaddara for a dinner party, your guests are also likely to appreciate some variety.

Here are ten side dishes that go perfectly with mujaddara.

1 – Tabbouleh Salad

Tabbouleh is a classic Middle Eastern salad full of flavor and texture.

It’s made with bulgur wheat, tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, and olive oil.

It’s a great side to serve with mujaddara because it has many of the same flavors and textures.

The cool, crisp cucumbers and tomatoes perfectly contrast the warm, soft bulgur wheat.

Plus, the herbs add a beautiful flavor and color to the dish.

When you’re looking for a fresh and healthy side to serve with your mujaddara, tabbouleh is the perfect option.

2 – Spicy Roasted Cauliflower

Cauliflower is one of those vegetables that can be either good or bad.

When it’s cooked well, it’s a great option for serving with mujaddara.

Spicy roasted cauliflower is especially delicious with mujaddara since it contains many of the same flavors and spices.

The cauliflower is roasted until it’s nice and crispy, then tossed with a spicy blend of seasonings.

It makes a great side dish that is both flavorful and healthy.

3 – Hummus

Hummus is another classic Middle Eastern dish that goes perfectly with mujaddara.

It’s made with chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic, and it’s a great source of protein and fiber.

Hummus is the perfect dip to serve with mujaddara because it contains many flavors.

It’s also a great way to add some extra protein to your meal.

And, of course, it’s always delicious.

Feel free to serve it with pita bread or veggies to make your mujaddara into a full meal.

4 – Cranberry Quinoa Salad

Quinoa is one of those superfoods that has become quite popular.

It’s a good source of protein, fiber, and minerals.

Cranberry quinoa salad is another healthy option for serving with mujaddara.

This dish comprises quinoa, cranberries, goat cheese, almonds, and honey.

It’s a healthy and delicious way to get some extra nutrients into your meal.

The tart cranberries and the creamy goat cheese are perfect for the nutty quinoa.

And the almonds add a nice crunchy texture to the salad.

This is a great dish to serve if you’re looking for something on the sweeter side.

5 – Roasted Sweet Potato and Apples

Try roasted sweet potato and apples for a slightly more savory side dish.

This is a delicious combination of flavors and textures, and it goes perfectly with mujaddara.

The sweet potatoes are roasted until they’re soft and tender, then tossed in spices like cinnamon, cumin, coriander, and paprika.

The apples are also roasted with a touch of cinnamon and sugar.

It makes for a wonderfully flavorful side dish that is perfect for autumn.

6 – Fattoush Salad

Fattoush salad is another great option for a Middle Eastern-inspired side dish.

It’s made with toasted pita bread, cucumbers, tomatoes, parsley, mint, and lemon juice.

Fattoush salad is perfect for serving with mujaddara because it has many flavors and textures.

The toasted pita bread is a great way to add some crunch to the salad, and the cucumbers and tomatoes provide a fresh and juicy contrast.

This salad is also packed with herbs, which give it a wonderful flavor and aroma.

7 – Crispy Baked Falafel

Crispy baked falafel is a great option for serving with mujaddara.

It’s made with chickpeas, flour, baking powder, and spices like cumin and coriander.

When you’re looking for something to serve with your mujaddara that has a little bit of protein in it, crispy baked falafel is the way to go.

It’s made with healthy ingredients like chickpeas, packed with fiber and protein.

It also tastes amazing when served up with tahini sauce.

Falafel is a traditional Middle Eastern dish that has recently become popular worldwide.

This dish makes a great appetizer or main course, and it’s perfect for satisfying any cravings you may have for some traditional Middle Eastern flavors.

8 – Grilled Vegetables

Grilled vegetables are another healthy and delicious option for a side dish to serve with mujaddara.

You can grill pretty much any vegetable, but some common examples are zucchini, eggplant, bell pepper, and onion.

Grilled vegetables are a great side dish because they’re tasty and easy to make.

Grill them until they’re nice and crispy on the outside while remaining tender on the inside.

Grilling adds a wonderful smoky flavor that makes these veggies irresistible.

9 – Tahini Sauce

Tahini sauce is very versatile, and it’s easy to whip up.

It’s made with tahini paste, water, garlic, lemon juice, and salt.

You can also add in spices like cumin and coriander for extra flavor.

Tahini sauce goes amazingly well with falafel, grilled vegetables, and pretty much any other type of Middle Eastern dish.

It’s a great way to add richness and creaminess to your meal.

Plus, it’s packed with healthy ingredients like tahini paste and garlic.

10 – Roasted Cauliflower Steak

Last but not least, roasted cauliflower steak is another great side dish option to serve with mujaddara.

It’s made with cauliflower florets, olive oil, salt, pepper, and spices like cumin and coriander.

Roasted cauliflower steak has all the same flavors as mujaddara, and it’s so delicious and nutritious.

Cauliflower is incredibly low in calories but high in fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Plus, roasting cauliflower brings out its natural sweetness and makes it extra tasty.

Conclusion

Mujadara is a very hearty meal, and it has such amazing flavors.

It can be served as a main dish or a side dish to accompany even the heartiest meals.

It’s often difficult to find something that goes well with mujadara.

That’s why we’ve curated a list of 10 wonderful Middle Eastern dishes that pair perfectly with this amazing lentil and rice dish.

Whether you’re looking for something healthy and nutritious or something flavorful and delicious, we’ve got you covered.

So get cooking and enjoy a delicious meal with your friends and family.

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