What Is Vermicelli Rice? (And What Dishes To Use It In)
If you’re a fan of Middle Eastern cuisine, chances are that you’ve heard of a classic staple rice dish known as vermicelli rice. Also called Arabic rice, pilaf rice, or Lebanese rice, it is a common dish served in every Lebanese family.
So, what is vermicelli rice and what dishes can you use it in? Vermicelli rice is toasted vermicelli cooked with long-grain rice to make a fluffy rice dish that can be served as a perfect side for a variety of dishes such as stews, curries, braised vegetables, and more.
Read on to find out more about vermicelli rice, what it tastes like, what type of dishes it is best used in, and much more:
What Is Vermicelli Rice?
Vermicelli rice is a Middle Eastern rice dish made with two basic ingredients: vermicelli and rice. Fluffy, nutty, and versatile, this incredibly delicious yet simple dish pairs wonderfully with yogurt and several Middle Eastern stews and curries.
Vermicelli (pronounced “verm-uh-chell-ee”) is a type of long-strand pasta that is used in a variety of cuisines around the world.
Made from durum wheat semolina and eggs, it gets its name from the Italian word vermi, meaning “worms”, and translates to “little worms”.
Vermicelli is toasted in olive oil and mixed with rice to make vermicelli rice. Vermicelli has a golden yellow color which turns golden brown after toasting, and adding it to your rice gives it additional flavor, color, and texture.
Since vermicelli is very thin, similar to spaghetti but much thinner, it can easily be incorporated into the rice without being overbearing.
The final product, aka the vermicelli rice, is simply seasoned in salt, making it perfect to serve plain or topped with some lightly toasted nuts of your choice or herbs such as parsley or some finely chopped green onions.
How To Make Vermicelli Rice
Making vermicelli rice is super easy and requires just a handful of ingredients that include:
- Long-grain rice
- Vermicelli pasta
- Olive oil or butter
- Water
- Salt
Here are step-by-step instructions to make the best vermicelli rice that is light, fluffy, and full of flavor:
- Start by rinsing the rice until the water runs clear. Simply place the rice in a sieve and wash it under running water. If you are doing it in a bowl, you may have to rinse it 3 to 4 times. (You can save the water and use it to water your plants).
- Make sure to rub the rice between your fingers to get rid of the excess starch and prevent the rice from clumping.
- Next, heat some oil in a large saucepan and add the vermicelli.
- Stir fry it on medium heat for 1-2 minutes, or until the vermicelli takes on a deep golden brown. Avoid high heat as it tends to burn easily and stir it constantly to avoid burning it on one side.
- Add the rice to the toasted vermicelli and stir well to incorporate it. Stir fry it for another 1-2 minutes.
- Add the water and salt, stir well, and bring to a boil.
- Lower the heat and cover the saucepan. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes till all the water is absorbed.
- Optional: When ready, remove the pan from the heat and place a clean dish towel between the pot and the lid. Leave it to steam for around 10-15 minutes for super fluffy rice. The dishtowel will absorb all the excess heat and prevent it from dripping down onto the rice.
Tips To Make The Best Vermicelli Rice
- If you have the time, soak the rice in water for at least 20 minutes as it helps eliminate excess starch and allows for even cooking for each grain of rice.
- Use long-grain rice like basmati rice to ensure the dish doesn’t get clumpy. You may also use parboiled rice for great texture, but since it is more processed, we suggest opting for long-grain rice or basmati.
- Toast the vermicelli long enough to give it a deep golden-brown color. The deeper the color, the better and more nutty, buttery, and richer the flavor will be. It can burn easily though, so keep a close eye.
- Add the rice as soon as the vermicelli is toasted as this will cool down the pan and prevent the vermicelli from burning.
- Before toasting the vermicelli, crush the bales with your hands to get bite-sized pieces. Make sure to not over-crush them, though.
- The water line above the rice should be around 2.5cm. Go with a ratio of 1 cup of basmati rice to 1.5 cups of water for rice that is neither too hard and dense nor too soft and mushy.
- Since vermicelli rice is generally served with foods that already have salt in them, be mindful when salting the rice as you wouldn’t want it to become too salty when combined with the main dish.
Flavor Variations For Vermicelli Rice
Vermicelli rice is incredibly flavorful despite using only a handful of ingredients. Toasting the vermicelli and lightly sautéing the rice help bring out the flavor of these basic ingredients on their own.
However, if you wish to add more flavor to plain vermicelli rice, there are a few great options that you can try:
- Instead of water, use vegetable or chicken stock to cook the rice.
- Before adding the vermicelli and rice, sauté some garlic in the pot for added depth and flavor.
- Drizzle a bit of soy sauce after the vermicelli rice is ready to give it a salty kick.
- Once the rice is cooked, add some butter for a creamy and rich flavor.
- Alternatively, substitute oil for melted butter or clarified butter for a rich, buttery flavor.
- Add your choice of herbs and spices into the boiling water for extra flavor. Some popular choices include bay leaves, cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon sticks.
Dishes To Use Vermicelli Rice In
Vermicelli rice is a great alternative to regular rice and a refreshing option with a Middle Eastern twist.
It can be eaten on its own, paired with some plain yogurt, or with delicious Arabic stews such as okra beef stew or peas and carrots stew.
You can also serve it with classic Lebanese recipes such as beef shawarma, grilled chicken kabob, shish tawook, and beef kafta.
How To Store Vermicelli Rice
Leftover vermicelli rice can be kept in an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. If you wish to store it for longer, say up to 2 months, freezing it might be a better idea.
For best results, freeze it as soon as it cools after cooking. Avoid storing it in the fridge for a few days before freezing.
To reheat vermicelli rice, put it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, making sure you stir the rice halfway through the heating process.
Adding a bit of water or broth to the rice will keep it from drying out. If you like your rice hotter, you may add extra time in 30-second intervals.
If you are reheating from a frozen state, defrost it in the fridge for a couple of hours before heating it in the microwave.
Stovetop heating is also a good option. All you have to do is take out the vermicelli rice in a non-stick pan or skillet, add water or broth to it, and heat it on a low flame until it is nice and warm again.
To reheat frozen vermicelli rice on the stove, follow the same steps but use a lid for your pan or skillet to trap in the steam and heat it faster (if you don’t have a pan like that, we’d recommend this one).
Substitutes For Vermicelli
Vermicelli rice wouldn’t be vermicelli rice without, well, vermicelli and rice. However, for times when you are out of vermicelli, you can substitute it with other similar-looking pasta to mimic its appearance, thickness, and flavor.
Some popular substitutes for vermicelli include:
Angel Hair Pasta
Angel hair pasta, or Capelli d’angelo, is a very thin and long pasta usually made with durum wheat.
It cooks very quickly and can incorporate well into rice dishes making it a great substitute for vermicelli in vermicelli rice and other recipes.
Spaghettini
Another good alternative to vermicelli, spaghettini is a delicate form of spaghetti most commonly used in seafood dishes and oil-based sauces.
Literally meaning “thin little twine”, it is thinner than spaghetti but slightly thicker than angel hair pasta and vermicelli.
Rice Vermicelli
Unlike vermicelli, which is made from durum wheat, rice vermicelli is made from rice flour and water. Used in the same manner as regular vermicelli, it is a great option if you want to avoid durum wheat.
Related Questions
Now that you know what vermicelli rice is and what type of dishes it is best used in, here are a few additional questions we thought you might have!
Can I use brown rice?
Yes, you can. This variety of rice works great in nearly every recipe. Make sure to follow the instructions on the package to cook it perfectly.
How can I avoid under-seasoned rice?
Make sure to add the salt and other seasonings to the water so that the flavors can be absorbed by the rice as it cooks. This will help infuse more flavor into the vermicelli.