Arroz Árabe: Toasted Vermicelli Rice with Almonds (53) 2026

Arroz árabe is a quick, savory side dish that comes together in about 25 minutes. Toasted angel-hair noodles give the basmati rice a golden color and a nutty crunch, while raisins and toasted almonds add sweetness and texture. It is a simple, satisfying accompaniment that makes any meal feel more complete.

The cooking method is similar to a pilaf, so the rice turns out dry and fluffy, very flavorful and aromatic. In this version, the usual garlic or onion sofrito is replaced by fine toasted noodles, which give it a contrast of color — perhaps the most characteristic part of this preparation, since in the Middle East it is simply called rice with noodles.

For extra flavor, we recommend cooking it in chicken or vegetable broth, but it can also be made simply with water. You can add spices to your taste: a little ras el hanout, for example, suits it perfectly. This rice is an ideal accompaniment for roast chicken or lamb, but it can also be served with fish or roasted vegetables. Yogurt sauce and tahini combine wonderfully with its flavors and add a little more juiciness.

Ingredients for Arroz Árabe

For 4 servings

• 30 g raisins
• 30 g butter or ghee
• 50 g angel-hair noodles
• 250 g basmati rice
• 500 ml chicken broth
• 50 g almonds
• Salt

How to Make Arroz Árabe Step by Step

1. Soak the raisins

Put 30 g of raisins in a bowl and cover them with water. Let them soak while you prepare the rest of the ingredients, so they plump up and soften.

2. Melt the butter and toast the noodles

Melt 30 g of butter in a pot and add 50 g of angel-hair noodles. Toast the noodles over medium heat, stirring constantly, until they are nicely golden.

3. Add the rice and coat it

Add 250 g of basmati rice and stir well so it is coated in the fat in the pot, until it takes on a pearly look.

4. Add the raisins and broth, then cook

Add the drained raisins and salt to taste (be careful if using broth, which is usually already seasoned). If you want to add a touch of spice, this is the moment. Pour in 500 ml of hot chicken broth, give it a stir and cover. Cook over medium-low heat for 15 minutes.

5. Toast the almonds

While the rice cooks, toast 50 g of almonds in a skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly so they don't burn. When they have taken on color, set them aside.

6. Let the rice rest

After 15 minutes, check that the rice is cooked and remove it from the heat. Let it rest for 5 minutes.

7. Add the almonds and serve

Add the toasted almonds to the rice, fluff it a little with a spoon and serve it in a dish.

Tips for the Best Arroz Árabe

Use broth for deeper flavor

Cooking the rice in chicken or vegetable broth adds a savory depth that water alone can't match. If you use broth, taste it first and adjust the salt, since it is often already seasoned.

Toast the noodles carefully

Keep the heat at medium and stir the angel-hair noodles constantly until they are golden. They can go from toasted to burnt quickly, and burnt noodles will make the whole dish taste bitter.

Let it rest before serving

After cooking, let the rice rest off the heat for 5 minutes before fluffing it with a spoon. This allows the grains to firm up and the flavors to settle, giving you loose, fluffy rice.

30 Top Dishes I Enjoy Cooking at Home

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Additional Tasty Recipes to Cook for Loved Ones

After years of trying and tweaking recipes in my own kitchen, I've come to see that the greatest dishes balance ease, dependable methods, and big flavor.

The recipes gathered here are the very ones I keep coming back to, time and again—whether I'm throwing together a fast meal just for me or putting on something memorable for friends and family.

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Whenever something light and uncomplicated is what I'm craving, I reach for the familiar Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For fuller comfort meals, I'm quick to point to the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight winner One Pot Pasta Recipe.

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And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that baked pasta classics can still be indulgent, cheesy, and deeply satisfying minus the gluten.

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