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Adas Polow: Persian Lentil Rice

App exclusive

40 min

Side

10 ingredients or less

One-bowl / one-pot

Budget-friendly
Adas polow is a delicious flavoured rice dish I grew up enjoying. The addition of lentils into the rice make it more filling and a great source of protein. Serve this rice together with your favourite korma or curry, and enjoy!

Servings

Total

40 min

Prep

5 min

Cook

35 min

Free from

Soy symbol

soy

Peanut symbol

peanut

Treenut symbol

tree nut

Sesame symbol

sesame

Gluten symbol

gluten

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp (30ml)
    vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp (4g)
    cumin seeds
  • 1
    medium onion, chopped
  • 1 tsp (3g)
    ground turmeric
  • ½ tsp
    salt, or more to taste
  • ½ tsp
    ground black pepper
  • 2 cups (480ml)
    water
  • 1 cup (190g)
    dry brown lentils, soaked overnight
  • 1 cup (200g)
    basmati rice, soaked overnight

Serves well with

Directions

  1. Drizzle the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. When hot, add the cumin seeds and cook for 2 minutes, stirring throughout.
  2. When the seeds start popping, add the onion. Cook for 5 minutes, or until golden.
  3. Then add the turmeric, salt, and pepper. Toast for 20 seconds, stirring throughout, and then add the water.
  4. Drain the water from the lentils and rice, rinse, and add this to the pot.
  5. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover the pot with a lid and let cook for 15 - 20 minutes*.
  6. Drop the heat to medium-low. Using the handle of your wooden spatula, create multiple craters in the rice.
  7. Cover the lid with a clean kitchen cloth, and place the lid on the pot**. Cook for an additional 10 minutes. Then the rice is ready to serve!

Notes

  • * If the rice is not fully cooked by the specified time, add a small splash of water, cover, and continue cooking.
  • ** This prevents water droplets from falling into the rice, resulting in a light and fluffy texture from steaming.

Storage

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Nutrition info

Focusing on numbers can harm our relationship with food. Instead, our philosophy is to Nourish the Cells & the Soul. For specific nutrition needs due to a medical condition, consult a dietitian or physician. While we strive to provide accurate nutritional information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. See our disclaimer for details.

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Process image of Adas Polow: Persian Lentil Rice Process image of Adas Polow: Persian Lentil Rice Process image of Adas Polow: Persian Lentil Rice

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Catalina Ordoñez - Sept. 28, 2025, 9:12 p.m.

¡Delicioso y fácil de preparar!

Reply
Vicky - Sept. 22, 2025, 6:22 a.m.

This burned at 15 minutes in a Le Creuset Cast Iron Braiser at medium low. The unburnt part was fine to eat, but it either needs to be at low for a cast iron pan that holds in heat, needs more water, or oil. I salvaged the top of the pan which was cooked through, but it needs more flavor - maybe some garlic and a bit more salt.

PUL small logo PUL Team - Sept. 22, 2025, 1:45 p.m.

Aw, we’re sad to hear this, Vicky! Cast iron does hold onto heat differently than other pots, and stoves can vary a lot too - for example, gas burners often run hotter than induction on the same setting. In step 5 we say to “lower to a simmer,” which might not actually be medium-high heat depending on the stove or pot being used. We only recommend the higher heat setting earlier on for caramelizing the onions quickly, but after that it’s always best to trust your judgment and adjust as needed. Adding a splash more water can also help prevent burning. We’re glad you were able to salvage part of the dish, and we hope your next try turns out even better <3

Reply
Diana - June 12, 2025, 12:25 a.m.

Wow. This is amazing!!!! Wondering if steps 6 and 7 were to be done. I did not leave it for the full 10 min nor did I bring it up to medium high. There was a bit of a crusty burn on the bottom so I took it off the stove. Please can you let me know if steps 6 and 7 are required.

I love the taste!!! It’s amazing.

PUL small logo PUL Team - June 12, 2025, 4:59 a.m.

So glad you enjoyed the taste, Diana, this makes us so happy to hear! Steps 6 and 7 are how it's traditionally made and help give the rice a light, fluffy texture and a subtle crust, but they're optional. You can skip or shorten the final step next time, or try using a lower heat if you're finding the bottom burns 🫶✨

Reply
Lila - March 14, 2025, 1:48 a.m.

This was delicious! Thank you!

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Claire - Oct. 25, 2024, 1:23 p.m.

Super simple and delicious :)

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Romane Q - July 6, 2024, 11:12 a.m.

The texture and flavors of this rice are so nice!

Reply
Alex - June 22, 2024, 11:39 p.m.

Why the craters? :)

PUL small logo PUL Team - June 25, 2024, 8:12 p.m.

Hiya Alex, thanks for the question. The craters help the steam circulate evenly, ensuring the rice and lentils cook perfectly. It prevents them from getting mushy and helps achieve a fluffy texture🤗

Reply
Kia - June 9, 2024, 1:57 a.m.

This has quickly become a household staple. We’ve been adding raisins, walnuts, and TONS of greens. Its perfect. Thanks for sharing!

Lilly - Feb. 27, 2025, 5:13 p.m.

Great idea!

Reply
lala - June 1, 2024, 10:50 a.m.

If I didn’t soak the lentils overnight, how long will they take to cook?

Reply
Hannah - March 22, 2024, 12:52 a.m.

This dish is quickly becoming a staple for me when I haven't had time to get groceries. Rice, lentils, spices, and a little onion are things I usually have in the cupboard

Reply
Zena - March 10, 2024, 10:39 p.m.

Simply delicious and easy to make! It’ll be a staple for years to come, thanks PUL!

Reply
Riana - Feb. 26, 2024, 8:39 p.m.

This IS really delicious, most mther recipes I know add dried fruit, so I added barberries and 2 dates, and one more onion, so crying would BE worth it. Soaking the lentils IS Not only healthy, but equalizes the cooking Times which IS so convinient, I will totaly makes this again!

PUL small logo PUL Team - Feb. 27, 2024, 10:05 p.m.

So happy that you enjoyed the recipe, Riana, thank you for taking the time to share the review 😊

Reply
Arla E - Feb. 15, 2024, 12:51 a.m.

Great recipe! The cumin seeds add a nice surprise. I added chopped raisins when cooking the onions and it gave it a bit of a sweet burst here and there. This is a nice break from pasta or noodles, loved it!

PUL small logo PUL Team - Feb. 15, 2024, 2:30 a.m.

So happy to hear it was enjoyed, Arla, thank you! 😊

Reply
K M - Feb. 4, 2024, 10:38 p.m.

This is so good and so easy to make. Will be making again. Xx

Reply
Andree-Anne R. - Feb. 3, 2024, 4:46 p.m.

Look simple and tasty!
Would it be possible to replace the brown by red lentils?

PUL small logo PUL Team - Feb. 4, 2024, 3:47 a.m.

Hey there, Andree-Anne, red lentils can get quite mushy compared to brown or green lentils which hold their shape after cooking. If you're okay with that you can use red - from a taste perspective, it'll be just as delicious. Just a heads up that it will also visually it'll look different. We hope you enjoy the Adas Polow if you give it a try! 😊

Andree-Anne R. - Feb. 6, 2024, 9:52 p.m.

Thanks for your answer! 🙏🏻
Make sense for the texture and visual look ! Will get brown lentils 😊👌🏻 Can’t wait to try the recipe 😍

Reply
Parnian - Feb. 3, 2024, 4:43 p.m.

Love it when you share Persian food and introduce it to the world. Thanks Sadia❣️
I always add some tofu scrambled or fake minced meat (mixed with some turmeric and cinnamon powder)
next to it as the meat substitute/
for extra protein:)

PUL small logo PUL Team - Feb. 5, 2024, 5:20 p.m.

Aw thanks for sharing your love and light, Parnian! A lovely idea to add tofu scramble or minced meat 🤗

Reply
Devika Tiwari - Feb. 1, 2024, 7:42 p.m.

Thank you for all the Persian recipes Sadia, and for making the delicious flavors of Persian cuisine accessible while vegan! :)

PUL small logo PUL Team - Feb. 2, 2024, 12:51 a.m.

Aw thanks, Devika - we hope you love the recipe!

Reply
Shayda Abidi - Feb. 1, 2024, 4:07 p.m.

Omg another persian recipe! KHALEY MAMNOON!! <3

Reply