Ouzi Rice
Ouzi is a classic Arab meal that is known to have peas, carrots, lamb, or beef with well-seasoned rice. There are several variations to ouzi that are truly spectacular. Growing up, I have always enjoyed the most traditional rendition as it’s a classic with the most tender lamb. It’s the ouzi my mom made for guests, especially during Ramadan and we all just loved it. This ouzi rice is a shortcut to that meal yet just as delicious. It still has those warm flavors, the peas and carrots, and in this case, minced meat. Lastly, you can find ouzi stuffed into puff pastry parcels as a fun and innovative way to enjoy them. All are fantastic!
How to make Ouzi rice with ground beef?
There are 3 major yet simple steps into making this comforting meal in just 30 minutes, might I add.
- Sauteeing the peas and carrots in a bit of ghee while also serving the ground beef with warm spices.
- Then, toss the rinsed rice with the veggies, add stock, let this simmer, and cook for about 20 minutes.
- Finally, toss in some of the beef and top it off with some, followed by toasted almonds.
It is truly that simple to make, yet you will have layers of flavor and texture. I love enjoying this meal with yogurt and Arabic salad. It makes it a complete and wholesome dish that I know I can whip up any day of the week on short notice.
If you give this a try, send me a remake on my Instagram for a chance to get featured. And as always, I love to hear your feedback below!
Ouzi Rice
Ingredients
- 1 lb Lean Ground Beef
- 1 tbsp Ground Allspice
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp Ghee or olive oil
- 1 cup Frozen Peas and carrots, lightly thawed feel free to add more if you like
- 1 cup Basmati rice, rinsed
- 2 cups Vegetable Stock Beef stock works well too
- 1 Bouillion cube, crushed
- 1/4 tsp Ground Cinnamon
Garnish
- 1/2 tbsp Ghee or Olive oil
- 1/4 cup Slivered Almonds Pine nuts
Instructions
- To start, add ground beef to a pan on medium heat and season with salt, pepper, allspice, and garlic powder. Break the meat apart into smaller pieces and let this cook for 5-8 minutes until cooked through and lightly browned.
- While the meat is cooking, add ghee to a pot along with the peas and carrots. Season this with salt and pepper and saute for a few minutes until they begin to tenderize.
- To the peas and carrots, add the rice, stock, bouillion, and cinnamon. Give it a stir and let it simmer on low to medium heat for about 20 minutes until the rice is cooked through and water has evaporated. Fluff the rice gently with a fork.
- Add half of the cooked ground beef to the rice mixture and stir together. Plate the rice and top with the rest of the ground beef on top. Then, top with the toasted slivered almonds as garnish and an element of crunch.
- You can serve this delicious meal with yogurt and even jazz it up with cucumbers, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and fresh garlic and mint or a salad!
So good! I doubled the rice and the stock and it’s delicious!
Do you double all the spices also? Thanks in advance
Hi Yani, I only see the second part of the question if you should double the spices. If you wanted to double the recipe, you could double the seasonings.
Made this last night for my family and guests with a side of baked chicken and let me just say it was a crowd pleaser! Easy to make with simple ingredients. Love the added veggies in rice for the kids.
This was soo good! Thanks for the easy recipe!!
Perfect quick and satisfying dinner!
Ouzi is one of my favorite dishes that my Palestinian grandma makes but I haven’t been able to see her in years. I’ve been searching for a recipe that is similar to hers since she doesn’t measure anything and I have a need for measurements lol. Once I tried this recipe, the search was over! Absolutely delicious and easy to make. I like to add cinnamon to my ground beef (just 1/4 tsp) so that’s the only modification I made. Delicious and a taste of home! Thank you for this! My Palestinian fam likes to have ouzi with mlokhia and roasted chicken!
Aww, that makes me so happy. Thanks for sharing
Made this tonight for my boyfriend who is from Jordan and he immediately guessed what it was. He said it tastes just like what his grandma makes. So, thank you for making cooking middle eastern food accessable. Ive tried many of your recipes and everyone has been a hit with him. It’s been a real pleasure cooking through your recipes and I can’t wait for the cookbook.
AWW, that makes me so happy! Thanks for the lovely review, Meagan!
This was the perfect meal to whip up after I finished a long workday for my two boys. Perfection! So delicious. Fufu, I’ve tried tagging you and sending you messages on Instagram with no luck 😪 not sure why, I love your content.
I love to hear that!
So delicious! Thanks for saving dinner!
I jumped on here to find her Kabseh recipe last night and came across this one instead because I forgot the name of the other one lol. I am so glad I did as this Ouzi recipe is absolutely delicious! Will definitely be another one of her recipes added to my favorites! ❤️ Alhamdulillah, so quick & easy as well!
So so good! My kids love beef mince. They love rice. These two put together was just 😋 👌 another regular meal at our table as so many others of yours have been. Thank you!!
This turned out amazing! An easy and fulfilling meal put together in such a short time. Thanks for sharing!
I am happy to hear you liked it!
This recipe is so simple but so amazing! I highly recommend! I made mine with beef, but I suggest the recipe to a close professor of mine who had ground lamb, and she loved it too! One of my top favs for sure! Thank you! ❤️
Thank you for recommending my recipes! It means so much!
Very easy and full of flavor! Thank you for the recipe!