Riz bi Foul (Lebanese Rice with Fava Beans and Dill)

About This Recipe

Riz bi foul is a springtime dish in Lebanon, timed to the season when fresh fava beans are in their best form, simmered together with rice and a generous amount of fresh dill for a light, herb-forward one-pot meal. Unlike heavier meat-based rice dishes, this one leans vegetarian and simple, the fava beans providing protein and a slightly earthy sweetness that pairs naturally with dill's bright, slightly anise-like flavor. Cooked together in one pot so the rice absorbs the beans' starch and the dill's aroma throughout, this dish is traditionally served with a side of yogurt, its cool tang balancing the dish's herby richness.

Ingredients

Serves 4

• 1.5 cupswhite rice(rinsed)
• 3 tbspolive oil
• 1onion(diced)
• 2 clovesgarlic(minced)
• 2 cupsshelled fresh or frozen fava beans
• 3 cupswater or vegetable stock
• 1 tspsalt
• 1/2 cupchopped fresh dill
• 1 cupplain yogurt(for serving)

Instructions

1. 1

   Cook the onion

   Heat olive oil in a pot and cook onion until soft, about 6 minutes, then add garlic for 1 minute.

2. 2

   Add the fava beans

   Stir in the fava beans and cook 3-4 minutes.

3. 3

   Add rice and liquid

   Stir in the rinsed rice, then add water or stock and salt; bring to a boil.

4. 4

   Simmer

   Cover and simmer 18 minutes until the rice and beans are tender.

   If using fresh, older fava beans, consider peeling the tough outer skin from each bean before cooking for a more tender bite.

5. 5

   Add dill

   Remove from heat and stir in the chopped dill, then let rest 5 minutes covered.

6. 6

   Serve

   Fluff with a fork and serve warm with a side of plain yogurt.

Variations

• •

  Adding a squeeze of lemon juice at the end brightens the dish further.

• •

  Some versions include small pieces of lamb for a heartier, non-vegetarian variation.

• •

  Frozen fava beans work well when fresh ones aren't in season, making this a year-round option.

Storage

Refrigerate up to 3 days in an airtight container; reheat gently with a splash of water to loosen the rice.

Frequently Asked Questions