Kuwaiti Machboos

Name: Kuwaiti Machboos
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 85 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Kuwait
Ingredients: 3 cups basmati rice, soaked; 2 lbs lamb or chicken pieces; 2 onions, chopped; 3 tomatoes, chopped; 2 tbsp bzar spice blend; 2 dried black limes (loomi), pierced; 3 tbsp oil or ghee; 1/4 cup raisins and toasted nuts, for garnish; Salt, to taste

6 servings25 min prep60 min cookMedium Kuwait

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of Kuwaiti Machboos

Story updated September 17, 2026

Kuwait's machboos, like Bahrain's, developed through the country's historic role as a Gulf pearling and trading port, blending Persian, Indian, and Arabian spice traditions. It's considered Kuwait's national dish, often made with hammour fish or lamb.

Ingredients

Scale:· 6 servings

3 cups basmati rice, soaked
2 lbs lamb or chicken pieces
2 onions, chopped
3 tomatoes, chopped
2 tbsp bzar spice blend
2 dried black limes (loomi), pierced
3 tbsp oil or ghee
1/4 cup raisins and toasted nuts, for garnish
Salt, to taste

Instructions

1Heat oil and brown the meat, then remove and set aside.
2Sauté onions until golden, then add tomatoes, bzar, and dried limes.
3Return the meat to the pot, cover with water, and simmer until tender, about 40-45 minutes.
4Remove the meat, strain the broth, and reserve both.
5Cook the soaked rice in the reserved broth, covered on low heat, until tender, about 20 minutes.
6Serve the rice topped with the meat, garnished with raisins and toasted nuts.

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