Qatari Machboos

Name: Qatari Machboos
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 85 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Qatar
Ingredients: 3 cups basmati rice, soaked; 2 lbs lamb or chicken, bone-in; 2 onions, chopped; 3 tomatoes, chopped; 2 tbsp baharat spice blend; 2 dried black limes (loomi), pierced; 3 tbsp ghee; Fried onions and raisins, for garnish; Salt, to taste

6 servings25 min prep60 min cookMedium Qatar

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of Qatari Machboos

Story updated September 17, 2026

Qatar's machboos reflects the same Gulf-wide spiced rice tradition shaped by centuries of pearling and Indian Ocean trade, with Qatari versions often featuring dried lime (loomi) for a distinctive tang. It remains Qatar's most iconic national dish.

Ingredients

Scale:· 6 servings

3 cups basmati rice, soaked
2 lbs lamb or chicken, bone-in
2 onions, chopped
3 tomatoes, chopped
2 tbsp baharat spice blend
2 dried black limes (loomi), pierced
3 tbsp ghee
Fried onions and raisins, for garnish
Salt, to taste

Instructions

1Heat ghee and brown the meat on all sides, then remove and set aside.
2Sauté onions until golden, then add tomatoes, baharat, and dried limes, cooking until fragrant.
3Return the meat to the pot, cover with water, and simmer until tender, about 40 minutes.
4Remove the meat, strain and reserve the broth.
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 fried onions and raisins.

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