Maqluba or Maqlooba is an upside down rice dish that is very versatile. Maqluba recipe is basically layers of vegetables, flavored rice and meat stacked on top of each other and cooked to perfection.
Maqluba is a one dish meal made traditionally with cauliflower or eggplants. There are as many variations to this dish as there are families in the region, but the method is the same. Here is a step by step guide to make the easiest worry free maqluba recipe to grantee success each time.

This post has been updated from the original August 2015. Last updated February 2019.

Maqluba

If you have been following me long enough you probably by now know that I had lots of Palestinian friends when I was growing up. My dad used to work in KSA and when we visited over the summer, we had gatherings of friends every week and sometimes even twice a week.

I was introduced to this dish in one of these gatherings. As a kid,I ate the rice, ditched the vegetables and when it was made with chicken , I ate the chicken as well. The flavors and textures in this dish is heavenly good.

My late father was a huge fan of eggplants, and I used to hate it as a kid. Now I appreciate it more and I love it, but for the kiddos.. naah, they are not there yet. He used to like maqluba a lot, I’ve tried so many times making maqlooba but it was very hard for me to manage flipping it over without making a mess. It used to fell apart and did not hold its shape. Still tasted delicious but the look was not what I hoped for. This time I have perfected the recipe and bringing you some tips and tricks along the way for a perfect flip each time.

Maqluba Recipe FAQS

Tips for making perfect maqluba

• I used to make maqluba with cubed beef stew. Filling a pot with water, adding a whole onion, bay leaf, some salt and pepper then drop the meat in until it is halfway done. Place them at the bottom of the oven dish and it will continue to cook with the rice. I’ve found that ground meat is easier but of course it is your choice.
• The hardest part of making maqluba is flipping it in the end. To ensure that it is not stuck to the bottom of the baking dish, I lined the dish with parchment paper.
• Before, I used to just put the eggplant on the bottom of the baking dish, this time I have wrapped eggplants around the rice. This also ensure that the rice will not fly everywhere when you flip the dish.

How to make maqluba

You may need

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For this recipe I’ve used Aahu Barah basmati rice. It was recommended by a friend and I could easily find it here in the Middle Eastern store.

More eggplant recipes here

• Syrian fattet Al makdous.
• Meatless eggplant grilled cheese sandwich.
• Eggplant salad with tahini.
• Eggplant in garlic sauce.

I want so badly to try this eggplant recipe from recipetineats.

Maqluba Recipe

A feast in your mouth, lots of flavors from different vegetables, the unique aroma of basmati rice topped with pieces of lamb,beef or chicken. This one dish meal will feed a crowd.

5 from 1 vote

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Maqluba

Prep Time

30 mins

Cook Time

40 mins

Total Time

1 hr 10 mins

 

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Middle East

Keyword: nutty, soft

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 280 kcal

Author: Amira

Ingredients

• 1 cup (198g) Basmati rice. Note1
• 1 Tablespoon butter. Note2
• 1 teaspoon 7 spices. Note3
• 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
• 1 1/4 cup water or broth boiled.

For the ground beef mixture:

• 1/2 pound (230g) ground beef.
• 1 small onion. Chopped.
• 1/2 teaspoon all spice.
• 1 teaspoon tomato paste.
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
• Salt to taste.
• 1 (450g) medium firm eggplant cut into 1/2 inch slices lengthwise and fried or grilled in the oven. Note4
• Optional: Chopped parsley roasted nuts for garnishing.

Instructions

1. Wash rice twice or 3 times, drain then place in a deep bowl, cover with cold rice and soak for 30 minutes.
2. Meanwhile fry or oven bae the eggplants.

Brown the ground meat:

1. In a skillet over medium heat, sauté onions in oil then add ground beef and spices, mix well. Add the tomato paste and mix everything well, cook until browned all around. Set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 400F.
3. Line an oven safe dish with parchment paper.
4. Arrange tomato slice at the bottom of the dish.
5. Top that with a layer of the browned ground beef.
6. Arrange eggplant slices over the ground beef.
7. Add rice, then pour boiled water or broth over.
8. Fold the egg plants over the rice.
9. Cover and cook in the oven for 40 minutes.
10. Take the dish out fluff the rice on top and taste to make sure it is completely cooked.
11. If you feel it needs more water or broth add a quarter cup, cover then return to oven for another 10-15 minutes.
12. Let it cool down for 10 -15 minutes before flipping over the serving dish.
13. Remove parchment papers and tomatoes on top, you can eat them if you want.
14. Garnish top with chopped parsley and roasted nuts.
15. Serve with Tzatziki or yogurt sauce.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Note1: Traditionally short grain rice is used but it is common nowadays to use the Basmati.
Note2: If you deep fry your eggplants they will have enough oil so no need for the butter.
Note3: 7 spices are a combination of cumin, cardamom, black pepper, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon and sometimes paprika and cloves as well. You can use allspice instead if you do not have it.
Note4: I used to fry the eggplants in the past, but if you want you can roast in the oven with some oil and salt.

Nutrition Facts

Maqluba

Amount Per Serving

Calories 280 Calories from Fat 113

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 12.5g 19%

Saturated Fat 3g 15%

Cholesterol 27.4mg 9%

Sodium 197.2mg 8%

Potassium 121.6mg 3%

Total Carbohydrates 32.1g 11%

Dietary Fiber 2.2g 9%

Sugars 3.2g

Protein 11.1g 22%

Vitamin A 2%

Vitamin C 3.6%

Iron 11.9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.