Machboos – Traditional Qatari National Dish Recipe

Machboos is Qatar’s signature dish — a fragrant spiced rice dish cooked with tender chicken, lamb, or seafood. Similar to Gulf-style kabsa but uniquely Qatari with its use of loomi (dried limes) and a special spice blend called baharat.

Bold, aromatic, and rich in flavor, Machboos is served at family gatherings, weddings, Ramadan meals, and celebrations across Qatar.

Ingredients for Qatari Machboos

For the Meat

  • 1 whole chicken (cut into pieces)
    or

  • 1 kg lamb or mutton

  • 2 tbsp oil or ghee

  • 1 onion, finely chopped

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1 tomato, chopped

  • 2 tbsp tomato paste

Qatari Spice Mix (Baharat)

  • 1 tsp turmeric

  • 1 tsp cumin

  • 1 tsp coriander

  • 1 tsp cinnamon

  • 1 tsp black pepper

  • 1 tsp paprika

  • ½ tsp cardamom

  • ½ tsp cloves (ground or whole)

  • Salt to taste

Other Ingredients

  • 2–3 dried limes (loomi)

  • 2 bay leaves

  • 1–2 green chilies (optional)

  • 3 cups basmati rice (rinsed & soaked 20 minutes)

  • 4–5 cups water or broth

For Garnish

  • Fried raisins

  • Toasted almonds or pine nuts

  • Fresh parsley

How to Make Machboos (Step-by-Step)

1. Sauté the Base

  • Heat oil or ghee in a large pot.

  • Add onions and cook until golden.

  • Add garlic and chopped tomato; cook until soft.

  • Stir in tomato paste.

2. Add Meat & Spices

  • Add chicken/lamb and brown lightly.

  • Add all baharat spices and salt.

  • Mix well to coat the meat.

3. Add Loomi & Simmer

  • Add dried limes, bay leaves, and green chili.

  • Pour enough water or broth to fully cover the meat.

  • Boil, then cover and simmer:

    • Chicken: 35–40 minutes

    • Lamb: 1 to 1.5 hours

Remove meat when cooked and set aside.

4. Add the Rice

  • Add soaked basmati rice into the flavorful broth.

  • Gently return the cooked meat on top.

5. Steam Until Fluffy

Cover tightly and cook on low heat for 25–30 minutes, until rice absorbs all broth and becomes fluffy.

6. Garnish & Serve

Place rice on a serving platter, arrange meat on top, and garnish with:

  • Toasted nuts

  • Fried raisins

  • Fresh parsley

Serve with yogurt, salad, or spicy Qatari dakkous sauce.

Tips for Authentic Qatari Flavor

  • Loomi gives Machboos its signature Qatari taste — don’t skip it!

  • Add green chilies for heat.

  • For extra depth, add saffron soaked in warm water.

  • Fry chicken in a little butter after cooking for a golden finish.

«   »