Main Course · Dinner · Middle Eastern ·

Silky Iranian Reshteh Polo with Lentil and Raisins

Name: Silky Iranian Reshteh Polo with Lentil and Raisins
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 250g reshteh (Persian noodles); 2 cups Basmati rice, rinsed; 1 cup lentils, rinsed; 1 cup raisins; 1 large onion, thinly sliced; 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads, ground and steeped in 2 tablespoons hot water; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 3 tablespoons vegetable oil; Salt, to taste; 2 tablespoons slivered almonds; 2 tablespoons slivered pistachios; Fresh parsley, chopped

Reshteh Polo is a traditional Persian dish combining noodles with the earthy flavors of lentils and the sweet notes of raisins, creating a harmonious and fragrant meal that’s perfect for any day.

4.1(278 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·November 13, 2025

Silky Iranian Reshteh Polo with Lentil and Raisins — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Reshteh Polo

For the Garnish

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 665 kcal
Protein: 17.25 g
Carbs: 116.5 g
Fat: 15.25 g
Fiber: 10.25 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2660 kcal
Protein: 69 g
Carbs: 466 g
Fat: 61 g
Fiber: 41 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
250g reshteh (Persian noodles)	900	30	180	3	10
2 cups Basmati rice, rinsed	410	9	90	1	1
1 cup lentils, rinsed	230	18	40	1	16
1 cup raisins	500	4	130	1	8
1 large onion, thinly sliced	60	2	14	0	3
1/2 teaspoon saffron threads, ground and steeped in 2 tablespoons hot water	0	0	0	0	0
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon	6	0	2	0	1
3 tablespoons vegetable oil	360	0	0	40	0
Salt, to taste	0	0	0	0	0
2 tablespoons slivered almonds	100	3	4	9	1
2 tablespoons slivered pistachios	90	3	5	7	1
Fresh parsley, chopped	4	0	1	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Lentils

1
Boil Lentils
Boil the lentils in a medium saucepan with 4 cups of water until tender but not mushy, about 20-25 minutes.
2
Drain Lentils
Drain and set aside.

Preparing the Rice and Noodles

1
Parboil Rice
In a large pot, bring 8 cups of salted water to a boil. Add the rice and cook for 10 minutes.
Tip: Do not overcook the rice and noodles; they should be slightly firm (al dente).
2
Add Noodles
Add the broken noodles and cook together for an additional 5 minutes.
3
Drain Rice and Noodles
Drain the mixture in a colander and set aside.
Tip: Rinse the rice and noodles briefly under cold water to stop the cooking process and maintain texture.

How to Make Silky Iranian Reshteh Polo with Lentil and Raisins

Total time: 2 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Sauté Onions
Heat the vegetable oil in a pan and fry the onions until golden brown.
2
Combine Ingredients
In a large pot, layer the rice-noodle mixture, lentils, raisins, fried onions, and sprinkle with cinnamon and the steeped saffron.
3
Steam-Set
Cover with a kitchen towel and lid, cook over low heat for 20-25 minutes until fully steamed.