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Fish Machboos

60 min Medium 4 servings

Serves 4 · Total 60 min · Prep 20 min · Cook 40 min

Updated on 28 October 2026

A coastal Gulf favourite: firm white fish simmered briefly in a spiced tomato-onion broth, then the same broth cooks the rice so every grain carries the sea-spice flavour. The fish is pan-fried separately and placed back on top before serving, keeping it firm.

Quick answer: 60 min in total · serves 4 · main ingredients: Fish, Rice, Onion, Tomato · amounts in metric and US

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Ingredients

Metric US

800 g 1.75 lb Fish, firm white fish fillets
350 g 1.75 cup Rice
2 pc 2 pc Onion
2 pc 2 pc Tomato
1 tbsp 1 tbsp Tomato paste
3 clove 3 clove Garlic
1 pc 1 pc Dried black lime
1 tsp 1 tsp Mixed Arabic spice blend
0.5 tsp 0.5 tsp Turmeric
3 tbsp 3 tbsp Cooking oil
to taste to taste Salt

Steps

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Wash the basmati rice and soak it in water for 20 minutes.
⏱ Soaking · 20 min
Rub the fish with turmeric and salt, then pan-fry in oil until just cooked. Set aside.
⏱ Frying fish · 6 min
Heat the oil in a large pot and fry the sliced onion until golden.
⏱ Frying onion · 5 min
Add the garlic and the ground spices; fry for a minute until fragrant.
⏱ Frying spices · 1 min
Add tomato, tomato paste, dried lime and 700 ml water; simmer for 10 minutes to build the broth.
⏱ Building broth · 10 min
Drain the soaked rice and add it to the broth. Bring to a boil.
⏱ Bringing to a boil · 3 min
Lower the heat, place the fish on top of the rice, cover tightly and cook on low until the rice is done.
⏱ Rice on dum · 18 min
Fluff the rice gently with a fork, plate it with the fish on top.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Fish Machboos take?

60 minutes in total: about 20 minutes of prep and 40 minutes of cooking.

Is Fish Machboos hard to make?

Degchi rates it medium. The method has 8 steps, and 7 of them have a timer you can start on this page.

How many people does Fish Machboos serve?

This recipe serves 4. Use the toggle above the ingredient list to see the amounts in metric or US measures. For more or fewer portions, scale every amount in the same proportion, or use the servings control in the Degchi app.

Is Fish Machboos halal, vegetarian or eggless?

It is marked halal in our recipe data. It is not vegetarian. It has no egg. It has no beef. Check the labels on any packaged ingredients for your own needs.

What will I probably need to buy for Fish Machboos?

Everyday staples that Degchi counts as pantry basics: tomato paste, mixed Arabic spice blend, turmeric, cooking oil, salt. Spice-box items: dried black lime. Fresh items you will probably need to buy: fish, onion, tomato, garlic. Lentils, grains and other dry goods: rice.