Traditional Emirati Harees: Wheat and Meat Porridge
Prep 15 mins
Cook 3 hrs
Total 11 hrs 15 min
Servings 6
Difficulty Easy
Cuisine Emirati
A comforting slow-cooked porridge of cracked wheat and meat — an Emirati Ramadan essential.
Harees
Scale:
Ingredients
- 2 cups cracked wheat (jareesh) (soaked overnight)
- 500 g bone-in lamb or chicken
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 8 cups water
- 3 tbsp ghee (for serving)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon (for garnish)
Instructions
- 1
Soak cracked wheat overnight in plenty of water. Drain before using.
- 2
Place meat and soaked wheat in a large pot with 8 cups of water and salt. Bring to a boil.
- 3
Reduce heat to very low, cover, and cook for 2-3 hours until the wheat completely breaks down and the meat falls apart.
- 4
Remove any bones. Beat the mixture with a wooden spoon or immersion blender until smooth and porridge-like.
- 5
Serve in bowls, topped with a generous drizzle of melted ghee and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Tips
- Traditional harees requires patience — the long, slow cooking is what gives it its signature silky texture.
