Middle Eastern Stuffed Onions That Your Family Will Love!

Name: Middle Eastern Stuffed Onions
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 6 small, oval yellow onions; 4 large garlic cloves; 1 yellow onion, finely diced; ½ large red pepper, finely diced; 1 cup parsley, finely chopped; 1 large tomato, grated; 1½ cups short-grain rice; 2 tsp kosher salt; ½ tsp black pepper; ½ tsp cumin; 1 tsp allspice; 1 tsp dried dill weed; 1 tsp dried mint; 3 tbsp pomegranate molasses; 3 tbsp tomato paste; 2 tbsp lemon juice; ½ cup tomato paste (for the sauce); 3½ cups hot water; 3 tbsp pomegranate molasses (for sauce); ¼ cup lemon juice (for sauce); 1½ tsp kosher salt (for sauce); ½ tsp black pepper (for sauce); Any remaining juices from the stuffing

Posted on February 26, 2026

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This Middle Eastern Stuffed Onions comes together in about 90 minutes and is baked in the oven for a easy weeknight meal that your family will absolutely love! You can switch up the ingredients to suit your taste or use this recipe as a ‘clean-out-the-fridge’ meal to get rid of leftovers and odds and ends! It’s all about making cooking accessible, easy, and fun for everyone in the family, even picky eaters!

Ingredients Overview

To make these scrumptious stuffed onions, you will need:

6 small, oval yellow onions: Choose firm ones for easy stuffing.
4 large garlic cloves: More garlic equals more flavor!
1 yellow onion, finely diced: For that ultimate savory base.
½ large red pepper, finely diced: Adds a pop of color and sweetness.
1 cup parsley, finely chopped: Fresh herbs make a world of difference!
1 large tomato, grated: Juicy goodness that keeps everything moist.
1½ cups short-grain rice: You can use any rice you have on hand… but short-grain works best for its stickiness.
2 tsp kosher salt: A couple pinches here and there, just to balance flavors!
½ tsp black pepper: For a hint of warmth.
½ tsp cumin: Adds that lovely warm, earthy flavor.
1 tsp allspice: Oh boy, this brings in so much richness!
1 tsp dried dill weed: It kinda screams summertime freshness.
1 tsp dried mint: A classic flavor in Middle Eastern cuisine!
3 tbsp pomegranate molasses: Sweet, tangy, and oh-so-delicious.
3 tbsp tomato paste: Extra tomato flavor never hurt anyone!
2 tbsp lemon juice: To brighten everything up!
½ cup tomato paste (for the sauce): Double the tomato, double the yum!
3½ cups hot water: To make everything come together nicely.
3 tbsp pomegranate molasses (for sauce): For drizzling on top!
¼ cup lemon juice (for sauce): Zesty and tasty!
1½ tsp kosher salt (for sauce): Seasoning is crucial!
½ tsp black pepper (for sauce): Same as above.
Any remaining juices from the stuffing: Don’t waste that flavor!

With a mix of fresh and pantry staples, this dish is perfect for when you want to whip up something comforting yet exciting!

Let’s Get Cooking!

Okay, let’s dive into this amazing recipe! You’re going to love how simple it is, prepare for some gorgeous smells wafting from your kitchen!

Preheat the Oven: Place the oven rack in the lowest position and preheat it to 450°F (that’s 232°C for my Celsius friends).
Prep those Onions!: Peel 6 small, oval yellow onions. Cut out the root to create a hole about ¼ inch deep and make a lengthwise slit without cutting through the center. This helps hold all the delicious stuffing!
Soften Up the Onion Layers: You have two options here. You can either microwave the onions in a medium glass bowl for 1 minute to soften the layers, or if you prefer, boil them in water for 1 minute, then set aside. This step makes stuffing so much easier!
Mix Up the Goodies: In a large bowl, mix all stuffing ingredients together: that’s your grated tomato, onion, red pepper, parsley, rice, and those lovely spices. I love how the spices all mingle together, creating a beautiful aroma!
Get Stuffing: Carefully dislodge each layer of onion (takes some finesse!). Stuff each layer with about 1½ tablespoons of filling, then join the edges to overlap. It’s okay if they look a bit quirky, quirky is good!
Arrange the Stuffed Onions: In a sauté pan or baking dish, arrange the stuffed onions tightly. They’re going to cook beautifully together!
Make the Sauce: In a separate bowl, mix together all your sauce ingredients: remaining tomato paste, pomegranate molasses, lemon juice, hot water, salt, and black pepper. Pour this luscious mixture over the onions.
Bake, Bake, Bake: Cover tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then uncover and bake for an additional 30 minutes, adding more water if needed. Finally, bake for another 15 minutes until the top is browned and the sauce has thickened. Seriously, the aroma will leave everyone wandering into the kitchen!
Cool Down and Serve: Let it cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Pair it up with yogurt and a fresh salad for that perfect meal. So good!

Why I Love This Recipe

You guys, this is my go-to recipe when I want to impress friends or just have a cozy night at home! It’s one of those comfort foods that warms your soul, you know? I’m a real sucker for flavors that blend so perfectly, and every bite is like exploring a farm-fresh Middle Eastern market! And the best part is, you can use whatever you’ve got on hand. Have some leftover veggies? Toss them in! Leftover grains? Perfect!

If you loved this Middle Eastern Stuffed Onions, be sure to check out my Lebanese Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Sauce, my Batata Harra, or my Arabic Chicken and Rice Kabsa!

Why This Recipe Works

Quick & Easy

This recipe comes together in under 90 minutes and requires minimal prep work! Seriously, you’ll have tasty stuffed onions baking while you tidy up the kitchen.

One Pot Wonder

A one-pot meal? Yes, please! Everything cooks together, meaning fewer dishes to wash and more time for family fun or catching up on your favorite show.

Comfort Food Level

These stuffed onions are loaded with tons of flavor and warmth. It’s like wrapping your family in a big, cozy hug while giving them a taste of Middle Eastern cuisine!

Customizable for Days

The secret to a delicious Middle Eastern Stuffed Onion is that you can easily customize it based on what you have in your pantry. Don’t have pomegranate molasses? Use BBQ sauce. No rice? Quinoa works just as well! Whatever works for you.

Serving Suggestions

These stuffed onions are delicious on their own but pair beautifully with a dollop of yogurt, fresh salad, or even some homemade pita bread for the ultimate meal experience.

Storage Tips

Refrigerator: Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. They taste even better the next day as the flavors deepen!
Reheating Instructions: The best way to reheat the stuffed onions is in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave them, just add a splash of water to keep them moist.
Freezer Friendly: Yes! You can freeze them before baking. Just make sure to wrap them tightly. When you’re ready, let them thaw overnight in the fridge before baking as directed.

Happy cooking, my friends! I can’t wait for you to try these out and love them as much as I do. It’s amazing how satisfying it is to make a meal that nourishes both the body and the spirit. Enjoy every bite! For more Recipes Follow Us in our Pinterest.