Loubieh B'Zeit (Lebanese Green Beans with Olive Oil)
Savor the authentic flavors of Lebanon with Loubieh B'Zeit, a comforting vegan dish featuring tender green beans slowly simmered in a rich, aromatic tomato sauce with sweet onions and fragrant garlic. Bathed in golden olive oil, this humble yet deeply satisfying stew offers a delightful balance of savory and sweet, perfect as a vibrant side or a light main course with warm pita.
An original recipe by Forkin
- Total time
- 1 hr
- Serves
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Per serving
- 206 kcal
Mise en place
Ingredients
- 500 ggreen bean, trimmed and snapped
- 1 pcsyellow onion, finely chopped
- 4 clovegarlic, minced
- 400 gcanned crushed tomato
- 0.5 cupwater
- 0.25 cupolive oil
- 0.75 tspsalt
- 0.25 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
Equipment
Large heavy-bottomed pot · Dutch oven (optional) · Chef's knife · Cutting board · Wooden spoon · Measuring cups · Measuring spoons
The method
Step by step
- 1
Prepare the vegetables: Trim the ends off the green beans, then chop the yellow onion into a fine dice and mince the garlic cloves.
About 10 min
Cook’s note: For uniform cooking, ensure the green beans are roughly the same size. If using fresh garlic, finely mincing it will allow its flavor to meld seamlessly into the sauce.
- 2
Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Using a good quality extra virgin olive oil is crucial for the authentic flavor of this dish, as it's a prominent ingredient.
- 3
Add the diced yellow onion to the hot oil and sauté, stirring occasionally, until it becomes soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
About 7 min
Cook’s note: Do not rush this step; properly caramelizing the onions builds a sweet flavor base for the entire dish.
- 4
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until it becomes fragrant, being careful not to let it brown or burn, which can make it bitter.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Garlic burns quickly, so keep a close eye on it and stir constantly during this brief cooking period.
- 5
Add the trimmed green beans to the pot and stir thoroughly to coat them evenly with the aromatic onion and garlic mixture.
About 2 min
Cook’s note: Ensure all beans are well-coated to absorb the initial flavors before the liquid is added.
- 6
Pour in the canned crushed tomatoes and water, then season the mixture with salt and black pepper.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Crushed tomatoes provide a rustic texture, but diced tomatoes can be used for a chunkier sauce. Adjust the water quantity based on your desired sauce consistency.
- 7
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly, and cook for 30-40 minutes, or until the green beans are very tender and almost melting.
About 40 min
Cook’s note: The key to this dish is slow simmering, allowing the flavors to meld and the beans to become incredibly soft, not just cooked through. Stir every 10-15 minutes to prevent sticking.
- 8
Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or pepper as needed.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Consider adding a pinch of sugar if your tomatoes are particularly acidic, or a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.
- 9
Serve the Loubieh B'Zeit warm, drizzled with a little extra virgin olive oil if desired.
Cook’s note: This dish often tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to deepen.
Per serving
Nutrition
- Calories
- 205.8kcal
- Protein
- 3.9g
- Carbs
- 18.6g
- Fat
- 13.9g
- Fibre
- 5.2g
- Sugar
- 9.2g
Estimated from the recipe’s ingredient quantities. Values can vary with brands and substitutions.
Keep it good
Loubieh B'Zeit is traditionally served at room temperature or slightly warm, often with fresh pita bread for scooping up the delicious sauce. It pairs wonderfully with grilled meats or fish, or can be enjoyed as a light and satisfying vegetarian main course. For an extra touch of freshness, garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Store leftover Loubieh B'Zeit in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. Add a splash of water if the sauce appears too thick.