Loubieh bi zeit, which means green beans with olive oil, is one of the most popular traditional Lebanese homemade recipes. This vegan dish is delicious and nutritious. It is rich in iron, antioxidants, and vitamins, and is a great source of fiber. It’s also extremely easy to make in about 30 minutes with only one pot.
To make Lebanese green beans, we slow-cook the fresh green beans until tender in a tomato sauce that’s full of flavor, thanks to the addition of garlic, Lebanese 7-spice seasoning, and tomato paste.
Loubieh bi zeit is best when eaten with pita bread. It can be served as both a main dish or a side dish and can be served warm or cold. We often eat Lebanese green beans for lunch with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions on the side. It’s also most popular in the summertime, as it’s light and delicious and the fresh green beans and ripe tomatoes are plentiful.
This Lebanese green bean recipe reminds me of my grandmother because she used to make it a lot for my grandfather, who loved loubieh bi zeit. He was especially happy to eat the dish because the fresh green beans were from his farm. So I hope you enjoy this Middle Eastern green beans recipe as much as my family does.
Notes
- For this Lebanese beans recipe, you can use any kind of green bean, whether that’s French green beans, string beans, flat romano beans, or snake beans (also known as asparagus beans). You can also use frozen green beans when fresh green beans aren’t in season.
- This is the same for tomatoes. Feel free to use canned diced tomatoes out of season.
- If you like, add a garnish of chopped fresh parsley before serving.
- Another option besides Lebanese 7-spice seasoning is ground cinnamon (which is a part of the Lebanese spice blend).
FAQs
What is bi zeit?
This Lebanese green beans recipe (known in Arabic as loubieh bi zeit) is a popular Middle Eastern food that includes fresh green beans braised with tomatoes, onions, and garlic until tender.
Is loubieh bi zeit vegan?
Yes, this Lebanese green bean stew recipe is naturally vegan and gluten-free.
How do you serve Lebanese green beans?
Firstly, you can serve this Lebanese green bean dish warm, at room temperature, or cold. But here are some further serving suggestions:
- Serve it cold as part of a Lebanese mezze spread with other popular Lebanese food options like freshly baked pita bread, tabbouleh, fatayer, and hummus.
- Enjoy it at lunch on a piece of pita bread with fattoush salad.
- Serve it as a side dish alongside a simple main meal like grilled chicken, chicken tawook, or beef kofta. Add some rice pilaf to complete the meal.
- Enjoy it with pita bread and fresh vegetables like radish and cucumber slices, fresh tomato, and raw onion.
How do you store leftover loubieh bi zeit?
Once cooled to room temperature, store leftover Lebanese green beans with tomatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. As mentioned, you can serve them cold or reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Green Beans with Olive Oil (Loubieh bi Zeit)
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion, peeled and chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
- ½ tsp black pepper or Lebanese 7 spice seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 large ripe tomato, peeled and chopped
- 2¼ pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and halved
- 3 tbsp tomato paste dissolved in 1 cup water
Instructions
- In a large skillet with a lid, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook them for 3-5 minutes, until they are tender.
- Add the garlic, pepper, salt, tomato, and beans and mix very well. Stir in the tomato paste mixture and blend it in well.
- Cover the pan and cook the beans over low to medium heat for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender when pierced with a knife.
Nutrition
About the Author: Farah Farah
