Loubieh bi Zeit (Lebanese Green Beans Braised in Olive Oil and Tomato)
Local name: لوبيا بالزيت
In short: Green beans slowly braised with onion, garlic and tomato in plenty of olive oil, then served warm or at room temperature with bread or rice. It takes about 1 h in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 45 min
- Total
- 1 h
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 180 kcal
Loubieh bi zeit is the Lebanese way with green beans. They are cooked slowly in olive oil with onion, garlic and ripe tomato until soft, sweet and glossy. There is no meat, so it also suits fasting days and sits well on a mezze table. It tastes even better after a few hours, which makes it a good dish to cook ahead. Serve it warm or at room temperature with warm pita or rice.
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a wide pot over medium heat. Cook the onion for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring, until soft and lightly golden.
- Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, then stir in the tomato paste for 30 seconds.
- Add the green beans and stir for 3 minutes so they are coated in the oil.
- Add the tomatoes, water, allspice, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook on low heat for 30 to 35 minutes, stirring now and then, until the beans are very soft and the sauce is thick.
- If the pot looks dry before the beans are tender, add a splash of hot water. If it looks watery at the end, cook uncovered for 5 minutes.
- Stir in the lemon juice and cilantro. Let the beans cool to warm or room temperature before serving, with pita, rice or as part of a mezze spread.
Tips
- Lebanese cooks like these beans soft, not crisp. The long, covered braise is what makes them silky and sweet, so do not cut it short.
- Make it a day ahead. The flavors settle overnight, and the beans taste best at room temperature with an extra squeeze of lemon.
Questions and answers
Can I use frozen green beans?
Yes. Add them straight from the freezer, use 60 ml (1/4 cup) of water instead of 120 ml, and cook for about 25 minutes.
Is loubieh bi zeit served hot or cold?
Either, but it is most often served warm or at room temperature, as part of a mezze or a light meal with bread.
How long does it keep?
Up to 4 days in a covered container in the fridge, or 3 months in the freezer. Reheat gently or serve it cold.
How long does it take to make Loubieh bi Zeit (Lebanese Green Beans Braised in Olive Oil and Tomato)?
About 1 h in total: 15 min of preparation and 45 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Loubieh bi Zeit (Lebanese Green Beans Braised in Olive Oil and Tomato)?
About 180 kcal per serving, with 3 g of protein, 15 g of carbohydrates and 12 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 180 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 15 g |
| Fat | 12 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 7 g |
| Sodium | 400 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
