It brings me immense joy to share another treasured recipe from the heart of Lebanese cuisine. There are countless dishes I adore, and I’m dedicated to bringing more of these authentic flavors to your kitchen. Among them, these Lebanese Green Beans stand out as a true personal favorite.

This particular recipe for Lebanese Green Beans, known affectionately as Lubee or Loubieh bi Zeit (which translates to “green beans in oil”), holds a special place in my heart. It’s the very dish my Grandma and Mom prepared frequently during my childhood. The aroma wafting from the kitchen instantly transported me to their loving home. Food truly has an incredible way of evoking memories and connecting us to our past, doesn’t it?

While this recipe focuses on the vegetarian version, we often enjoyed Lebanese Beef and Green Beans for a heartier, meat-inclusive meal. This traditional preparation involves slowly simmering the green beans with diced tomatoes, onions, garlic, and a blend of warm spices like cinnamon and cumin. This extended cooking time allows the ingredients to meld together, developing a rich, deep, and incredibly comforting flavor profile. It’s truly a Lebanese green bean stew, bursting with Mediterranean goodness.

Why You’ll Love This Lubee Bi Zeit Recipe

Beyond its nostalgic appeal, Lubee bi Zeit is a remarkably versatile and delicious dish. Here’s why it will quickly become a staple in your kitchen:

• Healthy & Nutritious: Packed with fresh vegetables and cooked with olive oil, it’s a wholesome meal that aligns perfectly with a Mediterranean diet.
• Simple to Prepare: With just a few staple ingredients and straightforward steps, even novice cooks can master this authentic Lebanese dish.
• Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of slowly simmered tomatoes, aromatic garlic and onion, and warm spices creates an irresistible depth of flavor.
• Dietary Friendly: Naturally vegetarian and vegan-friendly when prepared without meat, it’s suitable for a wide range of dietary preferences.
• Great for Meal Prep: Like many stews, this dish tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld. It stores wonderfully for quick, healthy meals throughout the week.
• Customizable: Easily adaptable to include meat or other vegetables, allowing you to tailor it to your liking.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the depth of flavor it achieves with basic pantry items. You’ll need a can of quality diced tomatoes, a bag of frozen green beans (or fresh if preferred), a sweet onion, garlic, cumin, paprika, and cinnamon. These humble ingredients come together to create something truly magical.

I frequently prepare a large batch of Lubee bi Zeit to ensure I have healthy, ready-to-eat vegetarian side dishes or light meals for busy weeknights. If you’re looking to turn it into a more substantial meal, consider adding diced ham or stew meat a few minutes after sautéing your onions, allowing it to simmer and absorb all those wonderful flavors. For more Mediterranean-inspired vegetable dishes, explore my Lebanese Vegetables or these Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables.

Essential Ingredients You’ll Need

Crafting these delectable Lebanese Green Beans requires a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need to create this authentic dish. For precise measurements and printable instructions, refer to the recipe card below.

• Green Beans: These are, of course, the star of our show! I often opt for a bag of frozen green beans because they release a bit of water during cooking, which beautifully contributes to the sauce, helping all the spices and juices meld together. However, fresh green beans work equally well if that’s what you have on hand.
• Diced Tomatoes: A can of good quality diced tomatoes forms the flavorful base of our rich sauce. The tomatoes break down during simmering, creating a luscious gravy that coats the green beans and perfectly complements the warm spices. If fresh tomatoes are in season, feel free to use them! I recommend dicing large ripe tomatoes or simply halving cherry tomatoes for ease.
• Garlic and Onion: These aromatic powerhouses lay the foundation of flavor for the entire dish. I prefer thinly slicing a sweet or yellow onion, which softens and caramelizes slightly during sautéing, adding a subtle sweetness. Red onion or shallots can be used as alternatives if needed, offering a slightly different but equally delicious nuance.
• Spices: The magic truly happens with the aromatic spices, which are quintessential to Lebanese cooking. This recipe features cumin, paprika, and cinnamon. Cumin brings an earthy warmth, paprika adds a mild sweetness and vibrant color, while cinnamon infuses the dish with its signature, comforting aroma and a touch of unexpected sweetness that elevates the entire profile. Together, they create a rich, inviting warmth.
• Olive Oil: A generous amount of good quality olive oil is traditional for Lubee bi Zeit. It’s not just for sautéing; it contributes significantly to the dish’s flavor and silky texture.
• Salt and Pepper: To taste, enhancing all the natural flavors.

How to Make Lebanese Green Beans: Step-by-Step

Making traditional Lebanese Green Beans is a straightforward process that yields incredible flavor. Follow these simple steps for a perfect Lubee bi Zeit every time:

Step 1: Sauté Aromatics (Garlic and Onion): Begin by heating the olive oil in a large skillet or a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add your thinly sliced onion and sauté gently for 3-4 minutes, or until it softens and becomes translucent, releasing its sweet aroma. Next, add the minced garlic and continue to sauté for another 2 minutes until fragrant. *If you plan to include meat (like diced ham or beef stew meat), now is the time to add it. Sauté the meat for an additional 4 minutes until it’s browned on all sides before proceeding.*

Step 2: Combine Green Beans, Spices, and Tomatoes: Once your aromatics (and optional meat) are sautéed, add the green beans (fresh or frozen), along with the cumin, paprika, cinnamon, and the can of diced tomatoes (including their juices). Stir everything together thoroughly to ensure the green beans are well coated with the spices and tomato mixture. This step infuses the beans with flavor right from the start. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

Step 3: Simmer to Perfection: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet or pot, and let the green beans gently simmer for 40-45 minutes. This slow simmer is crucial for the flavors to fully develop and for the green beans (and any added meat) to become tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. Towards the end of the cooking time, taste the dish and adjust seasonings, adding more salt and pepper as needed to achieve your desired flavor balance. The result will be a deeply flavorful, aromatic stew.

Once cooked, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or follow the freezing instructions below for longer storage.

Serve your warm Lebanese Green Beans generously over fluffy Lebanese rice pilaf, healthy brown rice, vermicelli rice, or quinoa. Complete the meal with a side of warm, fresh pita bread and a dollop of cool yogurt sauce for a truly authentic experience.

Serving Suggestions for Lubee Bi Zeit

Lebanese Green Beans (Lubee Bi Zeit) are wonderfully versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways. While they make an excellent vegetarian main course with just rice and pita, they also shine as a flavorful side dish. Here are some ideas to help you pair this delightful stew:

• Traditional Accompaniments: Always serve Lubee bi Zeit warm, ideally with fluffy rice. Options include classic Lebanese rice pilaf (with vermicelli), simple white rice, brown rice, or even quinoa for a healthier twist. A side of fresh pita bread for scooping up the rich sauce is essential, as is a dollop of cool, creamy plain yogurt or a refreshing cucumber-yogurt sauce to balance the warm spices.
• Chicken Pairings: For a complete and satisfying meal, pair these green beans with your favorite chicken dishes. They go exceptionally well with Middle Eastern inspired chicken, such as this Chicken Shawarma Recipe, flavorful Chicken Kofta, juicy Lebanese Chicken Kabobs, or tender Yogurt Marinated Chicken.
• Beef Pairings: If you prefer red meat, Lebanese Green Beans complement various beef preparations beautifully. Consider serving them alongside savory Arayes (meat-stuffed pitas), smoky Beef Kafta Kabobs, comforting Beef Kafta Meatballs, rich Mediterranean Baked Beef Meatballs, or even this creative Spiced Beef Hummus Pita Pizza.
• Other Vegetarian Sides: Complete your spread with a fresh Lebanese Salad (Salata) or a simple cucumber and tomato salad dressed with lemon and olive oil.

Storage and Freezing Tips

One of the best qualities of Lebanese Green Beans is how well they keep, often tasting even better the next day! Proper storage ensures you can enjoy this delicious dish for days to come or save it for a quick meal later.

Refrigeration: Allow the cooked Lubee bi Zeit to cool completely to room temperature before storing. Transfer the green beans to an airtight container. They will keep fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply warm gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave until heated through.

Freezing: For longer storage, Lebanese Green Beans freeze beautifully. Ensure the cooked dish has cooled completely before freezing. Divide the green beans into portion-sized freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. This makes thawing individual servings much easier. Label each container or bag with the date. For the best quality and flavor, consume within 3 months. To thaw, transfer to the refrigerator overnight, then reheat as desired.