Loubieh bi Zeit (Lebanese green beans - Loubia)

Loubieh bi zeit traditional Lebanese green beans that are braised with tomato, onion and garlic until tender. Vegan and gluten free.

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Jump to:

• What is Loubieh Bi Zeit?
• 😋Why you’ll love this recipe
• 🥘Ingredients You’ll Need
• 🔪How To Make Loubieh Bi Zeit 
• ⭐Pro Tips
• 🍲Variations
• ❓FAQ
• 🍴Serving suggestions
• 🥘Related recipes
• Loubieh bi Zeit (Lebanese green beans - Loubia)

What is Loubieh Bi Zeit?

Loubieh bi zeit is a traditional vegan Lebanese meal of braised green beans in a tomato base. 

It is made with simple ingredients using fresh green beans (loubieh), tomato, onion, garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper.

The green loubieh are cut up into 3-4cm (~1.5 inches) prior to braising.

Loubieh in English?

“Loubieh” in English translates to “beans” and “bi zeit” translate to “in oil”.

Loubieh bi zeit (or lubia bzeit or loubia bil zeit) is pronounced as loo·bee·yeh bee zay·te

Loubieh is also known as lubia or loubia in other Middle Eastern countries.

😋Why you’ll love this recipe

• Very flavorsome, sweet from the semi caramelized onions & braised green beans and a tad acidic from the tomato
• Easy to cook using easy ingredients
• Can be made ahead
• It’s both vegan and gluten-free
• Only one pot needed to prepare
• Enjoyed cold as part of a mezze or rolled up in pita bread

🥘Ingredients You’ll Need

Notes on some of the ingredients, the full list of ingredients and their measurements can be found in the recipe card below.

Green beans (string beans) must be fresh and in good quality.

You will need to trim off the stalk tip and then snap (or cut) into mouth-sized pieces. 

I usually snap the beans into 3-4 pieces, about 3-4cm (just over an inch) long.

Tomato is diced small and added for a little acidity enhancing the flavor of the overall meal.

Use fresh ripe tomato for best results.

Onion with white or brown onion will work well. Dice up small.

Garlic is a crucial flavor, you can add more if you’re a garlic lover.

Garlic can be crushed or thinly sliced.

Avocado oil - Originally this recipe calls for a lot more oil (hence the name bi zeit or bzeit - "in oil") and is usually made with olive oil and a little vegetable oil to fry off the onion.

I have since reduced the amount of oil (zeit) and subbed in avocado oil (affiliate link).

Salt my go-to is Himalayan salt (affiliate link) as a little goes a long way and it has many health benefits too.

Black pepper is best when freshly cracked (affiliate link). This combined with paprika (affiliate link), which is optional, gives a slight pepperiness to this delicious meal. 

🔪How To Make Loubieh Bi Zeit 

Step 1 - Over medium-high heat, heat the oil (zeit) in a large pot. Add onions, fry until slightly golden, approximately 5-7 minutes.

Step 2 - Add loubieh, tomato, and garlic. Stir through, ensuring everything is coated in oil.

Step 3 - Add salt, pepper and paprika (optional), add water. Stir everything through.

Step 4 - Turn heat to low. Cover and braise for 25 - 30 minutes. Stirring every five minutes. Loubieh be zeit should be completely tender. Serve cold or warm.

⭐Pro Tips

The last 10 minutes of cooking Lebanese green beans is crucial. Check the bottom of the pot to see if it has enough juice.

If required top up with a ¼ cup of water. Adjust salt if needed.

Stoves differ, I use a gas stove, which generally cooks quicker than an electric stove. I usually turn off the burner at the 25-minute mark.

🍲Variations

Green beans (string beans) can be substituted with flat beans (romano) or snake beans (asparagus beans).

I have made this many times before with both the above varieties and they are equally delicious.

❓FAQ

🍴Serving suggestions

Lebanese loubieh can be eaten as part of a wider spread of little meals, called mezze.

It can also be enjoyed rolled up in Lebanese bread (pita bread) with a side of salad such as fattoush salad.

Sometimes we like to enjoy it with Lebanese vermicelli rice, even though braised green beans is normally enjoyed cold.

Use bread to mop up the juices.

There are many delicious Lebanese beans recipes such as Lebanese kidney bean stew, ful akhdar bi zeit (green broad beans in oil) or black eyed beans with greens.

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