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Home » Vegan Lebanese Recipes

Loubieh bi Zeit (Lebanese green beans - Loubia)

Published: Dec 3, 2019 · Modified: Jul 5, 2022· By: Janelle Hama

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

two white plates and a pot of loubieh
Lebanese braised green beans known as Loubieh bi Zeit

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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
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Community

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

green beans, onion, tomato, oil, salt, pepper, paprika and garlic on a white bench

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. 

a close up of green beans with their tips
loubia braised green beans in a large pot with a red silicone spoon

🔪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.

braised green beans in a pot with a red spoon

⭐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.

two white plates with braised green beans and a side of Lebanese bread

🍲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

What is loubieh English?

Loubieh in English translates to beans from Arabic. Loubieh can also be spelt as lubia, loubiyeh or loubia.

How to store loubieh?

Once the braised green beans have cooled down to room temperature, place them into an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

🍴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.

a line of loubieh bi zeit laid on Lebanese bread with a hand holding it

🥘Related recipes

  • Foul Akhdar Bi Zeit (Vegan Green Broad Beans)
  • Delicious Lebanese Black Eyed Beans
  • White Bean Soup (9 Easy Ingredients)
  • Lebanese Fasolia (Kidney Bean Stew)

Did you enjoy making this vegan recipe? I would love to hear from you, leave me a comment below and give me a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating. This will help me sustain Plant Based Folk. 

Alternatively, did you happen to take a photo? Tag me @plantbasedfolk on Instagram to be featured via stories.

📖 Recipe

two white plates and a pot of loubieh

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.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course, side
Cuisine: Lebanese
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Janelle Hama

Ingredients

  • 1 kilo Green beans trimmed and cut into bit sized pieces
  • 3 tablespoon Avocado oil sub olive oil
  • 1 medium Onion diced small
  • 2 large cloves Garlic crushed
  • 1 medium - large Tomato diced smalle
  • 1 ¼ cup Water
  • 1 teaspoon Salt or to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon Paprika optional
  • ½ teaspoon Black pepper cracked
Metric - US Customary
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

  • Over medium - high heat, heat the oil (zeit) in a large pot. Add onions, fry until slightly golden, approximately 5-7 minutes.
    3 tablespoon Avocado oil, 1 medium Onion
  • Add beans (loubia), tomato and garlic. Stir through ensuring everything is coated in oil.
    1 kilo Green beans, 1 medium - large Tomato, 2 large cloves Garlic
  • Add salt, pepper and paprika (optional), add water. Stir everything through.
    1 teaspoon Salt, ¼ teaspoon Paprika, ½ teaspoon Black pepper, 1 ¼ cup Water
  • Turn heat to low. Cover and braise for 25 - 30 minutes. Stirring every five minutes. Serve cold or warm.

Video

Notes

The last 10 minutes of cooking Lebanese green beans is important. Check the bottom of the pot has enough juice and if needed 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.
Storage - braised green beans can be stored in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
 
🍴Serving suggestions
Enjoy as part of a mezze (a spread of little meals). 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 it is normally enjoyed cold.
Use bread to mop up the juices.

Equipment

pot

Nutrition

Calories: 71kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 391mg | Potassium: 36mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 45IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg

N.B., nutrition info is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. This will vary based on the specific ingredients you use.

Tried this recipe?Mention @Plantbasedfolk or tag #plantbasedfolk
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Frida

    July 22, 2022 at 5:47 am

    5 stars
    Such a delicious side dish making the most of fresh green beans when you’re bored of boiling them!

    Reply
  2. Ariana

    July 20, 2022 at 3:48 am

    5 stars
    This is amazing! I never beans could taste like I love that you can make it ahead! I am always looking for delicious recipes I can prepare ahead of time! Thanks for this yummy one!

    Reply
  3. Lina

    July 13, 2022 at 8:28 am

    5 stars
    Great recipe! I remember making something like this years ago and then I lost the recipe. Thanks so much for reminding me. I can't wait until our beans are ready in the garden to make this. My husband is going to love it!

    Reply
  4. Nathalie

    July 06, 2022 at 9:21 pm

    5 stars
    These green beans combined with rice are delicious. So healthy and simple to prepare, thank you!

    Reply
  5. Toni

    April 05, 2022 at 9:31 pm

    5 stars
    Such a perfect side dish!

    Reply
  6. Marwan

    February 02, 2022 at 1:18 pm

    5 stars
    Atyab recette Loubia libanaise. 👍👍👍👍

    Reply
  7. Cory

    September 01, 2020 at 1:00 pm

    5 stars
    I made this for dinner and mixed it with rice like you do. it was great, light and I felt healthy. keep putting up the vegan Lebanese food please

    Reply
  8. Michael

    July 17, 2020 at 2:03 pm

    This dish is originaly a Lebanese dish and it is not an arab dish it is Lebanese .. and you should not eat rice with it .. the one that you should have rice with it is Green beans with meat and it have only one common thing with this dish only the they both have beans in it 🙂

    Reply
    • plantbasedfolk

      July 22, 2020 at 10:47 am

      Calm down Michael, Lebanese people are Arabs. You have missed the whole point; this is a plant based recipe and doesn't include meat to accomodate for those who avoid animal products. My family loves it this way and we are of Lebanese and Armenian heritage. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
      • Amanda

        July 06, 2022 at 11:53 pm

        I love green bean recipes, I am new to trying anything Lebanese. I am happy to have found this delicious recipe.

        Reply

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Heya, I'm Janelle! I've been a messy but delicious cook for a couple of decades now.

In the last few years, I've converted to a vegan diet and have fallen in love with the flavors that can be created from plants.

I specialize in vegan Lebanese food and I'm excited to share these amazing recipes with you.

Let's cook together!

More about me →

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