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Lebanese Green Beans with Tomatoes

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LIZ DELLA CROCE

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A humble but flavorful Lebanese classic, this vegetarian side dish of Lebanese Green Beans with Tomatoes is made with warm spices including cinnamon and allspice.

Liz scooping Lebanese green beans with tomatoes with a piece of pita bread.

Comfort food means different things to different people. For me and my family, the most comforting dishes are the Lebanese recipes of my childhood, passed down over the generations. While Lebanese Green Beans with Tomatoes are typically made with beef and served over Lebanese Rice Pilaf, we also enjoy eating them as a vegetarian side dish.

Why You’ll Love These Green Beans

  • It’s a naturally gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan dish, so you can serve it to just about anyone!
  • Seasoned with Lebanese spices, it is simple but rich in flavor.
  • Packed full of veggies, it’s a great healthy option full of vitamins and nutrients.

Ingredients

Labeled ingredients for Lebanese green beans with tomatoes on a white background.
  • Clarified butter: Also known as ghee, it is slightly nuttier tasting than regular butter.
  • Onion: I use a white onion which is mild in flavor but caramelizes beautifully.
  • Green beans: Also called French beans or string beans, they are a great source of Vitamin K as well as calcium and other nutrients.
  • Diced tomatoes: Canned tomatoes that are slightly soupy and already diced into easy to eat pieces, they are an easy and affordable ingredient used in lots of stews and roasts.
  • Tomato sauce: Tomatoes that have been cooked down and mixed with a blend of olive oil and spices.
  • Lebanese spice blend: A delicious and warm blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.

How to Make Lebanese Green Beans with Tomatoes

Liz dicing a white onion.

Step 1. Start by dicing your onion and cutting your green beans (if using fresh).

Melting ghee in the bottom of a large pot.

Step 2. In a large pot, melt the ghee and add the diced onion.

Sautéing onions in ghee in a pot.

Step 3. Sauté the onions until they are slightly caramelized and translucent.

Adding frozen green beans to a pot.

Step 4. Then add the fresh or frozen green beans to the pot.

Adding Lebanese spice blend to green beans in a pot.

Step 5. Next sprinkle in the Lebanese spice blend and add the diced tomatoes, along with salt and pepper to taste.

Pouring tomato sauce over green beans in large pot.

Step 6. Then add the tomato sauce, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes.

Lebanese green beans with tomatoes garnished with fresh parsley in a white bowl.

Serve garnished with fresh parsley if desired, and enjoy your Lebanese Green Beans with Tomatoes!

Frequently Asked Questions

What pairs well with green beans and tomatoes?

Lebanese green beans would be delicious with Chicken Tawook or Beef Kafta. Serve with a Middle Eastern Syrian Salad dressed in lemon and garlic and dinner is done.

Should I blanche my green beans before I cook them?

Blanching green beans is beneficial if you plan to sauté them, but is not necessary when you plan on slow-cooking or stewing them.

Can I make my own Lebanese spice blend?

Yes you can! I would suggest using about 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg, and a pinch of ground allspice and salt.
An up close view of Lebanese green beans with tomatoes from the top in a white bowl.

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Delicious, comforting, and warm, you’ll enjoy these Lebanese Green Beans with Tomatoes even if you didn’t grow up eating them.

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Lebanese Green Beans with Tomatoes

4.31 stars average
Liz Della Croce
A twist on a classic main dish, this vegetarian side dish of Lebanese Green Beans with Tomatoes is made with warm spices including cinnamon and allspice.
PREP: 5 minutes
COOK: 20 minutes
TOTAL: 25 minutes
Pin
Servings4

Ingredients
 

Instructions
 

  • Heat clarified butter over medium high heat and saute onion until translucent, about 7-9 minutes, stirring frequently.
    1 tablespoon clarified butter or olive oil, 1 medium onion
  • Stir in green beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and Lebanese spices. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low. Simmer until beans are tender, about 20-30 minutes or longer if you wish.
    4 cups green beans – cut in 2 inch pieces, 15 ounce can diced tomatoes, 15 ounce can tomato sauce, 2 servings All Purpose Lebanese Spice Blend

Last Step:

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Nutrition

Calories: 118kcal | Carbohydrates: 20.9g | Protein: 3.8g | Fat: 3.9g | Saturated Fat: 0.6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.3g | Sodium: 1006mg | Fiber: 4.4g | Sugar: 6.9g


4.31 from 82 votes (70 ratings without comment)

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62 responses to “Lebanese Green Beans with Tomatoes”

  1. Arpie Avatar
    Arpie

    Thank you it is very easy, but I used fresh tomatoes and added garlic.

  2. Michele Motta Avatar
    Michele Motta

    I once had a delicious Mediterranean green bean and tomato recipe that I have been unable to replicate or find. In my search, I ran across this and decided to give it a try. It is delicious! I did not have the proper Lebanese spice blend, but I made the one from the link here and the recipe and substituted five spice for allspice and it worked out great! A friend of mine gave me a bushel of green beans from her garden and I’m so happy I was able to use them in this way. Thanks again for sharing!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it and were able to make your own spice blend! Thanks for sharing how it went!

  3. KC Avatar
    KC

    simple, authentic and delicious!

  4. Kathleen Grant Avatar
    Kathleen Grant

    Lubi-khadra is the name I was given for this dish. It’s DELICIOUS.

  5. Maryjoy dial Avatar
    Maryjoy dial

    Can ihave vidio the recipe

  6. Corrine Avatar
    Corrine

    Can I make this ahead and freeze this for a dinner party? How much would I need for 12 people? Thank you!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Yes you can! It might not taste as fresh, but green beans and tomato sauce both freeze well. Depending on what other sides and dishes you’ll be serving, doubling the recipe should be enough for 12 people.

  7. Rose Avatar
    Rose

    Hi,
    How many teaspoons of the spice blend are needed in this recipe?
    Thank you!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      2 teaspoons is good! You can add more to taste :)