Authentic Lebanese Loubieh bi Zeit (Slow-Braised Romano Green Beans with Olive Oil, Tomatoes & Garlic)

Lebanese, Vegetables & Legumes

Authentic Lebanese Loubieh bi Zeit (Slow-Braised Romano Green Beans with Olive Oil, Tomatoes & Garlic)

The quintessential Levantine mezze braise of flat Romano green beans cooked gently in fragrant Lebanese extra virgin olive oil with caramelized onions, whole garlic, and sweet tomatoes.

Prep Time

15 Mins

Cook Time

50 Mins

Servings

6 Servings

Skill Level

Easy

History & Origins

Levantine Zeit (Olive Oil) Braising Tradition

Part of the Lebanese category of dishes cooked bi zeit (in oil), this ancestral plant-based staple highlights cold-pressed olive oil from Mount Lebanon groves and is traditionally enjoyed warm or at room temperature.

Ingredients

Romano Green Beans & Sweet Tomato Braise

  • •1.5 lbs (700g) Flat green Romano beans (loubieh), trimmed and snapped in half
  • •1/3 cup Premium extra virgin olive oil (fruity cold-pressed)
  • •2 medium Yellow onions, sliced into thin crescents
  • •8 whole cloves Fresh garlic, peeled and smashed lightly
  • •1.5 lbs Fresh ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped with juices
  • •1 tbsp Tomato paste dissolved in 1/2 cup water

Finishing, Garnishes & Chef’s Additions

  • •3/4 tsp Ground Lebanese seven spice or Jamaican allspice
  • •2 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil drizzled right before serving
  • •Warm Lebanese pita flatbread and fresh mint leaves for serving

Step-by-Step Instructions

PREPARATION & METHOD

1
Step 1: Soften Onions in Olive Oil

Warm olive oil in a wide pot over medium heat. Sauté sliced onions and whole garlic cloves for 8-10 minutes until golden and translucent.

2
Step 2: Sauté Romano Beans & Bloom Spice

Add flat green beans to the oil. Sauté over medium heat for 6-8 minutes, stirring until bright green. Sprinkle with ground allspice, salt, and pepper.

3
Step 3: Slow Braise in Tomato Juices

Add chopped tomatoes and diluted tomato paste. Bring to a gentle boil, cover with a tight lid, and simmer over low heat for 35-40 minutes until beans are meltingly tender.

4
Step 4: Reduce Liquid & Rest to Room Temp

Uncover and simmer for 5 minutes until tomato sauce thickens into a rich emulsion. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and allow to cool to room temperature before serving with pita.

Beverage Pairing

Château Ksara Blanc de Blancs / Dry Rosé

A crisp Bekaa Valley white or Mediterranean dry rosé offers citrus freshness that harmonizes with aromatic allspice and sweet braised tomato juices.

Culinary Science Insight

Hemicellulose Softening & Polyphenol Infusion

Cooking tough Romano pod fibers slowly in olive oil gently hydrolyzes hemicellulose cellular bonds while infusing oleocanthal antioxidants deep into vegetable tissue.