A person holds a pot of vegetable stew while a small orange kitten stands near their feet on a tiled floor.
Gustafsson, Jenny for CRS
Gustafsson, Jenny for CRS

Loubieh — Lebanon

Prep Time: 20 min Cooking Time: 25 min Servings: 4

Loubieh is a traditional Lebanese dish made with green beans simmered in tomatoes, olive oil, garlic and warm spices. This simple meatless recipe can be served with rice or enjoyed with fresh sides like cucumber and tabbouleh.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds green beans, trimmed and washed
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 to 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 4 tomatoes, chopped
  • ¼ cup water, as needed
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • ½ teaspoon warm spices, such as cinnamon, allspice or cumin, to taste
  • Salt to taste
  • Cooked rice, cucumber, tabbouleh or other fresh sides, for serving

Preparation

In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and onion. Cook, stirring often, until fragrant and softened, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the green beans and cook until they begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste, spices and salt. Add ¼ cup water, if needed, to help the beans simmer. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the beans are tender and the sauce has thickened, about 15 to 20 minutes. Serve warm with rice and fresh sides, if desired.

A smiling girl in a purple shirt sits on a tree branch, surrounded by green leaves and rocks in the background.

A Story of Hope from Lebanon

Through faith, family and the olive harvest, Zeina’s story shows how one community in Lebanon is holding on to hope amid hardship.

Read Story
Woman holds child in a field

Change Lives this Lent

When you give to CRS Rice Bowl, you help families around the world overcome hunger and poverty. Thank you for sharing hope and opportunity through your gift.

More Meatless Recipes

Journey with us around the world and incorporate these Lenten recipes into your meatless Fridays.

See All Recipes
A bowl of lentil soup garnished with lemon and herbs is served with pita bread on a white plate against a white background.

Red Lentil Soup — Lebanon

Make Recipe
A tortilla folded on a white plate, filled with beans, avocado slices, cheese, and cilantro.

Baleadas — Honduras

Make Recipe
A rice meal in a black bowl.

Pilau (Spiced Rice) — Kenya

Make Recipe
A bowl of rice and fish.

Baked Fish — Philippines

Make Recipe
A bowl of rice with peanut stew.

West African Peanut Stew — Niger

Make Recipe
Collard greens and rice on a plate.

Vary Amin’Anana — Madagascar

Make Recipe
image of bean soup

Ugali with Bean Soup — Tanzania

Make Recipe
Shakshouka Recipe

Shakshouka — Gaza

Make Recipe
Vegetable soup in a bowl.

Sayur Asem — Indonesia

Make Recipe
Rice and Lentil Mash in a bowl.

Rice and Lentil Mash — Laos

Make Recipe
Beans and rice on a plate.

Riz National — Haiti

Make Recipe
Cauliflower soup in a bowl.

Cauliflower Rellenos — El Salvador

Make Recipe

01/04