This is a traditional Lebanese recipe that you are going to LOVE! Slow cooked braised beef and green beans, spiced with cinnamon and cumin. (Do we need to do a trust fall? TRUST ME guys! My whole family loves this dish!)

Lebanese Lubee Braised Beef and Green Bean Stew

Heartwarming Lebanese Lubee: The Ultimate Braised Beef and Green Bean Stew

Prepare your taste buds for an unforgettable culinary journey to the heart of Lebanon with this incredible Braised Beef and Green Bean Stew, known affectionately as Lubee. This traditional Lebanese recipe masterfully combines tender, slow-cooked beef with fresh green beans, all infused with a symphony of warm, aromatic spices like cinnamon and cumin. It’s a dish that embodies comfort, tradition, and the rich flavors of Middle Eastern cuisine, promising to become a beloved staple in your family’s meal rotation.

Discover the Rich Flavors of Middle Eastern Cuisine

For too long, the vibrant and diverse world of Middle Eastern cuisine has been a hidden gem, yet its time to shine is rapidly approaching. While Thai and Indian dishes have soared in popularity, the culinary traditions of Lebanon, Syria, and neighboring regions offer an equally, if not more, captivating array of flavors, aromas, and textures. With its emphasis on fresh ingredients, lean proteins, and an exquisite balance of spices, Middle Eastern food is not only incredibly delicious but also remarkably wholesome. From aromatic stews to refreshing salads and succulent grilled meats, this cuisine is a treasure trove of healthy, flavorful dishes just waiting to be explored by a wider audience. Mark my words: expect to see these captivating flavors taking center stage in the global culinary scene in the coming decades.

What is Lebanese Lubee (Braised Beef and Green Bean Stew)?

Lebanese Lubee, or Loubia, is a cherished stew deeply rooted in the culinary heritage of Lebanon. At its core, it’s a hearty and comforting dish made from slow-braised beef and fresh green beans, cooked in a rich, flavorful tomato sauce. What truly sets Lubee apart are the distinctive Middle Eastern spices, particularly cinnamon and cumin, which impart a unique warmth and depth that elevate it beyond a simple beef stew. It’s often served over fluffy rice, providing a complete and satisfying meal that’s perfect for family gatherings, Sunday dinners, or any evening when you crave a nourishing and profoundly flavorful dish. The slow cooking process transforms humble ingredients into a luxurious, melt-in-your-mouth experience, making it a true testament to the art of traditional home cooking.

My own home, much like many bustling family households, often feels like a delightful (and sometimes chaotic) testing ground for both independence and resilience. Just yesterday, my little one managed to get herself stuck upside down in our screen door, a casualty of countless tiny hands pushing and pulling. And yes, my first instinct was to grab the camera, not just because they’re absolutely adorable, but also because, as parents, we learn to appreciate those moments of self-sufficiency. This isn’t cruel, it’s fostering independence, right?

It’s these moments that remind me how a comforting, hearty meal can bring everyone back together, grounded and nourished. And Lubee, with its slow-cooked goodness, is exactly that kind of meal. It’s perfect for those busy days when you need something robust and flavorful to fuel your family after all their “independent problem-solving.”

A Taste of Tradition: Our Lubee Recipe Journey

This particular Lubee recipe comes to us through my talented friend, Liz, who blogs over at The Lemon Bowl. I’ve been a long-time admirer of Liz’s approach to cooking; her recipes are consistently fresh, healthy, and incredibly flavorful. As a Syrian-American, Liz has lovingly compiled many of her family’s most treasured recipes into her e-cookbook, Food From Our Ancestors: The Ultimate Syrian Sunday Dinner. This collection is a beautiful testament to the power of food in preserving cultural heritage and bringing families together.

Liz’s cookbook is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to explore authentic Middle Eastern home cooking. You can grab her individual e-cookbook here for just $3.99, or dive deeper with the ebook bundle for $12.99, which includes three other fantastic cookbooks. It’s a small investment for a wealth of delicious, healthy, and traditional recipes that will enrich your culinary repertoire.

The Magic of Slow Braising: Tender Beef Every Time

What makes Lubee truly exceptional is the art of slow braising. This cooking method is perfect for tougher cuts of meat, like chuck roast, transforming them into incredibly tender, melt-in-your-mouth morsels. By searing the beef first to create a beautiful crust, then simmering it gently in a flavorful liquid for hours, the connective tissues in the meat break down, resulting in unparalleled succulence and a depth of flavor that can only be achieved with time and patience.

Interestingly, when I first read through Liz’s recipe, I was struck by its similarity to another beloved braised beef dish we frequently make: my brother-in-law’s family recipe for Traditional Tejano Carne Guisada. Both recipes share the fundamental technique of browning beef with onions, then slow-cooking it in a rich, savory sauce. The main difference lies in the spice profiles – Tejano flavors versus the distinct Middle Eastern blend of cinnamon and cumin – and, of course, the addition of green beans in Lubee. This comparison highlights the universal appeal of braised beef and how simple spice changes can transport a dish to an entirely new culinary landscape. The result is consistently the most tender, flavorful beef you’ve ever tasted.

I love these prepped green beans they have in the produce section!

The Surprising Star: Savory Cinnamon

One ingredient in this Lubee recipe often raises eyebrows for those unfamiliar with Middle Eastern cuisine: a full tablespoon of cinnamon. For many Western palates, cinnamon is almost exclusively associated with sweet dishes – cinnamon rolls, apple pie, and other desserts. However, in Middle Eastern cooking, cinnamon plays a vital and versatile role in savory preparations, lending an incredible warmth, depth, and earthy aroma without any hint of sweetness. It’s a revelation!

In Lubee, cinnamon doesn’t make your beef taste like a dessert. Instead, it contributes a complex, earthy note that perfectly complements the rich beef and tangy tomato sauce. Combined with cumin, it creates an aromatic backdrop that is both comforting and exotic, transforming the stew into something truly special. Trust me on this: this dish will expand your understanding of what cinnamon can achieve in the kitchen. It’s a key component to the authentic flavor profile of this Lebanese classic.

If you’re an early bird, you can often catch me making dishes like this on my Instagram stories! It’s a great way to see the process unfold in real-time.

Crafting Your Lubee: Stovetop vs. Slow Cooker

Whether you prefer a hands-on approach or the convenience of set-it-and-forget-it cooking, this Lubee recipe can be adapted for both stovetop and slow cooker methods. Both yield incredibly tender beef and delicious results, making it flexible for your schedule.

Stovetop Method: This approach allows for greater control over the browning of the beef and sautéing of the onions, which builds a crucial flavor base. You’ll sear the beef in a large pot, then soften the onions, add spices, and finally combine everything with tomato sauce to simmer low and slow for a couple of hours. This method is perfect if you enjoy the process of cooking and can monitor the stew periodically.
Slow Cooker Method: For busy weekdays or when you want to minimize active cooking time, the slow cooker is your best friend. After the initial browning of the beef and sautéing of aromatics on the stovetop (which is highly recommended for flavor development), you simply transfer everything to the slow cooker. Let it work its magic on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 4 hours. This makes Lubee an ideal meal prep option, especially for occasions like Halloween night, offering a hearty, stick-to-your-ribs meal that might just help curb the candy cravings!

No matter which method you choose, the key is the slow, gentle cooking that allows the flavors to meld and the beef to become incredibly tender. Adjust the liquid and heat as needed to maintain a gentle simmer, ensuring the best texture and consistency.

Essential Ingredients for Authentic Lubee

Creating an authentic Lebanese Lubee relies on a few key ingredients that are easily accessible:

Chuck Roast: This cut is ideal for braising, becoming incredibly tender over time. Pre-cut stew meat also works perfectly for convenience.
Clarified Butter (Ghee): Ghee adds a rich, nutty flavor and has a high smoke point, ideal for searing. If you don’t have it, a mix of olive oil and regular butter is a great substitute.
Onions and Garlic: The aromatic foundation of any good stew, building layers of savory flavor.
Cinnamon and Cumin: The distinctive spice blend that gives Lubee its unique Middle Eastern character. Don’t be shy with the cinnamon; it’s used for its savory notes here.
Tomato Sauce: Forms the rich, comforting base of the stew, providing acidity and body.
Green Beans: Fresh or frozen, cut into 2-inch pieces, they add a vibrant color, texture, and wholesome goodness to the dish.
Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning the beef and balancing the overall flavors.

Serving Suggestions and Perfect Pairings

Lebanese Lubee is traditionally served piping hot over a bed of fluffy white rice, allowing the rice to soak up all the delicious, spiced tomato sauce. To enhance the experience, a dollop of plain Greek yogurt on top adds a creamy, tangy contrast that perfectly balances the rich stew. A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley not only provides a pop of color but also a fresh herbal note that brightens the dish.

For a complete meal, consider pairing your Lubee with a simple side salad, dressed lightly with lemon juice and olive oil, or some warm flatbread for scooping up every last bit of that incredible sauce. This dish truly stands on its own as a fulfilling and flavorful meal, perfect for any occasion.

Braised Beef and Green Bean Stew (Lebanese Lubee)

4.75 out of 5 stars from 4 votes

Prep:

10

Cook:

3

Total:

3 10

Servings:

4 Servings

Braised Beef and Green Bean Stew (Lebanese Lubee) from The Food Charlatan

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Ingredients

▢ 2 tablespoons clarified butter, ghee*
▢ 1 pound chuck roast, cut into bite-sized pieces**
▢ salt and pepper
▢ 1 large onion, chopped
▢ 1 tablespoon cinnamon
▢ 1 teaspoon cumin
▢ 1 & 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
▢ 32 ounces tomato sauce
▢ 1 pound green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces***
▢ chopped parsley, to garnish
▢ plain Greek yogurt, to garnish
▢ hot rice, to serve with

Instructions

Stovetop Instructions:

Heat a large stock pot (with a wide bottom) over medium-high heat. When it is hot, add clarified butter (or a mix of olive oil and butter will do).
Spread the beef chunks out on a plate or cutting board. Sprinkle with a generous amount of salt and pepper (about 1 teaspoon+ salt).
When the oil/butter is hot, add the beef. Separate each piece and make sure it is touching the bottom of the pan. You don’t want the pieces to touch each other, ideally.
Cook for about 2 minutes, then use tongs to flip each piece of beef. Brown the other side for 1-2 minutes, then remove the meat to a plate and set aside.
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onions and saute until softened, about 4-5 minutes.
Add the beef back to the pot. Add cinnamon, cumin, garlic, another 1/2 teaspoon of salt and a few more grinds of pepper. Cook for 1 minute.
Add 32 ounces of tomato sauce and stir, scraping up browned bits.
Turn the heat down to low or medium low. You want it to be at a slight simmer and have some movement, but not some much that you will cook off all the liquid. I usually put the lid on, tilted so that it can vent.
Simmer for 2 hours, stirring every 1/2 hour or so. Adjust the heat setting as necessary.
Add the green beans and stir. Continue simmering for half hour to 45 minutes, until the green beans are tender and the meat is falling apart. You should be able to use a wooden spoon to break a piece of meat in half.
Serve with hot rice, and garnish with plain Greek yogurt and chopped parsley.

Slow Cooker Instructions:

Follow stovetop instructions through Step 6 (adding the spices and garlic).
Add 24 ounces of tomato sauce (3 8-oz cans). Scrape up browned bits.
Transfer to a slow cooker. Add the green beans and stir. Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6-7 hours.
(If you accidentally added the full 32 ounces of tomato sauce to the slow cooker, don’t stress about it. It will just be a little more liquid-y. You can combat this by turning the heat to high and removing the lid for the last 30 minutes of cook time, in an effort to cook off some of the liquid.)

Notes

*I didn’t have any, so I used 1 tablespoon olive oil and one tablespoon butter.

**I actually used the pre-cut stew meat they usually sell in the meat department at the grocery store.

***You can use frozen green beans!

This recipe is adapted from Liz at the Lemon Bowl! It’s in her new cookbook Food From Our Ancestors: The Ultimate Syrian Sunday Dinner.

Nutrition

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Lebanese

Calories: 721

Keyword: braised beef, green beans, stew

Did you make this? I’d love to see it!
Mention @thefoodcharlatan or tag #thefoodcharlatan!

Explore More Comforting Recipes

If you loved this Lebanese Lubee, you’re in for a treat with these other comforting and flavorful dishes:

Chicken Shawarma: Another classic Lebanese street food, this juicy chicken wrap is packed with fresh veggies and an irresistibly garlicky white sauce. Perfect for a quick, flavorful meal!
Traditional Tejano Carne Guisada (Braised Beef for Tacos): This incredible Tex-Mex braised beef is a huge family favorite and shares a comforting, slow-cooked tenderness very similar to our Lubee. Ideal for delicious tacos!
Beef Barley Soup: Embrace the goodness of braised beef in this hearty and warming soup. It’s a killer recipe that will keep you cozy on chilly days!
Asian Seared Chicken with Stir-Fried Green Beans: If you’re looking for another delicious way to incorporate green beans, this Asian-inspired chicken dish is quick, healthy, and full of flavor.

Discover Lubee from Other Culinary Voices

For more variations and takes on this delicious Lebanese classic, check out these wonderful recipes from other food bloggers:

Lebanese Green Beans (Lubee) from A Cedar Spoon
Lebanese Green Beans from The Orgasmic Chef
Lebanese Green Beans and Lamb from Genius Kitchen

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