The traditional Greek green beans recipe (Fasolakia giaxni) is hearty, healthy and bursting with fresh and vibrant colors and flavors. You can find many variations of this traditional Greek dish, with the most popular being the classic version with green beans only and others with broad beans with potatoes or sweet potatoes and sometimes with zucchini. Feel free to experiment by adding different types of vegetables.
prep time 10 min cook time 40 min
ingredients for 4
- 50-70 ml (1/4 cup) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 onion finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (400ml) crushed tomatoes
- 500 g green beans or Romano pole beans or flat beans
- 1 carrot, cut into rounds
- 500g potatoes or sweet potatoes, in chunks
- 1 bunch flat leaf parsley, finely chopped
- 4-5 tablespoons fresh mint, dill, oregano finely chopped
- 0,5 l water
- salt and pepper to season
- 200 g feta
1. Trim, wash and drain the beans.
2. Heat oil in a large sauce pan over medium-high heat, add onion and garlic and cook till soft, about 2-3 min. Add the tomatoes and cook for another 5 min. The traditional recipe for Greek green beans calls for fresh ripe tomatoes, but you can substitute them with canned chopped tomatoes.
3. Add the potatoes and stir thoroughly to combine. Add some salt and pepper. Add the beans ON TOP of the potatoes but do not stir.
4. Add herbs and enough water to just cover the beans. Allow to cook for 15 min, stir all the ingredients, season with more salt and pepper and lower the heat to a low setting. Cook for further 30 min (45 min total) till the beans are tender.
5. Serve it with a block of feta cheese and good crusty bread. It’s mandatory to use the bread to wipe up all that beautiful sauce.
BUON APPETITO!