Fasolakia is a Greek green bean recipe that proves that green beans need not be bland. Tender green beans braised in olive oil and tomato make this a mouthwatering vegetarian and gluten free main or side dish.
If you check out our Greek recipes, you'll see that many recipes use fresh and accessible ingredients. Dishes such as Greek salad, chicken gyro and melitzanosalata use simple ingredients, yet they are packed with a lot of flavor. Fasolakia - which is made of green beans cooked in olive oil and tomatoes - is another popular Greek recipe that's so delicious and easy to make. This dish is naturally vegan and gluten free, making it a simple and hearty side or main dish.
Table Of Contents:
What is Fasolakia?
Formally known as Fasolakia Lathera, this is a classic Greek dish that belongs to the lathera category. This category of Greek foods includes mostly vegetarian dishes where vegetables are cooked in a good amount of olive oil and tomatoes. This approach to make food is also common in Turkey and food cooked in this way is called zeytinyağlı yemekler which means "food with olive oil," an example of such dishes would be our Turkish zucchini stew.
Greek green beans are the perfect vegetarian dish that you can enjoy on its own or with some pita and salad. Just like spanakorizo, fasolakia is a healthy vegan dish that's so delicious, easy and filling.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Olive oil - Make sure to use quality extra virgin olive oil for this recipe. Be generous with the olive oil and add more during the cooking process if needed.
- Green beans - Make sure the green beans are fresh and crisp. You need to trim and then cut them into 2-inch pieces. You can use frozen green beans if fresh ones are not available. I don't recommend using canned green beans as they're already cooked and therefore would change the flavor and texture of the dish.
- Tomatoes - A can of crushed tomatoes work well for this recipe, however, if you're making this recipe in summer and have access to fresh tomatoes with great flavor, you can use those as well. You can also use a can of peeled whole tomatoes and crush them as they're cooking.
- Potatoes - Adding potatoes to fasolakia is optional. I like adding it because it makes the dish more hearty and filling. You can use russet or Yukon gold potatoes.
How to make Greek green beans (fasolakia)
- Heat the olive oil in a pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Sauté the onion until light and translucent, then add the garlic and cook for a bit.
- Add in the cubed potatoes and cook for 5 minutes. They don't need to change color or cook at this point.
- Add in the green beans followed by the crushed tomatoes and the spices. Stir to combine.
- Stir in some water, bring it to a simmer and then cover with a lid. Let it simmer for 30 minutes and then serve.
Serving suggestions
Serve fasolakia as a main dish with Greek lemon rice, Lebanese rice and vermicelli or some fresh pita.
You can also serve it as a side with dishes such as soutzoukakia, keftedes, baked mahi mahi or baked Greek chicken.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can make this green bean recipe up to a day in advance and simply reheat it or serve it at room temperature.
Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. You can reheat it using the microwave or in a small pan over medium low heat.
The green beans are cooked with olive oil with fresh and wholesome ingredients, making this recipe a healthy dish you can enjoy any day of the week.
Did you make this recipe? I'd love to hear about it! Please comment and leave a 5-star🌟 rating below. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or subscribe to our newsletter to get a free e-Cookbook!
Step-by-Step Recipe
Fasolakia (Greek Green Beans)
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil extra virgin
- 1 onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 russet potato peeled and cubed
- 1 ½ lb green beans trimmed and cut into 2 inch pieces (you can also use frozen green beans)
- 1 15-oz can crushed tomatoes
- ¾ cup water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 lemon juice of
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a sauté pan or a pot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for a couple of minutes.
- Add in the potatoes and cook for about 5 minutes. Next, add in the green beans, crushed tomatoes, water, salt, pepper and oregano.
- Place the lid on and cook over medium or medium low heat for 30 to 40 minutes, until the potatoes and green beans are tender and fully cooked.
- Remove the lid and add the lemon juice. Cook for 5 more minutes, then serve.
Video
Notes
- You can use frozen green beans instead of fresh ones.
- I don't recommend using canned beans since they're already cooked.
- Instead of crushed tomatoes, you can use a can of peeled whole tomatoes.
- Serve this dish with Greek lemon rice, pita or Lebanese rice and vermicelli. You can also serve fasolakia as a side dish for keftedes, soutzoukakia or baked Greek chicken.
Nutrition
Nancy McDonald
This is fantastic! I didn't have fresh or dried oregano, but I always plant summer savory with my green beans, and it turned out to be a delicious substitute. We've used it as both a main dish and a side dish and everyone loves it either way. A little cheese, some crusty bread to soak up the sauce...yum! Today I had a nice little zucchini I diced and threw into it, too. Delicious, versatile, easy, and healthy - what's not to love?
Kristen
These turned out so great! I served them with some Greek chicken and it was the perfect side.
Nikki
My new favorite way to eat green beans! Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe!
Holly
These green beans were so flavorful! I am always looking for new ways to make veggies! Thanks for the great recipe.
Gabby
This is so easy to make and so full of flavour! A great way to use up an abundance of green beans too. Absolutely delicious.
Sara Welch
This was such a unique and unexpected dish that does not disappoint! Quick, easy and delicious; even my picky eaters gobble these up!
Gail
I have always despised green beans until I made this recipe. The combination of flavors is perfect. This recipe is far better than the Greek green bean dishes that I have tried at numerous Greek festivals. Definitely a keeper and it is now in the rotation of my favorite recipes.
Brandi
Thanks for the recipe, but dang--the insane number of ads on your site will keep me from coming back
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Hi Brandi, I'm glad you like the recipe and sorry if the ads are no fun. One of the ways for us to earn a living from providing 100% free recipes to have ads on the website. We have provided a "jump to recipe" button on top of each post to make sure you can access the recipe immediately if scrolling through the post (and seeing ads) is not possible. Hope to see you back here!
Dan
I would have to concur regarding the adds.. there are so many ads that by the time you maneuver around them you forget. Wha your are looking for. I’ll probably not comeback either.
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Hi Dan, Thank you for your feedback. Since this is a free recipe website, I earn a living by putting ads on the website, you know, like magazines that have pages and pages of ads (and you already have to pay to have the magazine). We are looking into an ad-free membership, where you pay a monthly fee and can have access to the recipes without the ads. Hope that works for you when it's live.
Lys Maruszewski
This was delicious! I added a little red pepper flake and served it as a main course with a dollop of Greek yogurt and crusty bread. Definitely making this again!
shadan ardalan
Hmmmmmmmmm, just add basmati rice to this and you have [vegetarian] Estamboli/Lubia Polo. 😉
Natalie
I served your greek beans recipe with chicken and it was fantastic as I assumed it would be. Thanks!
Phoebe
What a great side dish recipe! Ive been looking for something different and this is it!