Braised Green Beans with Yogurt & Spiced Oil
A light and flavorful dish made with tender green beans in a rich tomato sauce, served with creamy Greek yogurt and a drizzle of spiced oil. A wholesome, everyday vegetarian meal with a Mediterranean flair — perfect with crusty bread.
A light and flavorful dish made with tender green beans in a rich tomato sauce, served with creamy Greek yogurt and a drizzle of spiced oil. A wholesome, everyday vegetarian meal with a Mediterranean flair — perfect with crusty bread.
Info
Prep Time:
10mCook Time:
20mDifficulty Level:
Ingredients
Servings: 4
- 500 g thin green beans (fresh or frozen)
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 400 g chopped tomatoes (canned or fresh)
- 2 ripe tomatoes, sliced
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh mint leaves
- Sliced almonds, lightly toasted (filé almonds)
For serving:
- 200 g thick strained Greek yogurt
- Olive oil
- 1 tbsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp chili flakes (bukovo or red pepper flakes)
- Fresh bread, to accompany
Directions
Sauté the Aromatics
In a large non-stick skillet or saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened and translucent.
Add the Tomato Base
Stir in the garlic and tomato paste and cook for another minute. Add the green beans and tomato slices. Sprinkle with cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.Simmer
Pour in the chopped tomatoes and stir to combine. Let the mixture simmer on medium heat for about 20 minutes, until the sauce thickens and the beans are tender but still hold their shape.Finish the Sauce
In the final minutes, increase the heat slightly to reduce any excess liquid and help the sauce become rich and cohesive. Stir in the fresh mint and sliced almonds, then remove from heat.Prepare the Spiced Oil
In a small bowl, mix olive oil with the sweet paprika and chili flakes.Serve
Plate the green beans warm or at room temperature. Add dollops of Greek yogurt and drizzle with the spiced oil. Serve with crusty bread on the side to scoop up the sauce.
Recipe Tips
To save time, you can blanch the green beans for 2–3 minutes before adding them to the sauce. This helps preserve their bright color and tender-crisp texture. You can also substitute yogurt with labneh or plant-based alternatives for a dairy-free version.