Fasolakia (Greek green beans in tomato sauce)

[Updated 26/02/2025]

A traditional greek recipe that is healthy and full of taste, that might be of interest to all vegetarians out there! 

Fasolakia is a classic Greek dish made with green beans slowly cooked in a rich tomato sauce with olive oil and herbs. It’s a simple, healthy, and flavorful meal that belongs to the “ladera” category of Greek cuisine, meaning it’s cooked with generous olive oil and no meat. Served warm or at room temperature, it's a staple of Greek home cooking.

Ingredients

• 500g (1 lb) green beans, trimmed
• 3 fresh onions (or 1 dried onion), chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 400g (14 oz) canned tomatoes, crushed
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 zicchini, sliced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 potatoes, cubed
• ½ cup of fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup of water or broth

Procedure

1. Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic towards the end to avoid burning it.
2. Add the green beans, carrots, zucchini, and potatoes. Stir well and cook for 2-3 minutes to combine the flavors.
3. Add the crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, parsley, and water (or broth). Stir to combine. Cover and simmer on low heat for 40–50 minutes, or until the beans are tender and the sauce has thickened. For a faster version, use a pressure cooker (about 10 minutes).
4. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary.

Serving Tips & Variations

Serve with feta cheese, Greek olives and crusty bread for a complete meal. For a heartier version, some Greeks add pieces of chicken or lamb, although the traditional dish remains vegetarian. Fresh green beans should snap easily when broken by hand—this ensures they’re crunchy and in their prime.

(old version follows...)

Gather the ingredients. Cut the edges of the beans with a knife.

Wash them together with the potatoes and the zucchini.

Mince the onions with the garlic and fry them in a low casserole with some olive oil for 2-3 minutes.

Add the beans, the potatoes and the zucchini cut in pieces, the pureed tomatoes, the tomato sauce, the salt, the pepper and the parsley.

Add water until half of the height of the ingredients. Stir to mix all. Cover and cook for about 10 min with a pressure cooker or simmer for about an hour. Serve with a bar of feta cheese. Enjoy as always !