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    Home » vegetarian » Green Beans Sabzi my FAVOURITE way!

    Green Beans Sabzi my FAVOURITE way!

    Mar 17, 2020 · Modified: Nov 22, 2020 · by Sarah Mir

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Jump to the BEST Green Beans Sabzi Recipe

    We live in strange times don't we? I have been thinking a lot recently about responsible or mindful consumption from the perspective of climate change and now my lens has shifted significantly. I think about how ironic it is that countries where we are hoarding groceries are the ones where we are most likely to throw them away. Am I faulting people for stocking up? No. I am not - all I am advocating is mindful consumption. You know what's one way to make sure you eat everything you buy?

    Make it delicious

    Captain Obvious much? Maybe. But let me tell you a true story. I have never cared for green beans. I will eat them politely, one small helping only please and thank you. Neither the typical Pakistani style of cooking a green beans sabzi or tender crisp steamed versions did much for me. Then I finally found something that did.

    Green bean sabzi, two smaller dishes with chickpeas and yogurt

    Recently I was reading through a cookbook on the different techniques to maximize flavours in vegetables and it stated that charring was the way to go with green beans. Now I like the crispy bits on everything, the edge of this Chicken and Cheese Casserole, the masala at the bottom of any baked dish, aspargus roasted so it's tender crisp with charred edges. It made complete sense to cook green beans this way and from that idea this Green Bean Sabzi was born.

    Moral of the story: There is more than one way to cook most things. Find your favourite.

    Not Your Pakistani Mamas Green Beans Sabzi

    Pakistani cooks will instantly see that this recipe is a little unorthodox for us not just in technique, but in flavour as well. It is heavily South Indian in it's flavours and as a result it is just so darn interesting to eat. For one it starts with coconut oil because I love the contrast between it's rich flavour and the green beans. Then we add some nigella and mustard seeds (what gasp? no cumin? no whole red chilies?), let them sizzle. A little freshly grated/minced ginger for zing. Now comes my favourite part - heat on medium high and in go the chopped green beans and we just let them cook without moving till they get lightly charred. Shake of the pan, cook some more, until they're all done. Season, add in diced green chilies and wonder where this wonder has been all along.

    Tried it? Share what you think by reviewing the recipe below! You can also find me @flourandspiceblog on instagram! Want more veggie recipes? How about

    • Aaloo Simla Mirch ki Sabzi (Potatoes and Green Pepper Curry)
    • Bhindi Masala (Curried Okra)
    • Aaloo Gobi (Potato and Cauliflower)
    a white plate with lightly charred green beans
    Print Recipe
    4.94 from 15 votes

    The BEST Green Beans Sabzi

    Course: side
    Cuisine: Indian, Pakistani
    Servings: 2
    Author: Sarah Mir

    Ingredients

    • 3-3.5 cups Green Beans cut into 2 cm pieces
    • 2 tbsp Coconut Oil
    • 2 tbsp Neutral Vegetable Oil
    • ½ tsp Mustard Seeds
    • ½ tsp Nigella Seeds
    • 1 tsp crushed ginger
    • Salt
    • ½ tsp Red Chili Powder (Cayenne)
    • ¼ tsp Turmeric
    • 2-3 Sliced Green Chilies

    Instructions

    • Heat the oils in a large pan/wok on medium high heat
    • Add the seeds and let them sizzle
    • Now add the crushed ginger, give it a quick stir and add the green beans
    • Add in about a teaspoon of salt, your ½ tsp of chili powder and the ¼ tsp of turmeric and stir to combine
    • Let cook uncovered without stirring for 4-5 minutes, the beans will start to char
    • Move them around cook for another 4-5 minutes and test for doneness and seasoning.
    • Add your sliced green chilies, mix, cook for a minute more and serve.
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sz says

      March 18, 2020 at 2:35 pm

      I recebtly started following you and loving your recipies......can you tell me which green beans are these frozen or fresh?

      Reply
      • [email protected] says

        March 18, 2020 at 5:37 pm

        Thank you so much for following and I am glad you're enjoying the recipes! I have made this with both fresh and frozen green beans and I must admit I far prefer it with fresh! That said they are still yummy with frozen ones!

        Reply
    2. Farheen says

      April 03, 2020 at 7:38 pm

      This was absolutely delicious. So good that I made it twice in two weeks.

      Reply
      • [email protected] says

        April 04, 2020 at 9:59 pm

        Thank you Farheen!!!! I am SO glad to hear that you like it!

        Reply
    3. Mahwish says

      April 14, 2020 at 6:16 pm

      This turns out so delicious! Coming from a person like me, who is never a fan of beans. This recipe is a keeper! Thank you for sharing Sara

      Reply
      • [email protected] says

        April 15, 2020 at 2:00 am

        That's fantastic! Thanks for the review Mahwish!!!

        Reply
    4. Anjum says

      May 15, 2020 at 10:01 am

      This is now my only way to make green beans! We love it. Thank you. I love your blog and recipes.

      Reply
      • [email protected] says

        May 17, 2020 at 7:56 pm

        That's great I am happy to hear that! Thank you!

        Reply
    5. Irum says

      May 29, 2020 at 11:43 am

      I just made these and they tasted so good!! Never been a fan of green beans either but will definitely make these again. Thanks for the recipe 🙂

      Reply
      • [email protected] says

        June 03, 2020 at 7:19 am

        Yay! Welcome to the green beans side! I don't make them any other way now!

        Reply
    6. Alli says

      October 25, 2021 at 2:11 am

      Can confirm that this is very, very tasty; total non-foodie husband complimented twice, and kids gobbled up. Made with pre-snipped and washed green beans in a bag, EVOO as neutral oil, jalapeños that I had on hand (these add such a bright note). Served with plain rice and chicken curry. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Sarah Mir says

        November 03, 2021 at 11:38 am

        Yayyyyyyyyyyyyy - doing a little jig (inside lol)

        Reply
    7. Izzah says

      October 27, 2021 at 4:16 pm

      Amazing recipe, Sarah! I omitted green chilis so the kids could eat them but ended up devouring most of it myself. Thank you for sharing! 🙂

      Reply
      • Sarah Mir says

        November 03, 2021 at 11:35 am

        awww thank you Izzah! I am so touched you tried it!

        Reply
    8. Rajiv Sinha says

      April 04, 2022 at 9:22 pm

      I can't have enough of itr. Tank you Sara.

      Reply
      • Sarah Mir says

        April 07, 2022 at 6:57 am

        That's great to hear - thank you so so much Rajiv!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Sarah! Welcome to Flour & Spice, the foodie world of a Pakistani origin Canadian mama of two whose busy life and love for food means practicality reigns supreme! I love baking (duh!), my readers (extra duh!), reading, coffee, singing loudly slightly off key, and aprons.

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