Greek Green Beans in tomato sauce-fasolakia ladera is a popular traditional dish, especially in the summer. This is such an easy recipe for the most delicious green beans.

If you love Greek green beans, you will also love Arakas-Greek sweet peas, Greek Fava Dip With Roasted Tomatoes And Caramelized Onions or Gemista – Stuffed Tomatoes & Peppers!

A plate with Greek green beans with potatoes in tomato sauce, some fresh basil. On the table, a napkin, utensils and a piece of bread.

Overview

Why this recipe sings

It is traditional delicious Greek cuisine. Greek Green beans in olive oil tomato sauce -fasolakia ladera is one of the most excellent, traditional, and healthy foods in Greek cuisine.
It is easy. The recipe is easy. The beans are cooked just enough to hold their shape, and their freshness shows in every bite. There is just enough extra virgin olive oil to give the dish a rich but not oily taste.

Here is what you need

Ingredients for making fasolakia / greek beans in tomato sauce on a butcher block.

Green beans. You can use fresh or frozen green beans. To use fresh beans, first wash them in plenty of water and drain them well. Then, trim both ends.
Baby potatoes. They are optional. You opt out of using potatoes. Instead of baby ones, you can use regular potatoes, any kind.
Extra virgin olive oil, onion, and garlic.
Canned tomatoes. I love using authentic San Marzano tomatoes like Gustarosso.
Dried oregano, freshly ground pepper, and sea salt. The three staples for seasoning of Greek cuisine.
Fresh herbs. Usually, I use whatever is in my fridge or garden. It can be parsley, basil, thyme, or oregano. It’s all good. If am out, I use their dried versions.

How to make Greek green beans

Diced onion, garlic and olive oil in a stockpot. — Heat half of the olive oil in a stockpot.
Saute the chopped onion for a few minutes on medium heat until transparent and fragrant. Add the minced garlic and saute for another minute.

Green beans, potatoes and whole tomatoes in a stockpot. — Add the green beans, potatoes, and tomatoes. Season with sea salt and pepper and a pinch or two of dried oregano. Stir ingredients and mix well.

Cover the pot and simmer over low heat for about forty minutes. Then add the remaining olive oil and fresh herbs. Simmer for another five to ten minutes until most of the liquid has reduced.

A plate with Greek green beans with potatoes in tomato sauce, a couple of feta cheese cubes and some fresh basil. On the table, utensils and a piece of bread.

How to enjoy these beans

Greek green beans can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature. Greeks mostly enoy them as a main dish with lots of crusty warm bread and feta cheese.
Serve the beans as a side dish. They go well with anything roasted or grilled like our beef skewers. Add the beans to our lamb burger bowls or part of a family-style dinner, among other side dishes like keftedes-meatballs, fried zucchini and eggplant, country fries, and dolmadakia.

What cooks are saying:

Readers who have made our Greek green beans recipe are raving about it! Here is what they had to say:

This is the best recipe I’ve found for Greek Green Beans. The ratio of ingredients is perfect. After reading this recipe the first time, I was skeptical about the amount of liquid needed to cook all the vegetables. I admit it was perfect! I have made this dozens of times. However, I’ve been making mine mostly with dried herbs. Fresh herbs make it fantastic for a celebration dinner or to impress friends… Yummy!!