Vegan Lubia Polo (Persian Green Beans & Rice)

This Vegan Lubia Polo recipe is a flavorful Persian rice dish made with basmati rice, green beans, spices, and optional plant-based meat.

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Why You’ll Love Vegan Lubia Polo

• Lubia means “green beans” and Polo means “rice.” This Persian rice dish is traditionally made with meat. The meat can easily be excluded for a plant-based rice dish.
• The recipe below includes the option to include a plant-based meat alternative. We have used the Beef-less Ground Beef from Trader Joe’s, but you could use other alternatives like Beyond Meat or Impossible Burger or even just crumbled tofu.

Ingredients/Equipment Notes

To make this delicious Vegan Lubia Polo, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements are in the recipe card below):

• Basmati Rice
  • 3 cups Basmati Rice
  • 3 Tbsp salt
• Green Bean Mixture
  • 3 Tbsp. cooking oil (divided)
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 6 garlic cloves minced
  • 3 cups frozen cut green beans
    • If using fresh green beans, be sure to chop into smaller 1-2 inch pieces
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp. ground saffron
  • 1/4 tsp. black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp. paprika
  • 1 tsp. turmeric
  • 1 tsp. salt 
  • 2 1/2 cups tomato purée
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1 package plant-based meat alternative or tofu (pressed to remove excess liquid and crumbled)
• 2 Tbsp. Brewed Saffron
• 1 Russet potato for tahdig (optional) 

You will also need the following equipment:

• I recommend using a Persian rice cooker.

How to Make the Best Vegan Lubia Polo

• Make Basmati Rice:
  • Wash the rice. To wash the rice, place the rice in a large bowl and cover with water. Move the rice with your hand to loosen particles. Pour off the water. Repeat the process 3-4 times until the rice is clean.
  • Fill a large stock pot with water (3/4 full), add 3 Tbsp. salt, cover and bring to a boil.
  • Add rice to boiling water, and cook on medium heat, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
  • Drain the rice.
• Make Green Bean Mixture:
  • Add 2 Tbsp. oil to a medium non-stick sauté pan on medium heat.
  • Add onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes.
  • Add garlic and sauté another 2 minutes.
  • Add the green beans, 1 tsp. salt, and spices (turmeric, paprika, black pepper, ground saffron, cinnamon) and sauté for 10 minutes.
  • Add the plant-based meat alternative, if using.
  • Add the tomato purée and the water and cook for another 5 minutes.
  • Cook for another 10 minutes or until the water is absorbed and mixture is thickened. Set Aside.
• Combine Basmati Rice and the Green Bean mixture:
  • Add 1 Tbsp. oil and 2 Tbsp. Brewed Saffron to the bottom of a Persian rice cooker or a non-stick pot (with a lid).
  • If making potato tadig, wash and peel one medium Russet potato and slice into 4 or 5 slices. Place at the bottom of the rice cooker or pot.
  • Add a layer of Basmati rice to the bottom of a large rice cooker or large pot (cover the potatoes completely). Then add a layer of the Green Bean Mixture. Repeat the layering until all the Basmati rice and the Green Bean Mixture are used (make sure to end with Basmati rice as the top layer). Drizzle another 1 Tbsp oil.
• Cover and cook for 1 hour in the rice cooker. (If cooking in a non-stick pot, cook for 1 hour on medium/low heat).
• Before serving, mix the Basmati rice and the Green Bean Mixture in the pot until well blended.
• Noosh-e-Jan! Enjoy!

How to Serve Lubia Polo

This Lubia Polo is delicious on its own, or served with Persian Salad Shirazi.

Did you make this recipe? Take a picture and tag us on Instagram @plant_basedpersian or share it on Pinterest!

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