Bamia Recipe Lebanese Vegetarian Style Made Easy

Lebanese cuisine is renowned for its vibrant flavors and wholesome ingredients, and one dish that beautifully exemplifies this is bamia. Traditionally made with okra and meat, this Lebanese vegetarian version offers a delightful twist that is both hearty and nutritious.

Bursting with fresh vegetables, aromatic spices, and tangy tomato sauce, this stew is perfect for anyone looking to explore Middle Eastern flavors without the meat. Whether you’re a seasoned vegetarian or simply curious about Lebanese cooking, this recipe is easy to follow and guaranteed to satisfy.

In this post, I’ll walk you through a step-by-step guide to preparing a delicious Lebanese vegetarian bamia, including tips to get the perfect texture and flavor. Plus, I’ll share some variations and serving ideas to make this dish your new favorite comfort food!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Lebanese vegetarian bamia recipe is a celebration of fresh, wholesome ingredients combined in a way that creates layers of flavor. The okra absorbs the rich tomato sauce, while the blend of spices brings a warm, aromatic backdrop to the dish.

It’s naturally gluten-free, packed with fiber, and perfect as a comforting yet light meal.

Whether you’re cooking for family or entertaining guests, this recipe is crowd-pleasing and suits many diets. It’s also a great way to enjoy a traditional dish with a plant-based approach.

Plus, it pairs wonderfully with Lebanese staples like rice or flatbread, making it both versatile and satisfying.

Ingredients

• 500g fresh okra, trimmed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 large tomatoes, peeled and chopped (or 400g canned crushed tomatoes)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp allspice
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Equipment

• Large deep saucepan or Dutch oven
• Cutting board and sharp knife
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Measuring spoons and cups
• Citrus juicer (optional)
• Serving bowls

Instructions

1. Prepare the okra: Rinse the fresh okra and trim the tops without cutting into the pods to avoid slime. Pat dry and set aside.
2. Sauté the aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for about 5 minutes until translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
3. Add spices and tomatoes: Stir in the ground coriander, cumin, cinnamon, and allspice. Cook for 30 seconds to release the aromas. Add the chopped fresh tomatoes (or canned tomatoes) and tomato paste, stirring well to combine.
4. Simmer the sauce: Pour in the vegetable broth, stir, and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and allow it to simmer uncovered for 10 minutes to thicken slightly.
5. Add the okra: Gently add the okra pods to the simmering tomato sauce. Stir carefully to coat the okra without breaking the pods.
6. Cook the bamia: Cover the pan and simmer on low heat for 20-25 minutes until okra is tender but not mushy. Stir occasionally, being gentle with the okra to retain shape.
7. Finish with lemon juice: Once cooked, stir in the lemon juice and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning as needed.
8. Garnish and serve: Transfer to serving bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve hot with rice or your favorite bread.

Tips & Variations

“To reduce the sliminess of okra, make sure you dry it well after washing and avoid over-stirring during cooking.”

• Use frozen okra: If fresh okra is unavailable, frozen okra works well but may increase the sliminess slightly.
• Add chickpeas: For extra protein and texture, toss in a cup of cooked chickpeas during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
• Spice it up: Add a pinch of red chili flakes or a diced green chili for a bit of heat.
• Meat lovers: While this is a vegetarian dish, you can add lamb or beef cubes for a traditional bamia experience.
• Serve with grains: For a full meal, serve over steamed rice, bulgur, or alongside warm pita bread.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

Bamia is best enjoyed warm and pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. For a traditional meal, serve over plain steamed white or brown rice to soak up the delicious tomato sauce.

You can also accompany it with Lebanese flatbreads like pita or markouk.

For a lighter option, serve with a crisp green salad drizzled with lemon vinaigrette. This dish also makes a hearty filling for stuffed vegetables or can be served alongside other Lebanese staples such as Half Runner Beans Recipe or fresh tabbouleh.

Conclusion

This Lebanese vegetarian bamia recipe is a wonderful example of how simple, fresh ingredients can come together to create an unforgettable dish. Its rich tomato base enriched with warm spices and tender okra makes it a comforting yet healthy meal option.

Whether you’re looking to explore Lebanese cuisine or add more plant-based meals to your repertoire, this bamia recipe is a must-try.

Easy to make and customizable, it’s perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Don’t forget to explore other delicious recipes like our Grandma’S Old Fashioned Bread Pudding With Vanilla Sauce Recipe for dessert or the Glazed Twist Donut Recipe for a sweet treat.

Happy cooking!

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Bamia Recipe Lebanese Vegetarian”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A traditional Lebanese okra stew cooked in a rich tomato sauce with aromatic spices. This vegetarian version is hearty and perfect served with rice or bread.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT40M”, “totalTime”: “PT55M”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“500g fresh okra, trimmed”, “2 tablespoons olive oil”, “1 large onion, finely chopped”, “3 garlic cloves, minced”, “400g canned crushed tomatoes”, “1 tablespoon tomato paste”, “1 teaspoon ground coriander”, “1 teaspoon ground cumin”, “1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon”, “1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)”, “1 cup vegetable broth”, “Salt and pepper to taste”, “Fresh lemon juice (optional)”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add chopped onion and saut\u00e9 until translucent.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add ground coriander, cumin, cinnamon, and chili flakes; cook for 30 seconds.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and vegetable broth; stir well.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add okra to the pot and season with salt and pepper.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 30-35 minutes until okra is tender.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Adjust seasoning and add a splash of lemon juice before serving.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “180 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “5 g”, “fatContent”: “7 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “25 g”}}