Golden Tanoor

Iraqi Timen Lubia: Fragrant Rice with Spiced Beef and Green Beans

If you’re looking for a comforting, flavorful dish that’s packed with rich spices and hearty ingredients, Timen Lubia is a must-try. This classic Iraqi recipe combines tender beef, vibrant green beans, and perfectly seasoned rice — all cooked together for a beautifully layered dish bursting with Middle Eastern flavors. It’s the kind of meal that brings warmth to your table and keeps everyone coming back for more. Let’s get started!

Ingredients

For the Beef:

  • 500g beef, diced into small cubes
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp curry powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp cardamom
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • Olive oil

For the Vegetable Base:

  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • Olive oil

For the Green Beans and Tomatoes:

  • A wad of long green beans (Lubia), chopped into 1cm pieces
  • 5 large tomatoes
  • Olive oil

For Seasoning the Sauce:

  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp curry powder
  • 1 tsp chilli powder
  • 1 tbsp dried lime powder
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 2 tsp honey

For the Rice:

  • 2-3 cups rice, washed

Method

Step 1: Cook the Beef

  1. Dice the beef into small cubes.
  2. In a pan over medium heat, add a dash of olive oil and sauté the beef with turmeric, salt, curry powder, cumin, cardamom, paprika, and black pepper. Stir well to coat the beef in the spices.
  3. Cook for 1 hour if using a regular pan, or 20 minutes in a pressure cooker on medium heat.

Step 2: Prepare the Vegetable Base

  1. In a deep pan, sauté the finely chopped onion in olive oil over medium heat.
  2. Add 1 tsp turmeric and stir through.

Step 3: Add the Green Beans

  1. Chop the green beans into 1cm sections and add them to the onion mixture.
  2. Add a dash of olive oil and sauté briefly.

Step 4: Prepare the Tomatoes

  1. Place the tomatoes in a bowl of hot water for 5-10 minutes until the skins are easy to peel.
  2. Peel the tomatoes, dice them into small cubes, and add them to the green bean mixture.
  3. Stir well and add some water and a dash of olive oil. Allow the sauce to simmer and develop its rich flavor.

Step 5: Season the Sauce

  1. Add black pepper, coriander, cumin, curry powder, chilli powder, dried lime powder, salt, and honey. Mix well and remove from heat.

Step 6: Prepare the Rice

  1. Wash 2-3 cups of rice thoroughly.
  2. Boil water in a large pan and cook the rice until it’s half-cooked. Drain and set aside.

Step 7: Assemble the Dish

  1. In a large pot, layer some meat and lubia mixture at the bottom, followed by a layer of rice.
  2. Repeat the layering until all the ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of meat and lubia mixture on top.

Step 8: Cook and Serve

  1. Cover the pot and cook on low heat for 45 minutes to 1 hour until the rice is fully cooked and the flavors are beautifully infused.
  2. Fluff the rice, serve hot, and enjoy this comforting Iraqi classic!

This Timen Lubia is rich, fragrant, and packed with bold spices — the perfect dish to impress your family or friends. Enjoy each bite of tender beef, soft green beans, and fluffy rice as the flavors transport you to the heart of Iraqi cuisine.