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  3. Ghormeh Sabzi
Persian meal with Gheimeh stew and crispy tahdig

Persian herb stew with kidney beans and dried limes

Ghormeh Sabzi

Ghormeh Sabzi

3hMedium

Prep Time

30 min

Cook Time

2 hr 30 min

Total Time

3 hr

Servings

6

6 servings

Difficulty

Medium

Cost

Moderate

$$

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Ghormeh Sabzi

Persian herb stew with kidney beans and dried limes

Iran's national dish—a deeply herbal stew of fenugreek, parsley, and cilantro with tender beef, kidney beans, and tangy dried limes. Complex, unique, and absolutely delicious.

30m

Prep Time

150m

Cook Time

180m

Total Time

6

Servings

Medium

Difficulty

Moderate $$

Cost

Mediterranean CuisineMain CourseGluten-Free
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

May 10, 2023(Updated April 13, 2026)

Ghormeh sabzi is the dish every Persian craves. Mountains of fresh herbs are sauteed until dark and fragrant, then simmered with meat and the distinctive tang of dried limes for hours.

Why This Recipe Works

Sauteing the herbs until dark concentrates their flavor and eliminates the raw "green" taste. Dried limes add an irreplaceable sour, earthy depth you can't get from fresh citrus.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lbs beef stew meat, cubed
  • 3 cups mixed fresh herbs (parsley, cilantro, chives), chopped
  • 1/2 cup dried fenugreek leaves (shanbalileh)
  • 1 can kidney beans, drained
  • 3-4 dried limes (limoo amani), pierced
  • 1 onion, diced

Instructions

  1. 1

    Sauté fresh herbs in 3 tbsp oil over medium heat for 15-20 minutes until dark green and fragrant. Set aside.

  2. 2

    Brown beef cubes in the same pot. Add diced onion and cook until softened.

  3. 3

    Add sauteed herbs, fenugreek, dried limes, turmeric, salt, pepper, and 2 cups water.

  4. 4

    Simmer covered on very low heat for 2 hours until beef is very tender.

  5. 5

    Add kidney beans in the last 30 minutes. Serve over fluffy white rice with tahdig.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

  • Serve with crusty artisan bread for dipping

  • Finish with a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil

  • Pair with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette

Substitutions

Dried limesJuice of 2 limes + zest

Not the same depth but adds sourness

Beef stew meatLamb shoulder

Traditional and equally delicious

DepthPantry

Test Kitchen Pick

Olive Oil

Helpful Pantry Staple

Why the olive oil matters

On recipes like this, olive oil is not just a background fat. A better bottle gives you cleaner flavor and a better finish.

This is one of the few pantry upgrades that keeps paying off every time you cook in this lane.

  • Useful in dressings, sauces, and finishing
  • Improves flavor without changing the recipe structure

A good bottle of olive oil is one of the safest pantry upgrades for Mediterranean and Italian cooking.

Shop olive oil for this recipe

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

  • Don't rush sauteing the herbs—they need to turn dark for proper flavor.

  • Pierce the dried limes so their flavor infuses the stew.

Storage

Refrigerate for up to 4 days. Freezes beautifully for 3 months.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stove. The flavor improves each day.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (85mg) · 6 servings

Calories340
LowModerateHigh

A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein32g
Carbohydrates12g
Fat26g
Fiber480mg
Sugar6g
Sodium2g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are dried limes?
Sun-dried Persian limes that add an intense sour, earthy flavor. Find them at Middle Eastern stores.
Can I use dried herbs?
Fresh herbs are strongly preferred, but in a pinch use 1/3 the amount of dried.

Explore More

More Mediterranean RecipesMore Main CourseGluten-Free RecipesStovetop Recipes
Sarah Chen

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

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