Description
This quick and flavorful Chinese Green Beans with Garlic recipe brings a delightful blend of savory, sweet, and spicy elements to your dinner table. Tender-crisp green beans are wok-seared in neutral oil, then sautéed with fragrant garlic and a savory sauce made from soy, brown sugar, sesame oil, and a hint of heat from Sriracha. Perfect as a side dish or a light snack, these green beans provide a vibrant and healthy twist on a classic Chinese-inspired vegetable dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 12-16 oz. green beans, ends trimmed
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
Sauce & Seasonings
- 1 ½ Tbsp. soy sauce or Tamari
- 2 tsp. packed brown sugar or honey
- ½-1 tsp. Sriracha sauce or other hot sauce
- ½ tsp. toasted sesame oil
- ⅛-¼ tsp. salt, to taste
Oils
- 2-3 Tbsp. avocado or another neutral oil
Optional Garnish
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Additional red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Add 2-3 tablespoons of avocado or neutral oil to a large skillet or wok and place it over medium-high heat. Allow the oil to heat for about 1-2 minutes until shimmering and hot.
- Cook the green beans initially: Carefully add the trimmed green beans to the hot oil, spreading them out in a single layer. Let them cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to get a nice sear, being cautious of splattering oil.
- Sauté the beans: Reduce heat to medium and continue cooking the green beans for another 7-8 minutes, stirring every 2-3 minutes to ensure even cooking and a tender-crisp texture.
- Add garlic: With heat still on medium, add the finely minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
- Prepare and add sauce: In a small to medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce (or Tamari), brown sugar (or honey), Sriracha, toasted sesame oil, and salt. Pour this sauce over the green beans and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring frequently until the sauce has reduced by half and coats the beans beautifully.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve your Chinese Green Beans garnished with toasted sesame seeds and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for extra heat, if desired. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- You can adjust the spice level by increasing or decreasing the amount of Sriracha or hot sauce according to your preference.
- For a gluten-free option, make sure to use Tamari instead of traditional soy sauce.
- Use fresh green beans for the best texture and flavor; frozen green beans are not recommended for this recipe.
- This dish pairs well with steamed rice or as a side to your favorite Asian-inspired main dishes.
- To add protein, consider tossing in cooked chicken, tofu, or shrimp.
