These sesame garlic green beans are quick, easy to make, and a healthy side dish for any meal. Fresh green beans are sautéed until blistered, then tossed in a dynamic savory garlic ginger soy sauce that everyone will love!
Make Vegetables Taste Good
This shouldn’t come as a surprise, but one thing I’ve learned about picky eaters is that the more flavorful you make the vegetables, the more likely they are to eat, and even enjoy, them. You have to be creative with how you prepare a vegetable dish if you want the whole family to enjoy it. By using a handful of different flavorings and seasonings, you can transform a bland vegetable into something magnificent that everyone will eat.
These sesame garlic green beans were inspired by the green beans you’d find in a Chinese restaurant. They’re prepared with a simple sauce, but the flavor is dynamite on the green beans. Even my husband, who despises green beans, enjoyed this dish. If I can get him to eat green beans, then you can get anyone in your family to as well!
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What Are the Ingredients
Green beans are versatile and quickly take on the flavors you cook them in. This sauce was inspired by Chinese cuisine and is so tasty. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Green beans- I use fresh beans in this recipe but thawed-out frozen green beans work too.
- Soy sauce- adds a salty, savory, umami flavor. Substitute tamari sauce for gluten free or coconut aminos if you’re avoiding soy.
- Hoisin sauce- is a condiment made from fermented soybean paste with other flavors and spices. It’s a staple in Chinese cooking and adds a sweet, tangy, umami, and spicy flavor.
- Sesame oil- has a strong nutty flavor
- Lime juice- balance the salty flavor with some acid
- Honey- balances the spice with some sweetness
- Chili garlic sauce- gives the sauce a bit of a kick, without being overly spicy. Omit if you don’t like spice, or you can add more if you like heat.
- Garlic and ginger- aromatics add a lot of flavor. Fresh grated ginger is essential in Asian cooking. I peel large pieces and wrap them in tight saran and keep them in the freezer. This way I always have some available if I need just a little ginger grated in a meal.
String Bean or Green Bean?
There are many varieties of green beans. To my surprise, even string beans and green beans were different. I’d always assumed they were the same thing. Historically, string beans had a tough, fibrous string running lengthwise down the pod of the bean (similar to what you may be used to with snap peas). This is where the name string bean came from. In the late 1800s, the first stringless green bean was cultivated and since then they’ve almost entirely replaced the stringed varieties.
Another variety of green beans is called Haricot Vert, or French green beans. Haricot Vert are slender and more tender than other varieties. I prefer the thinner kind, but I wasn’t able to find French green beans in my local grocery store at the time. Whichever variety you find will work fine in this recipe. You can find string beans loose, bagged, and pre-trimmed at most grocery stores.
Green Bean Nutrition
Green beans are a healthy vegetable that are naturally low in fat, sodium, and sugar. You’ll benefit from almost three grams of fiber per serving. In addition, green beans provide several key nutrients including vitamins A, C, K, folate, and B vitamins.
Just How Blistered Do You Want These Green Beans?
These green beans are sautéed until blistered. I let the green beans cook a little longer because the dark blistered spots add extra flavor. If you don’t want to cook them as long to keep them crisp and crunchy, then cook them for less time. Alternatively, you can blanch the green beans and then stick them in the hot pan to blister (this method will hold the crunch more!). Figure out which way you like best, you can’t go wrong.
What To Serve With Sautéed Green Beans
These sesame garlic green beans will pair well with any protein and carbohydrate dish. Here are some suggestions:
- Asian Tuna Burgers
- Chicken Burgers with Spinach & Feta
- Sesame Ginger Salmon
- Lemon Garlic Marinated Chicken
- Garlic Ginger Tofu
These green beans are quite addicting. I suggest doubling the batch because they are great leftover for the week! Reminds me of leftover Chinese takeout!
Looking For More Vegetable Recipes? Try These:
- Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
- Eggplant Caponata
- Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Oven Roasted Carrots
- Grilled Zucchini Corn Salad
If you’re trying to find more ways to incorporate more vegetables in your family’s diet, or looking for a quick side dish, these sesame garlic green beans will not disappoint.
Sesame Garlic Green Beans
Ingredients
- ½ Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb ~ 3 cups green beans, rinsed and ends trimmed
- 2 Tablespoons low sodium soy sauce or tamari, or coconut aminos
- ½ Tablespoon Hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons lime juice
- ½ Tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce
- 3 cloves garlic grated
- 1 Tablespoon fresh ginger grated
- 2 scallions sliced (optional garnish)
Instructions
- After rinsing and trimming ends of string beans be sure to pat them dry with paper towels. Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the string beans to the pan. Let the green beans cook, undisturbed, until begging to blister, 3-5 minutes. Stir and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until green beans are tender and blistered, ~17-20 minutes total.
- Meanwhile, as the green beans are cooking prepare the sauce. In a small bowl, add the remaining ingredients (soy sauce through ginger). Whisk well to combine.
- Once string beans are tender and blistered, turn the heat down to low, then add the sauce to the pan to prevent spattering. Toss the green beans to evenly coat. Cook the sauce for 5 minutes to thicken, stirring the green beans occasionally. Once the sauce is thickened, or to your liking, garnish with scallions. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
What’s your favorite vegetable and how do you prepare it? Share in the comments below. I love to try out your recommendations, and maybe other readers will love your ideas, too! Also, be sure to stay in touch and follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest
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