Chinese Green Beans are a quick and spicy stir-fried side dish for the Asian food lovers in the group. Simply sauté green beans with garlic, then add in a Sriracha-soy sauce for a flavorful explosion. This easy recipe will become your new favorite go-to to fancy up a normal, weeknight dinner.
Chinese Garlic Green Beans
Side dishes are often an afterthought when it comes to dinner.
For some reason, the meat gets all of the attention and the vegetables seem to be the supporting roles.
But that’s all about to change when you take a bite of these spicy Chinese green beans. (Yes! They taste almost exactly like the ones you get at your favorite Chinese restaurant!)
Not only are they loaded with garlic and soy sauce flavors, but they also have an incredible crispy texture thanks to a high-heat stir fry method of cooking.
If you’re not already convinced of their awesomeness, then knowing they are ready in just 15 minutes might do the trick!
Skip the Chinese takeout and make these crispy yet tender green beans. This is the perfect side dish to add a kick of flavor to just about ANY dinner!
Ingredients
To make this Chinese green bean recipe you need:
- Green beans. You can use fresh or even French cut. Be aware that French string beans will cook up faster than other types. Save time by buying them already trimmed in the bag at the grocery store. The easiest ways to prep green beans is to snap the stem-end off with your fingers or carefully slice it with a sharp knife. While you can use canned, the texture won’t be the same.
- Oil. Either avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil will work. Stick with a neutral oil with a higher smoke point for the best results.
- Garlic. Fresh, minced garlic is super important for this recipe. While you can use garlic powder instead, you won’t get the best flavor.
- Soy sauce. You can use regular soy sauce, or go with low sodium, Tamari, or coconut aminos if your diet calls for it.
- Sweetener. Opt for whatever type your prefer. Either brown sugar or honey work really well.
- Sriracha. Sriracha was used for this recipe, but you can choose a hot sauce you love. Increase or decrease the amount in the sauce to your spice preference.
- Sesame oil. This should be easy to find at your local grocery store in the ethnic or Asian food section.
How to Make Chinese Green Beans
Below you’ll find the basic steps for making these Asian green beans:
Cook the Green Beans
Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Be sure to let it fully heat up before adding the veggies.
Being VERY careful (the hot oil could splash), place the green beans in the pan or hot wok. Be sure to spread the beans in a single layer. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Do NOT stir. This allows the beans to get those gorgeous crispy edges on them.
Reduce the heat to medium or medium low and cook for another 7 to 8 minutes, stirring every few minutes.
Season Them Up
Add the garlic cloves to the pan and continue cooking for 30 more seconds. You should start smelling them clearly.
Whisk together the sauce ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. Pour the spicy sauce mixture over the green beans and cook another minute, or until it’s reduced by half. Be sure to scrape the caramelized brown parts from the bottom of the pan.
When you’re ready to enjoy these crisp green beans, top with toasted sesame seeds and red pepper flakes for some added spice.
Meal Prep and Storage
- How to prep ahead of time: You can make the sauce a day before and keep it in the fridge. If you didn’t buy prepared green beans, trim them a day early, as well.
- How to store: Place leftover green beans in an airtight container. Keep in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
- How to freeze: Carefully put the green beans in a freezer bag or container. If you are using a bag or plastic wrap, put a layer of aluminum foil around the outside for extra protection from the cold. This step keeps air out and reduces freezer burn. Alternatively, flash freeze green beans in a single layer first to keep them from bunching together.
- How to reheat: Allow green beans to thaw in the fridge. Cook in a skillet over medium heat with additional butter or oil as needed.
Are Chinese long beans green beans?
Chinese long beans are generally a shade of green and somewhat similar in flavor to Western green beans found in the US. If you find some at the store, you can use them in many of the same recipes you would use for regular green beans.
Are Chinese green beans good for you?
Green beans in general are a very healthy vegetable with many benefits. They elevate your energy, are good for your hair, skin, and bones, boost your heart health, and fight free radicals.
Dietary Modifications
The recipe you’ll find below is already vegetarian as written. Here are some adjustments and substitutions you can make to help it fit your other dietary requirements:
- Gluten-free: Be sure to use a gluten-free soy sauce.
- Sugar-free: Opt for honey or a sugar-free alternative.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Go fresh. Garlic cloves give the most flavor to this recipe. Also, stick with fresh green beans and not canned.
- Save time. You can buy a bag of trimmed green beans at the store.
- Trim well. If you get whole green beans, be sure to cut the ends of the green beans off before cooking.
- You choose. Pick your favorite hot sauce and use as much or as little spice as you like.
- Top it off. Toasted sesame seeds and red pepper flakes really enhance the presentation of this dish.
What to Serve with Chinese Green Beans
This tasty side dish is the perfect complement to so many dinners. Add these Asian-style green beans to one of these recipes soon.
Pair them with dishes from around the world, like Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce, Miso Glazed Salmon, or Mongolian Beef.
It’s also delicious with a main dish like Spatchcock Chicken, Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs, or Air Fryer Steak.
More Green Bean Recipes
In the summer months when fresh beans are easy to come by, serve these Chinese-style green beans, or try any of these recipes next.
Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic, Green Beans with Vinegar, and Green Bean Almondine are full of flavor.
Save time with a simple side dish like Air Fryer Green Beans.
Green Bean Casserole from Scratch is the perfect holiday side dish. You can also always boil green beans and serve with a bit of butter, salt, and pepper!
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Ingredients
- 12-16 oz. green beans ends trimmed
- 2-3 Tbsp. oil avocado or another neutral oil
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 ½ Tbsp. soy sauce or Tamari
- 2 tsp. brown sugar or honey
- ½-1 tsp. Sriracha sauce or other hot sauce
- ½ tsp. sesame oil toasted
- ⅛-¼ tsp. salt to taste
Instructions
- Add the oil to a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Wait for the oil to heat up, about 1-2 minutes, and then add the beans being VERY careful as the hot oil can splash! Spread them out in a single layer and let them cook for 2-3 minutes, without stirring.
- Reduce the heat to medium and cook an additional 7-8 minutes, stirring every 2-3 minutes.
- Turn heat to medium, add garlic cloves and saute for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
- Whisk together sauce in a small to medium-sized bowl and pour into the skillet. Cook for 1 minute more, or until the sauce has reduced by half.
- Serve with toasted sesame seeds and additional red pepper flakes. Enjoy!
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Notes
Meal Prep and Storage
- How to prep ahead of time: You can make the sauce a day before, just keep it in the fridge. If you didn’t buy prepared green beans, trim them a day early, as well.
- How to store: Place leftover green beans in an airtight container. Keep in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
- How to freeze: Carefully put the green beans in a freezer bag or container. If you are using a bag or plastic wrap, put a layer of aluminum foil around the outside for extra protection from the cold. This step keeps air out and reduces freezer burn. Alternatively, flash freeze green beans in a single layer first to keep them from bunching together.
- How to reheat: Allow green beans to thaw in the fridge. Cook in a skillet over medium heat with additional butter or oil as needed.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
