This recipe for Chinese-style green string beans is so easy but is packed with wonderful flavor! Cooked in a cast-iron skillet with soy sauce, onions and garlic then topped with sesame seeds, it’s the perfect addition to a homemade Chinese meal!
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This Easy Chinese Green Beans Recipe combines fresh green beans, caramelized onions, and a soy-based Asian sauce, making it a versatile and flavorful dish.
One of my favorite parts of this stir-fried green beans dish is just how adaptable it is! From how you cook it to the spices you use, you can really customize it specifically for your family.
I’ll be the first to admit that green beans aren’t top of my list when it comes to favorite veggies. In fact, they aren’t even in the top 5. But when they’re made with caramelized onions and covered in a savory Asian sauce, I changed my tune quickly!
How to Make Easy Chinese Green Beans
Start by trimming your fresh, long green beans. I just snap the end off with the string. It takes me a couple of minutes to trim a pound of green beans.
Then, add about a tablespoon of canola oil to your pan over medium-high heat.
While that’s heating up, dice a small onion. Now here’s where you can start tweaking my recipe a little. I like my onions caramelized! Like really, really caramelized almost to the point of being burnt.
This means that I pretty much always will put my onions in the preheated pan first. That way, they get a couple of minutes head start in the cooking process. If you don’t like your onions quite so well done, just wait and add them for the last 5 minutes or so of cooking.
Add your trimmed green beans to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally. I cooked mine for about 10 minutes or so. That gave me a crunchy texture. If you liked yours more on the tender, the soft side just cooks a bit longer.
Add about 3 cloves of fresh garlic for the last minute of cooking. Stir well to get it all combined in there with the onions and green beans.
Then add your soy sauce and pepper flakes and toss to coat. I transferred mine to a serving dish and then sprinkled the sesame seeds on for the very last step.
Variations to Chinese Style Green Beans
- You could also add fresh ginger to the final step when you add the soy sauce. I’m not a personal fan of ginger, so I left it out.
- You can sub the canola oil for sesame oil for a deeper, more authentic Asian flavor. You can also use vegetable oil or olive oil if you like.
- If you only have canned green beans on hand, I would use 2 cans of drained green beans in place of the fresh green beans. It won’t be quite the same end result, but it will still be very good and is an easy way to dress up canned green beans!
- Feel free to use reduced-sodium soy sauce in place of the regular soy sauce as well.
Looking for more quick & easy recipes
Looking for more quick & easy recipes? Check out these recipes! All of these recipes are simple and can be prepared in just a few minutes.
- Parmesan Roasted Carrots
- Shrimp Cocktail Dip
- Teriyaki Glaze and Marinade
- Fried Bananas
- Powdered Sugar Glaze
- Homemade Ranch Seasoning
- Homemade Cocktail Sauce
Chinese Style Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1 lb Fresh Green Beans trimmed
- 1 small Onion chopped
- 2 Tbsp Canola Oil
- 3 cloves Garlic minced
- 3 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1/2 tsp Pepper
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Seeds
Instructions
- In a cast iron skillet, heat the canola oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and green beans and stir occasionally to prevent them from burning. Cook for about 10-15 minutes depending on how well done you like your green beans.
- Add the minced garlic and cook another minute or two. Be sure to stir garlic into green beans and onion.
- Add soy sauce and pepper and stir well. Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Nutrition
FAQs
How to make Chinese green beans?
To make Chinese green beans, heat oil in a wok or skillet. Add trimmed green beans and stir-fry until they start to blister. Add minced garlic, ginger, and a splash of soy sauce.
Stir-fry for another few minutes until the beans are tender and flavorful. This Chinese green bean recipe is quick and easy, offering a delicious way to enjoy green beans in Chinese style.
How to cook Chinese green beans?
Heat a bit of oil in a wok over high heat to cook Chinese green beans. Add the green beans and stir-fry until they are blistered. Then, add garlic, soy sauce, and a touch of sugar.
Continue to stir-fry until the beans are tender. This method ensures that the green beans in Chinese style are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, making it a popular dish in Chinese cuisine.
How to cook Asian green beans?
To cook Asian green beans, start by heating sesame oil in a skillet. Add the green beans and stir-fry until they begin to blister. Mix in garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and a dash of rice vinegar.
Cook until the beans are tender but still crisp. This Asian green beans recipe is simple yet flavorful, perfect for adding a touch of Asian flair to your meal.
How do you cook green beans in a cast iron skillet?
To cook green beans in a cast iron skillet, heat the skillet over medium-high heat and add a tablespoon of oil. Add the green beans and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and slightly charred.Â
Season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice. This method for cast iron green beans ensures they are perfectly cooked with a deliciously smoky flavor.
In conclusion, this easy Chinese green beans recipe is a delicious and healthy way to enjoy green beans. This simple canned green bean recipes with soy sauce is easy to make and can be served as a side dish or main course. Give them a try the next time you’re looking for a new and exciting way to enjoy green beans.
