Name: Easy Sautéed Chinese Green Beans With Garlic
Prep time: 8 min
Cook time: 7 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 pound of fresh green beans, trimmed; 3-4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced or minced; 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger; 1 tablespoon soy sauce - low-sodium or regular soy sauce; 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil; 2 teaspoons of Mirin (rice wine); Optional Garnish: Red pepper flakes and sesame seeds

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If you’re looking for a quick, flavorful side dish that tastes amazing, these Easy Chinese Garlic Green Beans will become your new go-to.

They’re crispy, garlicky, and packed with so much deliciousness you’ll want to eat them straight out of the pan.

Large black serving bowl with green beans tossed in a ginger and garlic mixture. There are red dry pepper flakes scattered on the surface. There is a small wooden spoon with red pepper flakes in it. Items are on a dark brown and black surface.

With simple ingredients and minimal prep, this easy recipe comes together in just minutes, making it the perfect side dish for busy weeknights or whenever you need something with big flavor without the fuss.

Prep Time: 8 minutes
Cooking Time: 7 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Prep Level: Beginner +

What You’ll Love

Quick & easy – This great recipe comes together in 15 minutes.
Simple ingredients – Most of the ingredients are pantry staples. Rice wine can be found at grocery stores or local Asian stores.
Healthier option – Green beans contain fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. Sautéing them lightly preserves their nutrients.
Customizable – Add oyster sauce for a more savory flavor. Add a splash of chili oil before serving for spicy green beans.

There is a large shallow light blue serving dish with cooked green beans tossed in a ginger and garlic mixture. There is a large spoon resting in the dish. There is a white cloth napkin. Items are on a white surface.

Ingredient Notes

There is a mound of fresh green beans, cloves of garlic, a piece of ginger root, three small clear dishes, one with sesame oil, one with soy sauce, and one with rice wine in it. Items are on a white surface.

Fresh green beans – trimmed
Garlic cloves – thinly sliced or minced
Fresh ginger – minced
Soy sauce – I use low-sodium; you can use regular soy sauce
Neutral oil – Like sesame oil, vegetable oil, avocado oil, peanut oil, or olive oil
Mirin (rice wine)
Optional toppings – Red pepper flakes and sesame seeds

Step-by-Step Instructions

Small white mixing bowl with chopped ginger, minced garlic, rice wine, soy sauce, and sesame oil in it. Bowl is on a white surface.

Blanch Beans

Bring a large pot of water to the boil with a large pinch of salt. Add the green beans and cook until bright green and slightly tender.
Immediately drain, then rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Shake off excess water or pat dry with a paper towel.

Make the Sauce

Combine the ginger, garlic, soy sauce, rice wine, and oil in a small bowl.

Large gray fry pan with green beans in it. There is a small white bowl with a ginger and garlic mixture in it. There is a silver spoon resting in the bowl. Items are on a white surface.

Large gray fry pan with green beans tossed in a ginger and garlic mixture. Pan is on a white surface.

Sauté Beans

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add green beans and the ginger and garlic sauce. Toss or stir together, coating the green beans. Cook until the garlic and ginger are golden brown and crispy.

Large black serving bowl with green beans tossed in a ginger and garlic mixture. There is a fork with beans on it in the bowl.

Serve

Transfer beans to a serving dish. Optional garnish – sprinkle with red pepper flakes or sesame seeds. Serve warm.

For complete measurements and cooking times, see the recipe card below.

Laura Belle’s Tips

Quicker prep – Buy packaged regular green beans that have been pre-washed and trimmed.
For the best flavor – Use fresh ginger and garlic, not jarred.
For even doneness – Use a large skillet or wok. Don’t overcrowd the beans.
Serve immediately – Asian green beans taste best hot and fresh with all that garlicky goodness.

Storage

Allow the green beans to cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for 2 to 3 days.

There is a black plate with a mound of white rice in a pool of sauce, with a piece of salmon on top of the rice. There are sesame seeds sprinkled over the top. There are green beans on the plate. Plate is on a white surface.

What to serve with Chinese Green Beans

Pair these savory green beans with:

Stir-Fried Chicken or Beef
Rice – White, jasmine, or brown rice
Noodles – Lo mein, chow mein, or spicy sesame noodles from Eat with Clarity
Dumplings or Potstickers – Pan-fried dumplings or steamed potstickers
Grilled or Roasted Meats – Grilled chicken, roasted pork, or Miso salmon

More Delicious Side Dishes

Yield: 4

Easy Sautéed Chinese Green Beans With Garlic

If you're looking for a quick, flavorful side dish that tastes amazing, these Easy Chinese Garlic Green Beans will become your new go-to. They're crispy, garlicky, and packed with so much deliciousness.

Prep Time 8 minutes

Cook Time 7 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound of fresh green beans, trimmed
3-4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced or minced
2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
1 tablespoon soy sauce – low-sodium or regular soy sauce
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
2 teaspoons of Mirin (rice wine)
Optional Garnish: Red pepper flakes and sesame seeds

Instructions

Bring a large pot of water to the boil with a large pinch of salt.
Add the green beans and cook for 4 minutes, until bright green and just a bit tender.
Immediately drain, then rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. (There’s no need to shock them in an ice bath.) Shake off excess water or pat dry with a paper towel.
Combine the ginger, garlic, soy sauce, rice wine, and oil in a small bowl.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add green beans and the ginger and garlic sauce. Toss or stir together, coating the green beans for 2 to 3 minutes or until the garlic and ginger are golden brown and crispy.
Transfer the beans to a serving dish. Serve warm.
Optional garnish – sprinkle with red pepper flakes or sesame seeds.

Notes

Tips

Buy packaged regular green beans that have been pre-washed and trimmed.
Use fresh ginger and garlic, not jarred, for the best flavor.
Use a large enough skillet or wok. Don't overcrowd the beans.
Asian green beans taste best hot and fresh with all that garlicky goodness.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 112Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 447mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 4gSugar: 5gProtein: 4g

Easy Sautéed Chinese Green Beans With Garlic

What You’ll Love

Ingredient Notes