This savory Asian-style Green Beans recipe is so simple to make and full of flavor! It's a tasty side dish for a variety of Asian-inspired meals. (Vegan, gluten-free, oil-free option.)
These Asian-style green beans are so quick and easy to prepare!
Best of all, it comes together with just a few simple ingredients... but has LOTS of delicious, savory flavor.
They make a tasty side dish for a variety of your favorite Asian-style meals. Pair them with fried rice, noodle dishes, stir-fry, and beyond! I also enjoy serving them on a fluffy bed of plain rice, but they're just as great on their own too.
Ingredients for Asian Green Beans
For this recipe, you'll toss together in a large skillet or wok:
- Fresh green beans: You'll need one pound for this recipe. For best flavor and nutrients, try to find smooth, firm beans that are a bright green color. Avoid ones that are soft, bruised, or starting to turn yellow. (I purchase organic when possible.)
- Toasted sesame oil: For an oil-free version, replace the oil with one third cup vegetable broth and continue the recipe as written. Add a splash more broth if the pan dries out to prevent sticking. (I used sesame oil when I first posted this recipe many years ago, but now prefer it with the broth method instead!)
- Fresh garlic cloves: We'll use three cloves garlic, but you can add more or less depending on how much you like the taste.
- Shallot: If you can't find shallot, then yellow onion is the best substitute. But I do recommend using shallot if possible! You can include even more if you love the flavor.
- Tamari: Or substitute soy sauce but I use tamari for a gluten-free option. Coconut aminos could also work. Be sure to use low sodium if desired.
- Sesame seeds: You can leave these out if you don't have them, but I like to stir in 1-2 teaspoons at the end of cooking time.
Customizing
Vegetables: Include other veggies such as mushrooms, baby bok choy, bell pepper, mung bean sprouts, etc.
Make it spicy: Add sriracha or red pepper flakes to taste before serving.
Add fresh ginger: Stir in freshly grated ginger to the pan when you add the shallot and garlic. This adds great flavor as well!
Serving
Garnish: Sprinkle your bowl with chopped peanuts, cashews, sliced almonds, or more sesame seeds before serving. They're tasty, plus add nice crunch and texture!
Rice & protein: Try serving these beans on a warm bed of cooked rice or quinoa. (I also enjoy them alongside a plant-based protein like Easy Baked Tofu!)
Flavor tip! Be sure to scoop up the remaining bits of garlic and shallot at the bottom of the pan right before serving. They are tiny, but pack big flavor!
For more inspiration, also browse all vegan Asian-inspired recipes or side dish recipes.
Asian Garlic Green Beans (Easy!)
Ingredients
- 1 lb. fresh green beans
- 1 Tbsp. toasted sesame oil (*oil-free option below)
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 medium shallot (about 1/2 cup)
- 2 Tbsp. tamari
- 1-2 tsp. sesame seeds
Instructions
- Trim ends off the green beans. Mince garlic, and thinly slice shallot.
- In a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat, add sesame oil. Let heat for 2-3 minutes until hot.
- Carefully add shallot and garlic. Heat for 30 seconds until sizzling and fragrant.
- Add green beans and stir well with tongs to coat. Cover and sauté until just tender, about 6-8 minutes, stirring often so garlic doesn’t burn.
- Add tamari. Toss to combine and cook 1 minute. Stir in sesame seeds.
- When serving, don’t forget the tiny garlic & shallot pieces on the bottom of the pan which provide big flavor!
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving (Estimate)
Sodium content: This is omitted as I cannot provide an accurate number. I encourage you to calculate your own to provide a much more precise reading based on the exact ingredients, brands, and amounts you're using.
If you are enjoying these Asian Green Beans with garlic, also feel free to check out:
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Judy says
This is such a nice recipe! I only had frozen green beans but it turned out just as good as if I’d used fresh. No leftovers because my husband ate them all!
Kaitlin says
So great to hear this worked with frozen green beans, Judy! That's helpful to know. Thanks for sharing your kind feedback!
Susan says
We just made these and loved them. We added red pepper and sesame seeds, served with rice.
Kaitlin says
Wonderful to hear, Susan! Excellent additions. Thanks so much for sharing your kind and helpful feedback!
Criss says
Made it for the 1st time, and I ate EVERY ONE in the dish!!!! Perfect thank you.
Kaitlin says
Aww, that's so great to hear you enjoyed them so much! Thanks for giving the recipe a try and sharing your kind feedback!
Shari says
A new staple! Added shredded ginger and it was amazing.
Kaitlin says
Great to hear, Shari!
Emily says
These are delicious. Very simple, with few ingredients and so much flavor. I added crushed almonds on top. Everyone in my house loved it.
Kaitlin says
Fantastic, Emily! Thanks for sharing.