Asian Garlic Green Beans (Easy!)

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!)

These Asian-style green beans are simple to prepare and full of savory flavor! A great side dish for a variety of Asian-inspired meals.

5 from 9 votes

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Author: Kaitlin - The Garden Grazer

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Asian-Inspired, Gluten-Free, Oil-Free Option, Vegan

Servings: 4 side servings

US CustomaryMetric

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

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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

*For oil-free: Replace the oil with 1/3 cup vegetable broth and continue the recipe as written. Add a splash more broth to prevent sticking if the pan dries. (I used sesame oil when I first posted this recipe many years ago, but now prefer it with the broth method instead!)

Ginger option: Add a small amount of freshly grated ginger with the shallot & garlic.

Pairing: Serve with your favorite Asian-style meals like fried rice, noodles, stir-fry, or simply on a fluffy bed of rice.

Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I find they keep for about 3-4 days.

Recipe originally published October 2014. Updated October 2023.

Nutrition Per Serving (Estimate)

Nutrition Facts

Asian Garlic Green Beans (Easy!)

Amount per Serving

Calories

82

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

4

g

6

%

Saturated Fat

 

1

g

6

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

2

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

1

g

Potassium

 

291

mg

8

%

Carbohydrates

 

10

g

3

%

Fiber

 

3

g

13

%

Sugar

 

4

g

4

%

Protein

 

3

g

6

%

Vitamin A

 

783

IU

16

%

Vitamin C

 

15

mg

18

%

Calcium

 

55

mg

6

%

Iron

 

2

mg

11

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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.

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If you are enjoying these Asian Green Beans with garlic, also feel free to check out:

• Broccoli Cashew Stir Fry
• Asparagus Mushroom Stir Fry
• Hoisin Peanut Noodles

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