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.
Servings4 side servings
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
*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)
Calories: 82 kcal | Carbohydrates: 10 g | Protein: 3 g | Fat: 4 g | Saturated Fat: 1 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1 g | Potassium: 291 mg | Fiber: 3 g | Sugar: 4 g | Vitamin A: 783 IU | Vitamin C: 15 mg | Calcium: 55 mg | Iron: 2 mg