Spicy Chinese green beans made with chili garlic sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame seeds. Soft and tender green beans are made like in the restaurant. They are perfect for any large crowd or any special meal.
How We Came Up With This Recipe?
Spicy Chinese green bean: I make this special spicy dish whenever I plan for a barbecue or grilling dinner. Not to mention, I am welcomed by my family every time I make it.
This spicy, crunchy bite balances well with any of the non-spicier main courses.
Just chop off the tails, cook the beans, and toss them. That's it; you only need ingredients like chili paste, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame seeds.
Why You'll Love This Recipe?
- Chinese spicy green bean is the easiest dish you can make.
- It takes approximately 15 minutes to finish(like this Spicy garlic edamame and Spicy teriyaki sauce).
- Tastes delicious!!
The Ingredients
- Green Beans: For a satisfying crunch and firm texture, choose bright green-colored beans with smooth skin. You can also use store-bought pre-cut beans if you're short on time to make these Asian-style green beans.
- Vegetable Oil: Roasted sesame oil or sunflower oil are possible substitutions.
- Garlic: 1 teaspoon of minced garlic would be sufficient for this recipe; however, if you love garlic flavors, feel free to add 1 tablespoon.
- Sesame Seeds: Black and white seeds give an Asian look and feel. Stores carry them in the spice aisle. If you do not find them, you can skip using them.
- Soy Sauce: I have used the Kikkoman brand light soy sauce. You can also use dark soy sauce(which has intense flavors and with more sodium).
- Rice Vinegar: My local grocery stores in Pennsylvania carry rice vinegar, and I hope most stores in the United States have it, too. It costs around $3 to $4 and stores well in the pantry for about a year. If you prefer making Asian food ofter at your home, it would be a worthwhile investment. Still, if you're looking for a substitute, you can use apple cider vinegar, which brings a new flavor profile.
- Chili Garlic Sauce: This adds garlic and a gentle spicy kick. Substitute with the famous Sriracha sauce or roasted red pepper flakes for the intense heat.
How To Make Chinese Spicy Green Bean?
- Wash and clean the green beans under running water. Trim off both ends. Set aside.
- Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil on medium heat. Place the steamer basket over the pot and add the green beans. Steam them for 4-6 minutes or until they turn crisp-tender.
- Transfer the green beans to a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain the green beans and set them aside.
- Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add vegetable oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, chili garlic sauce, cooked green beans, and white & black sesame seeds. Stir fry until the sauce coats the green beans evenly.
- Transfer the stir-fried Chinese green beans to a serving plate. Enjoy the hot green beans as a side dish.
Storage Ideas
- Refrigerating: Transfer the Chinese green beans to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
- Freezing: This is an excellent freezer-friendly side dish. Transfer the green beans to a sealed, freezer-safe container and store them for up to four months.
- Thawing Method: Transfer the frozen Chinese green beans to the refrigerator before night and leave them for up to 8 hours. You can also quickly thaw them in the microwave.
- Reheating: You can use the microwave in 30-second increments. Place a pan on medium heat for the stovetop version, add the thawed Chinese green beans, sprinkle with water, and toss until warm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Select fresh green beans for the best results. If you're visiting your local farmers' market or grocery store, look for bright green beans with a firm texture. Choose medium-sized beans with smooth skin, free from dark spots or blemishes.
You can skip the black sesame seeds altogether. The flavor profile will differ slightly, but the dish will taste delicious.
The heat of this Chinese green bean depends on the amount of chili garlic sauce. If you find it too spicy, you can reduce the amount. On the other hand, if you prefer more intense heat, increase the quantity of chili garlic sauce and add Sriracha sauce and red pepper flakes for an extra kick(like this Sriracha green beans).
📖 Recipe
Spicy Chinese Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1 lb green bean
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce
- 1 teaspoon white sesame seeds roasted
- 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds roasted
Instructions
- Wash and clean green beans
- In a large pan, bring water to rolling boil.
- Add green beans and cook it for about 4-6 minutes or until is crisp and cooked. Check in between.
- Once it cooked perfectly, transfer to cold water. Drain it, and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add a teaspoon of vegetable oil and minced garlic. Stir until garlic is fragrant.
- Add soy sauce, rice vinegar, chili garlic sauce, roasted sesame seeds, and green beans.
- Stir fry until the spicy sauce mixture coats green beans evenly.
- Transfer to a plate and ENJOY!!
Notes
- Make sure the sesame seeds are roasted.
- To roast the sesame seeds, simply add them to a pan and dry roast them on medium heat until they sizzle and crackle.
Dina and Bruce says
We used to get these in a place in NYC. Now we make them at home! Thank you for this recipe!! So good!!
Shashi says
What a delicious way to enjoy green beans! This is going to be happening often in our home
Justine says
Delicious! Such a super simple way to add a little flavor and heat to dinnertime. We loved it!
Jacqueline says
They look so delicious I have added them to our meal plan this week.