Chinese Garlic Green Beans

Tender green beans stir fried with garlic, red pepper flakes with the best flavor. These quick and easy Chinese garlic green beans are made with minimal ingredients in 10 minutes. A perfect side dish that isn't deep-fried like other recipes!

What are Chinese Garlic Green Beans?

My version of these garlicky green beans features fresh green beans seasoned with lots of garlic, red chili flakes, sesame oil, butter, salt and oil!

This is a classic Chinese dish popularly served at many Chinese restaurants, like Din Tai Fung. It's a favourite among many locals and it's a fantastic way to get vegetables into your diet!

Typically at Chinese restaurants, the chef will deep fry the green beans in hot oil to make them crunchy but my version is not deep fried and is healthier.

My recipe also uses less ingredients since there's no soy sauce, oyster sauce or shaoxing wine making it budget-friendly and it still tastes delicious!

This easy recipe is a family favorite in this household - my husband is obsessed with this vegetable side dish! We love having it with white rice with stir fried chicken breast for a healthy meal.

Ingredients & Substitutes

Please scroll down to the recipe card for exact measurements.

• Green beans: fresh green beans with a bright green color are the key to making the best green beans. Avoid ones that are dull in color or yellowing. They should be crisp in texture not limp. Or substitute with frozen green beans that have been rinsed with warm water and strained. Both options work well!
• Garlic cloves: we will be using LOTS of garlic to make this! I highly recommended fresh garlic in bulb form. Or substitute with jarred minced garlic but it won't be as flavorful or aromatic.
• Unsalted butter (trust me on this!): This is not a traditional ingredient but I LOVE adding a bit of butter to my recipes for extra flavor. The butter pairs so well with the garlic.
• Neutral oil: like avocado oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, peanut oil, vegetable oil or canola oil with a high smoke point. Avoid olive oil that has a low smoke point.
• Red chili flakes or red pepper flakes: or substitute with whole red chilies. This ingredient can be adjusted to your taste. If you prefer your green beans spicier, add more. Not a fan of spice? Omit completely.  
• Cold water: to help cook the green beans. Without the water, the green beans will take much longer to cook as they have a thick shell.
• Salt: to season our green beans.
• Sesame oil: for a nutty taste. If you're allergic to sesame oil, please omit. The garlic sauce will taste fine without it - I've done it before.

Equipment

• A large wok or a large skillet
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Colander
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Kitchen scale

Instructions

Below are step-by-step instructions on how to make Chinese garlic green beans:

Wash and trim the pointy hard ends of green beans. Optional: feel free to chop them into smaller segments.  

In a wok or large pan on medium heat, melt butter and add vegetable oil to prevent the butter from burning.

Once butter has melted, add minced garlic and fry for 10 seconds. Then stir in red chili flakes for 5 seconds.

Toss in green beans. Once tossed, add water.

Cover and let this cook for 6-8 minutes for desired texture (6 minutes for crisp beans and 8 minutes for softer beans). Toss occasionally.

Season with sesame oil and salt. Enjoy!

Storage

Pairing Suggestions

Chinese garlic green beans serve well with:

• starters like egg rolls, crab rangoons, egg drop soup, hot and sour soup
• white or brown rice, cauliflower rice, fried rice, chow mein, lo mein, or plain noodles
• protein dishes like Mongolian Chicken, Honey Sesame Chicken,  Orange Chicken, Lemon Chicken, Cashew Chicken, Honey Walnut Shrimp, Bang Bang Shrimp, Gochujang Chicken, Soy Garlic Tofu, and more!