Chinese Garlic Green Beans. Tender green beans stir fried with garlic, red pepper flakes packed with the best flavor. The perfect side dish made with simple ingredients. Ready in 10 minutes!
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What are Chinese Garlic Green Beans?
Chinese Garlic Green Beans are garlicky green beans deep fried in hot oil on medium high heat and seasoned with garlic, a little spice, ginger and other sauces. A classic dish popularly served at many Chinese restaurants, like Din Tai Fung. Restaurant style green beans are usually crunchy and flavorful from the variety of aromatics.
Many Chinese style garlic green beans require deep frying or dry frying in too much oil at a high smoke point for that crunchy texture. Secondly, most recipes require regular soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, sesame seeds, which is an extra cost.
My Tasty Version is Simpler & Healthier
The good thing about my version is it's the easiest way to make these amazing green beans in a healthier way! We are not deep frying on medium-high heat - we are stir frying in less oil. Also, the ingredient list is less making it cost effective but it still has great flavor!
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
Please scroll down to the recipe card for exact measurements.
- Fresh green beans: fresh beans with a bright green color are the key to making the best green beans. If they are dull in color or yellowing, you will taste it. They should be crisp in texture as well, not limp.
- Garlic cloves: we will be using LOTS of garlic to make this popular dish. They don't call them garlic green beans for nothing! I highly recommended fresh garlic in bulb form but you may use jarred minced garlic if you wish.
- 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. The oil prevents the butter from burning. Avoid olive oil or coconut oil as they're overpowering in scent and taste.
- 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 bean. Without the water, the green beans will take much longer to cook as they have a thick shell.
- Salt: to help season our green beans and to bring out that garlicky flavor!
- 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
How to make Chinese Garlic Green Beans
Wash & Trim Green Beans
Wash and trim the pointy hard ends of green beans. Optional: feel free to chop them into smaller segments.
Heat Butter & Oil
In a wok or large skillet on medium heat, melt butter and add vegetable oil to prevent the butter from burning.
Add Garlic & Chili Flakes
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
Mix in green beans. Once mixed, add water.
Cook Green Beans
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
Season with sesame oil and salt. Enjoy!
Storage & Reheating
These garlic spicy green beans will last up to 4 days stored in an airtight container in the fridge. To reheat, pan fry on the stove or microwave for 2-3 minutes until hot.
FAQ
Yes! You can rinse them under warm water to bring them to room temperature before stir frying.
In a cool dark place, such as your refrigerator.
This can be served with white rice and a main dish, like my easy and delicious Mongolian Chicken, Salt and Pepper Chicken or any protein dish of your choice!
Other Asian Vegetable Recipes You May Like!
If you enjoyed my Chinese spicy garlic green beans recipe, you may like these:
📖 Recipe
Easy 10-min. Chinese Garlic Green Beans
Ingredients
- 14 oz green beans ends trimmed
- 6-8 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon butter unsalted
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or any neutral oil
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes optional
- 3 tablespoon water to help cook green beans
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions
- Wash and trim the pointy hard ends of green beans. Optional: feel free to chop them into smaller segments.
- In a wok or large skillet 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.
- Mix in green beans. Once mixed, add water. Cover and 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!
Notes
These garlic spicy green beans will last up to 4 days stored in an airtight container in the fridge. To reheat, pan fry on the stove or microwave for 2-3 minutes until hot.
Joan C
I love watching your videos I love that all of your recipes are easy to follow .
Christie Lai
Thanks so much Joan! I appreciate this kind review and glad they're all easy to follow 🙂