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!
What is Chinese Garlic Green Beans?
They 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.
However, my Chinese green beans recipe is cooked with much less oil. Instead of deep frying, we are stir frying. It's an easy recipe made with less ingredients, but with great flavor!
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.
Easy Chinese Garlic Green Beans
This is the best Chinese garlic green beans as it's packed with savory flavors! It does not require deep frying. Also, it's a great recipe because it requires minimal ingredients and they're mostly accessible.
My Tasty Version is Simpler & Healthier
First thing, 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.
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 and the ingredient list is less making it cost effective.
Ingredients
You'll need the below ingredients for this Chinese green bean recipe. 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
Please scroll down to the recipe card below for detailed instructions on how to make this Chinese garlic green beans stir fry:
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 avocado 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 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
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
Can I use frozen green beans?
Yes! You can rinse them under warm water to bring them to room temperature before stir frying.
How do I store green beans?
In a cool dark place, such as your refrigerator.
What can I pair this dish with?
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:
- Chinese Broccoli Stir Fry (10 min. recipe)
- Garlic Bok Choy (10-min. recipe)
- Broccoli with Garlic Sauce (10 min. recipe)
- Choy Sum with Sizzling Oil
- Korean Spinach Side Dish (10-min. recipe)
- Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad (10-min. recipe)
10-min. Easy Chinese Garlic Green Beans
Ingredients
- 400 grams 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 avocado 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.
Did you enjoy my recipe?