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Restaurant-Style Garlic Green Beans (Dry Fried)

Close-up of vibrant green beans coated in a rich, dark chinese green beans with garlic sauce.
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Make blistered green beans with a punchy garlic soy sauce right in your wok or skillet. This quick Chinese side dish brings takeout flavor home.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
  • 3 tablespoons neutral oil (like canola or peanut)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten free)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Wash and thoroughly dry the green beans. Moisture prevents proper blistering.
  2. Heat the neutral oil in a wok or large, heavy skillet over high heat until it shimmers.
  3. Add the green beans in a single layer if possible. Cook without stirring for 2 to 3 minutes to allow them to blister and char slightly.
  4. Toss the beans and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until they are tender-crisp and have dark spots, about 5 to 7 minutes total. Remove the beans from the wok and set them aside.
  5. Reduce the heat to medium. Add a little more oil if the pan looks dry. Add the minced garlic and ginger to the wok. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant; do not let the garlic burn.
  6. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes, if using.
  7. Return the green beans to the wok. Pour the sauce mixture over the beans. Toss quickly to coat everything evenly. Cook for 1 minute until the sauce thickens slightly.
  8. Remove from heat and serve immediately as a great Chinese side dish.

Notes

  • For a spicier version, try adding 1 teaspoon of Sichuan peppercorns with the garlic and ginger.
  • If you do not have fresh ginger, you can substitute 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger.
  • You can substitute vegetable broth for a small amount of the soy sauce if you prefer a less salty flavor.
  • These wok fried green beans pair well with fried rice or any simple baked tofu recipe.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonswirl.com/chinese-green-beans-with-garlic-sauce/