These sweet and spicy Asian Green Beans are a great way to add big flavor and Asian flair to any meal. They’re super versatile and so delicious!
More green bean recipes we love include my Sautéed Green Beans and Pesto Green Beans.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
These Asian Green Beans are a seriously versatile vegetable side dish.
They get tons of flavor and a bit of heat from one of my favorite secret ingredients, and just the right amount of sweetness to complement the spice.
Of course they work perfectly with an Asian-inspired meal, but these flavors are a great way to wake up dinner basics like roasted chicken or sirloin steak.
They’re special enough to serve with my Roasted Beef Tenderloin for Christmas and a great side dish choice when summer grilling season is in full swing.
Ingredient Notes
- Green beans: Make it easy on yourself and pick up a bag of washed and trimmed green beans at the store. If you buy bulk green beans, you’ll need to rinse them and trim the ends.
- Stir fry sauce: Low sodium soy sauce (substitute tamari for gluten-free), chili garlic sauce, minced garlic, and honey. Chili garlic sauce is my secret weapon for adding big flavor to these green beans. It also ups the garlic factor when combined with additional minced garlic in this recipe and in my Best Grilled Chicken Marinade (a must try recipe!).
- Optional garnish: I like to sprinkle some sesame seeds on top of the cooked green beans for a little interest.
How to Make Asian Green Beans
- Partially cook the green beans to slightly soften the texture. You can accomplish this by steaming them over a pot of boiling water or cooking them briefly in the microwave. You don’t want them to be fully cooked at this time. See the recipe card for details on each cooking method.
- Turn them out on a double layer of paper towels and blot them dry. This is an important step to prevent oil splatters.
- Sauté the green beans in oil in a large skillet for about 2 minutes, then add the stir fry sauce ingredients.
- Lower the heat and stir fry with the sauce for 2 or 3 minutes, until crisp tender. You want them fork tender but with a little bite.
Transfer the beans and all of the flavorful sauce to a serving bowl and for a pretty effect, top them with some sesame seeds. Optional, but nice.
Sign up for my free newsletter for all the latest recipes and join me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest for more cooking inspiration!
Asian Green Beans
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh green beans, trimmed
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons less sodium soy sauce, or tamari for gluten free
- 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- sesame seeds, optional garnish
Instructions
Partially Cook the Green Beans
- Use one of these methods to soften the green beans a bit before they are stir-fried.Steam: Place a steamer basket over a pot of water and bring the water to a boil. Add the green beans and steam for 3 to 4 minutes, or until just beginning to get tender (they will cook more later).Microwave: Place the green beans in a microwave-safe dish. Add ¼ cup water and cover dish with a paper towel. Cook, covered, in microwave for 1 ½ to 2 minutes, until barely softened.
- Turn the partially cooked grean beans out on to a double layer of paper towels and blot them dry.
Stir Fry
- Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over MEDIUM-HIGH heat. Add the green beans, and cook. stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the soy sauce, chili garlic sauce, garlic, and honey. Reduce heat to MEDIUM and continue cooking and stirring 2 to 3 minutes, or until the green beans are fork tender. Be careful not to overcook.
- Serve right from the pan or transfer them to a serving bowl with all of the sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds before serving, if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated using generic ingredients, and is an estimate not a guarantee. For more accurate results, please refer to the labels on your ingredients at home.
Like this? Please rate & comment below!
This post was originally published on January 26, 2014. It has been updated with new text and images.
Adapted from Allrecipes
Added thin sliced beef, double the sauce and served over rice topped with toasteed sesame seeds. Delicious!
I love these green beans. A quick tip – the Moroccan Honey from Trader Joe’s is to die for. I’m not a honey fan but I can eat this from a spoon and go away happy. It’s great in this recipe.
That honey sounds incredible! Thanks so much for the tip, Dawn. I’m going to be looking for it on my next trip to TJ’s.
Really like the greenbean recipe. Will try it. Thanks.
Green beans are actually one of my favorite vegetable dishes! I love the touch of honey!
well thank you for your sweet comment on my blog!
and I need to eat better green beans now after seeing this 😉