Transform ordinary string beans into a Asian delight with my Garlic String Beans recipe! Blanched to perfection and then stir-fried with fragrant garlic and a blend of Asian-inspired seasonings, these beans are a quick and flavorful addition to any meal! Elevate your next meal with this simple vegetable side dish that is sure to impress!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
What I think makes my Garlic String Beans recipe so great is its simplicity yet bold flavors packed with Asian flair! Inspired by my beloved Stir Fry Green Bean dish and Asian Style Green Beans with Bacon, this recipe takes a Chinese-inspired approach, utilizing a quick blanching step for that perfect texture!
Crafted with ease in mind, this dish is perfect for anyone craving authentic Chinese string bean flavors without the hassle of dining out. With tender string beans infused with aromatic garlic and savory seasoning, it’s the kind of dish that would pair wonderfully with my Japanese Pickled Garlic for an extra punch of garlic flavors to your meal. So why wait? Dive into the deliciousness of homemade Chinese-style string beans today!
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Green Beans – fresh and trimmed. Best to use medium sized string beans.
- Neutral Oil – no taste or flavor with high cooking temperature. Some choices are sunflower oil, peanut oil, sallower oil, vegetable oil, and canola oil.
- Garlic – fresh garlic cloves sliced.
- Salt – sea salt preferred.
- MSG – found at Asian grocery stores under the seasoning aisle. You can omit if preferred, but you will not get the same flavor as the dishes served at restaurants.
- White Pepper – ground White Pepper in a bottle.
Essential Kitchen Equipment
- Wok or Deep Large Skillet
Directions
☑ Before Getting Started
Use a roomy Wok or Deep Skillet. Opt for High-Temperature Cooking Oil to achieve that classic stir fry result.
Step 1 In a large pot, add water and salt, and bring it to a rolling boil. Add trimmed green beans and blanch for 30 seconds, then immediately run them under cold water to stop the cooking process and place them in a colander to drain.
💡 Blanching Pro Tip
Opt for a Large Pot and ensure there’s plenty of water. This allows the string beans ample space to boil evenly while maintaining the correct temperature.
Step 2 Add oil to a wok or a large deep skillet and bring the oil up to temperature under high heat. Once the oil is preheated, add in blanched green beans and sliced garlic. Season the green beans with salt and MSG, stir fry and cook under high heat for 2-3 minutes until the green beans are tender to your liking.
🍳 Stir Frying Pro Tip
Keep the string beans moving in the pan by Stirring Constantly. This prevents sticking and ensures even cooking.
Step 3 Sprinkle in white pepper, mix well, and transfer to a serving plate.
Recipe Variations
For a simple variation of this recipe, try my Stir Fry Green Beans, where you skip the blanching step and instead blister the string beans using my stir-frying method. Alternatively, add bacon and use my signature Japanese-style izakaya sauce to create my Asian Style Green Beans With Bacon or some ground pork paired with my signature Donburi Sauce to create my Pork and Green Beans Stir Fry variation!
Pairing Recommendations
This recipe pairs seamlessly with a variety of Asian dishes, such as my Garlic Kale Stir Fry and Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside flavorful mains like my Honey Walnut Shrimp or Boiled Pork Belly with Soy Garlic Sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I blanch green beans properly?
To blanch green beans properly, start by using a large pot with plenty of water to ensure that the water remains at a rolling boil even after adding the green beans. Once the green beans are added, let them boil until they turn bright green and slightly tender. Then, quickly run under cold water to halt the cooking process.
Can I use frozen green beans for this recipe?
Using fresh green beans is recommended for this recipe to achieve the authentic crisp texture. While you could use frozen green beans as a substitute, they may not provide the same texture as fresh ones.
How can I prevent the garlic from burning while stir-frying?
To prevent the garlic from burning while stir-frying, ensure that you add it into the pan at the same time as the string beans. This helps in lowering the oil temperature, thus reducing the risk of burning the garlic slices.
Storage Tips
Simply place leftover in an airtight container and refrigerate. Leftovers will remain fresh for 3-5 days when stored properly in the fridge.
Other Recipes You Might Like
- Garlic Spinach Stir Fry
- Garlic Butter Vegetable Stir Fry
- Sauteed Shiitake Mushrooms
- Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad
Watch How To Make It
Garlic String Beans
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Green Beans
- 1 tbsp Cooking Oil neutral
- 2 Cloves Garlic
- 1/8 tsp Salt
- 1/8 tsp White Pepper
- 1/8 tsp MSG omit if preferred
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Sliced garlic and trim green beans as needed.
- Add water and salt to a large pot and bring it to a rolling boil. Add in green beans and blanch for 30 seconds, then run them under cold water and place them in a colander to drain.
- In a large wok or deep skillet, heat cooking oil then add blanched green beans and sliced garlic. Season with salt and MSG, stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until preferred tenderness is reached.
- Sprinkle in white pepper, mix and serve.
