Description
A flavorful Chinese Green Beans with Garlic Sauce recipe featuring crisp-tender green beans cooked to perfection and coated in a savory garlic-infused sauce. This versatile side dish can be prepared using frying, broiling, or air frying methods for a deliciously wrinkled and slightly charred texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/4 cup chicken broth, beef broth, or vegetable broth
- 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Green Beans
- 1/2 pound green beans, ends trimmed
- 1/4 cup peanut oil, avocado oil, or safflower oil, for frying or 1 tablespoon for air frying or broiling
Instructions
- Make the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, chicken broth, cornstarch, sesame oil, and chopped garlic until well combined. Set the sauce aside.
- Trim and prepare green beans: Trim the ends of the green beans, wash them thoroughly, then dry very well using paper towels to ensure crisp frying or roasting.
- Cook the green beans (Traditional frying method): Heat 1/4 cup oil in a wok or deep skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches approximately 350°F. Carefully add the green beans and fry for 5 minutes, turning occasionally until they become wrinkled and slightly blistered. Remove the green beans and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil, then discard the oil from the skillet.
- Prepare the stir fry: Return the skillet to medium heat and add the prepared sauce. When the sauce begins to bubble, add the cooked green beans back to the skillet and quickly toss to evenly coat them with the sauce.
- Season and serve: Turn off the heat, season lightly with salt to taste, and serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
- Alternative broiling method: Preheat the broiler. On a large baking tray lined with aluminum foil, toss green beans with 1 tablespoon peanut oil and a pinch of salt. Arrange the beans in a single layer and broil for 6 minutes until lightly charred. Drain on paper towels, then proceed with stir fry steps (steps 4 and 5).
- Alternative air fryer method: Preheat the air fryer to 380°F for 5 minutes. Toss green beans with 1 tablespoon peanut oil and place them in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 15 minutes, shaking basket a couple of times to ensure even cooking. If beans are still crunchy, cook an additional 5 minutes. Remove from air fryer and continue with the stir fry process (steps 4 and 5).
Notes
- Leftover Chinese green beans can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Use vegetable broth to keep the recipe vegetarian or chicken broth for added flavor.
- Adjust oil quantity depending on chosen cooking method to ensure proper texture and avoid greasiness.
- Shake or turn green beans during cooking for even crisping and char.
- Season with additional garlic or chili flakes for extra heat and flavor complexity.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
