These stir-fried green beans with hints of garlic and ginger are a quick, easy, and flavorful side dish that pairs well with many main courses. It is the perfect accompaniment for chicken, fish, beef, and pork.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients on the recipe card below.
- Green beans: Use regular string beans or French green beans, also known as Haricots Verts.
- Soy sauce: Preferably low sodium
- Rice vinegar: Substitute champagne vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
- Sesame oil: It is a key ingredient that adds a lot of flavor. It will last in a cool, dark place for 8 months or in the refrigerator for up to 2 years.
- Red pepper flakes: They add just a touch of heat.
- Oil: Use an oil with a high smoke point, such as canola, vegetable, or safflower.
- Ginger: Freshly grated or ginger paste. Ginger paste is sold in tubes in the refrigerated produce section of most grocery stores. It keeps for weeks stored in the refrigerator.
How To Make Stir-Fried Green Beans
This is a summary version; for the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please refer to the recipe card below.
- Mix the soy sauce, vinegar, water, brown sugar, sesame oil, and crushed red pepper in a small bowl.
- Cook the green beans in hot oil at medium-high heat for a few minutes.
- Add the soy sauce mixture and continue cooking until the desired tenderness. They are best crisp-tender.
- Turn the heat down to low, add the garlic and ginger, and cook for 1 minute. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.
Preparation Tips
- It really is not necessary to blanch your green beans unless you like them very soft. We prefer them crisp-tender; you can achieve fairly tender beans without blanching them.
- Reduce the heat to low before adding the garlic and ginger. Garlic turns very bitter if burnt.
- These beans are crisp tender. If you want them more tender, add 1 tablespoon of water to the skillet and cover it. Cook them until the water is gone. This will take about 2 minutes and should be done after the first stir-fry period of 2 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
I love to serve this dish with beef bulgogi, bourbon chicken, and black pepper chicken. For a vegetarian meal, serve over jasmine or basmati rice with a side of cream cheese wontons.
More Stir Fry Recipes
Stir Fried Green Beans
These stir-fried green beans with hints of garlic and ginger are a quick, easy, and flavorful side dish that pairs well with many main courses.
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Servings: 4
Calories: 102kcal
Ingredients
- 1 lb. green beans trimmed and cut in 1 1/2 lengths
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1½ teaspoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- ⅛-¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes see notes
- 1½ tablespoon canola oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger minced
- toasted sesame seeds optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl and mix together the soy sauce, vinegar, water, brown sugar, sesame oil and crushed red pepper.
- Heat oil over medium-high heat in a wok or large skillet. The oil should be very hot and just starting to smoke. Add the green beans and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Add the soy sauce mixture and continue cooking for 2 minutes or until the desired tenderness. The beans are best crisp-tender.
- Turn the heat down to low, add the garlic and ginger, and cook for 1 minute. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the microwave for short intervals at reduced power until warm.
Nutrition
Calories: 102kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 297mg | Potassium: 287mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 801IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 1mg
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Terri
This is so good. I added beef strips for a different take on beef and broccoli almost. Loved it.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Terri!
ReeAnne S
Stir fry green beans is about the only way I eat green beans, for some reason I’m not a fan of when they’re quite hard. This was a yummy way to do them x
Karen
I love fried green beans and I usually fry them and add a nob of butter for flavor. Adding ginger and garlic was another level, sooooo good. Thank you so much for the recipe, I love it.
Beth Pierce
So happy that you liked them!
Laurie Ann
I really love green beans. Stir frying them with the ginger works so well – I love the flavour it adds to them. It makes for a very tasty side dish!!
Kira
Love a stir fry dish and my younger two girls love green beans, so this was right up our alley. Thanks for another great recipe, Beth!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Kira!
Mahy
Thank you for sharing yet another great way to cook green beans. My favorite ingredient, and yes, I’ve already tried so many different recipes. Love them all!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Mahy!
Corinne
This looks right up my street as I’m always trying to use up fresh veg from the fridge. I love anything with garlic and ginger like this, it sounds so simple but full of flavour.
Beth Pierce
I agree, Corinne!
Marie A
Love how simple yet delicious this recipe is. Garlic and ginger always make everything taste amazing.
Beth Pierce
They really do!
Dave Jordan
Thourghally enjoyable beans. Easy to make and very tasty, a great addition to our Roast Pork!!
Beth Pierce
Awesome! Thanks Dave! So glad that you enjoyed them!
Kay
Had a bag of frozen beans in the freezer for ages, they were just so bland! I finally found your recipe to make them a lot tastier! We used some chilli puree for extra spice!