Chinese Green Beans - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

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Last updated: · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

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Wonderfully tender-crisp and well-seasoned, these flavorful Chinese green beans are one of my favorite side dishes.

Ready in about 25 minutes, they're so easy to make. And the leftovers are delicious!

Chinese Green Beans - Healthy Recipes Blog (1)

The secret to delicious Chinese green beans is sautéing them until tender-crisp and not a second longer. The tasty sauce - garlic, soy sauce, and honey - is wonderfully flavorful.

Green beans are delicious! Simple boiled green beans, liberally salted, are lovely. I also love spicy green beans and green beans almondine. When tender-crisp, rather than limp and lifeless, they are like a salty, spicy snack.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Variations
  • Chinese Green Beans Instructions
  • Expert Tip
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storing Leftovers
  • More Green Bean Recipes
  • Foodie Newsletter
  • Recipe Card
  • Let's Connect

Ingredients

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You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this tasty side dish. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

  • Avocado oil: This neutral-tasting oil is ideal for cooking.
  • Fresh green beans: I tried making this recipe with frozen beans, and it wasn't as good. Fresh beans are much better. They come out tender-crisp, while frozen beans are a little too mushy.
  • Soy sauce: I use reduced-sodium soy sauce in most of my recipes. I find that traditional soy sauce is too salty. You can also use a gluten-free alternative.
  • Rice vinegar: You can substitute white wine vinegar. But don't use distilled white vinegar - it's too acidic.
  • Honey: Just a little to balance out the other flavors in this recipe. It doesn't make the dish taste sweet.
  • Cornstarch: Just a little to help thicken the sauce.
  • Minced garlic: Mince it yourself, or use the stuff that comes in a jar. I tested both, and freshly minced does taste best, though.
  • Red pepper flakes: I use ½ teaspoon, which makes the dish quite spicy. If you don't like spicy food, you can use half that amount.
  • Sesame oil: To finish the dish after it's cooked. It adds great flavor!

Variations

  • You can use half a teaspoon of garlic powder in the sauce instead of fresh garlic. As mentioned above, I tried both options, and freshly minced garlic is much better. But in a pinch, garlic powder is an acceptable substitute.
  • You can add a teaspoon of minced fresh ginger to the sauce. It adds excellent flavor.
  • Try toasting a tablespoon of sesame seeds and sprinkling them on the finished dish. It looks good and also enhances the beans' flavor.
  • Instead of red pepper flakes, I sometimes mix a teaspoon of hot pepper sauce into the sauce. The only caveat is that pepper sauce tends to create more fumes when cooked, so if you're sensitive to that, you might want to stick with pepper flakes (and possibly use less of them).

Chinese Green Beans Instructions

Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps for making this recipe:

Your first step is to mix the sauce ingredients - soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, cornstarch, garlic, and red pepper flakes.

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Sauté the beans in avocado oil until they are tender-crisp and just begin to brown in spots.

Chinese Green Beans - Healthy Recipes Blog (4)

Reduce the heat to low, add the sauce, and cook briefly, just until the green beans are coated and the sauce has thickened.

Chinese Green Beans - Healthy Recipes Blog (5)

Drizzle the beans with sesame oil and serve.

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Expert Tip

Cooked green beans should be bright green and tender-crisp. You don't want them brown and limp. So even though we want them to be browned in some spots, we don't want to overcook them.

Eight minutes over medium heat works for me (plus a minute after adding the sauce). But keep a close eye on them as you cook. Depending on how hot your stovetop runs, they might be ready faster.

Recipe FAQs

Should Iparboil the green beans?

Some recipes instruct you to parboil the beans before sautéing them. Frankly, I lack the patience for that, and I also find it unnecessary.

One-step cooking is always better than two-step cooking, and washing one pot is preferable to washing two! So no, I don't parboil the beans, and they turn out beautiful - bright green, crisp, and delicious.

Can I make this recipe with frozen green beans?

I tried that and don't recommend it. You want the beans to be tender-crisp, impossible to achieve with frozen beans.

How do you make green beans taste better?

1. Use young, very fresh beans. Those will taste great even when simply boiled. Never use canned green beans! They tend to have an unpleasant metallic taste, and they also tend to be brownish and limp.

2. Saute the green beans with lots of butter and garlic. Everything tastes good when cooked with butter and garlic.

3. Cook the beans in a bold, spicy sauce such as the one we use here or the one I use in these spicy green beans.

4. Smother them in cheese! Much like butter, cheese elevates vegetables. Try this cheesy green bean casserole, for example. It's wonderful.

Serving Suggestions

You don't have to serve Chinese green beans with an Asian-style meal. They are quite versatile and go well with any meat or fish.

I often serve them with grilled chicken breast, baked pork chops, broiled shrimp, or seared tuna. They are also very nice alongside fried or poached eggs for a tasty and filling meatless meal.

Still, they obviously pair well with Chinese-style dishes. So, I often serve them withAsian meatballs or Asian salmon.

Storing Leftovers

You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. Reheat them in the microwave at 50% power. Sometimes, I snack on them cold- they are surprisingly good that way!

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More Green Bean Recipes

  • Sauteed Green Beans
  • Keto Green Bean Casserole
  • Spicy Green Beans
  • Roasted Green Beans

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Recipe Card

Chinese Green Beans - Healthy Recipes Blog (12)

4.99 from 164 votes

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Chinese Green Beans

Wonderfully tender-crisp and well seasoned, these Chinese green beans are ready fast and go well with many different meals.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Total Time25 minutes mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Chinese

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 115kcal

Author: Vered DeLeeuw

Ingredients

Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce or a gluten-free alternative
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon fresh garlic minced
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Beans:

  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 12 ounces green beans trimmed, long ones halved

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and cornstarch. Mix in the garlic and red pepper flakes. Set aside.

    Chinese Green Beans - Healthy Recipes Blog (13)

  • In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat for about 3 minutes. Add the green beans and sauté them, stirring often, until they are tender-crisp and just begin to brown in spots, about 8 minutes.

    Chinese Green Beans - Healthy Recipes Blog (14)

  • Reduce the heat to low. Give the sauce another whisk, then add it to the skillet. Cook, stirring, until the beans are coated in the sauce and the sauce has thickened, for about 1 minute.

    Chinese Green Beans - Healthy Recipes Blog (15)

  • Transfer the green beans to a serving plate, drizzle them with sesame oil, and serve.

    Chinese Green Beans - Healthy Recipes Blog (16)

Video

Notes

  • Cooked green beans should be bright green and tender-crisp. You don't want them brown and limp. So even though we want them to be browned in some spots, we don't want to overcook them.
  • Eight minutes over medium heat works for me (plus a minute after adding the sauce). But keep a close eye on them as you cook. Depending on how hot your stovetop runs, they might be ready faster.
  • You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. Reheat them in the microwave at 50% power.

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Nutrition per Serving

Serving: 0.25recipe | Calories: 115kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 293mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g

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Cup measurements refer to the standard American cup, which is 240 milliliters. Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read these Terms of Use carefully before using any of my recipes.

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About the Author

Chinese Green Beans - Healthy Recipes Blog (27) Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Review this Recipe or Ask a Question:

  1. Tomiko Graves

    Can you use frozen green beans in this recipe? If so, does the cooking adjust in any way?

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Hi Tomiko, I don't recommend using frozen green beans in this recipe.

      Reply

    • Tricia

      Chinese Green Beans - Healthy Recipes Blog (28)
      I used frozen green beans because that is what I had. I boiled them for two minutes, drained them well, and patted them dry. I then followed the recipe except shortened the cooking time to 4 minutes. This recipe was DELICIOUS!!!

      Reply

      • Vered DeLeeuw

        I'm glad to hear that frozen green beans work in this recipe! Thanks, Tricia.

  2. jenelle

    Chinese Green Beans - Healthy Recipes Blog (29)
    These came out so good! I used a full pound of green beans, and there was still plenty of sauce to coat them. I also used sriracha instead of chili flakes - about 1/4-1/2 teaspoon. This isn't overly salty or sweet or spicy. They tasted just like the Chinese green beans I've gotten at take-out restaurants. What I love is that I can make them gluten-free. So, so, so good!!!

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Jenelle! Thank you so much for leaving a comment.

      Reply

  3. Sarah Cheney

    Chinese Green Beans - Healthy Recipes Blog (30)
    Super simple and tasted just like what I was craving. Ended up making a double batch of the sauce and used half of it on some ground pork that I'd fried up and this made for a super yummy quick dinner!

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Sounds like a great meal, Sarah! Thanks for leaving a comment.

      Reply

  4. Melis

    Chinese Green Beans - Healthy Recipes Blog (31)
    Thank you so much for posting this! It's a very close copycat for my favorite high-end chinese lunch spot. Simple, fast, super delicious. I had everything on hand, which was a total bonus.

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      You're very welcome, Melis!

      Reply

  5. Boots

    Chinese Green Beans - Healthy Recipes Blog (32)
    AWESOME! The only change I made was to saute the beans in sesame oil. I could eat the whole wok-full at one time. Easy, healthy and oh, so tasty!!!

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment.

      Reply

Chinese Green Beans - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

FAQs

Do green beans detox your body? ›

Green beans with its strong diuretic properties can serve as a great detox and help rid your body from unwanted toxins. Green beans pack abundant amounts of calcium and heart protective flavonoids. Flavonoids are polyphenolic antioxidants that are commonly found in fruits and vegetables.

What are green beans high in? ›

Not only are they relatively inexpensive, green beans are rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene, an antioxidant that gives fruits and vegetables their color. The vegetable helps fight inflammation and is a good source of folate and potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure.

How long does it take to blanch green beans? ›

Blanch green beans until they are tender-crisp and the bright green color is set. This usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes as long as your pot of water is at a rapid boil when they go in. Is blanching necessary for green beans? Not all recipes require blanching.

Can dogs eat green beans? ›

Are Green Beans Safe for Dogs? Chopped, steamed, raw, or canned—all types of green beans are safe for dogs to eat, as long as they are plain. Green beans themselves are not only safe for dogs, but veterinarians also recommend them as a healthy treat. Best of all, dogs seem to love them.

What is the most detoxifying vegetable? ›

Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, radish and collard greens contain unique compounds that can help support your body's ability to detox. They also contain phytonutrients (plant-based compounds) which can work together to help promote good health.

Is it OK to eat green beans everyday? ›

Consuming fruits and vegetables of all kinds can help reduce the risk of many adverse health conditions. Many studies have suggested that including more plant foods, such as green beans, in the diet decreases the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and overall mortality.

What's healthier broccoli or green beans? ›

Green bean has more alpha-carotene than broccoli, however, broccoli contains more lutein + zeaxanthin than green bean. Both green bean and broccoli are high in Vitamin C, dietary fiber and potassium. Broccoli has more pantothenic acid.

Are green beans good for losing belly fat? ›

Beans are one of the healthiest foods you can consume, but they are specifically great for belly fat loss as they are rich in soluble fibre, which fights inflammation that cause belly fat accumulation. Some studies have linked the consumption of beans to a reduced risk of obesity.

Are green beans anti inflammatory? ›

Cooked (boiled) green beans have 4.0 g of fiber, some of it soluble fiber. Soluble fiber may help lower LDL or so-called bad cholesterol and total cholesterol levels. It may also support heart health by lowering blood pressure and reducing inflammation.

Is it better to blanch or steam green beans? ›

Nearly all of my fresh green bean recipes begin with blanching the beans. If you ask me, everyone should learn this method for how to cook green beans. It's quick and easy, and it yields beans that are vibrant, crisp-tender, and not at all mushy.

Why put green beans in ice water? ›

Ice bath method (a.k.a. blanch and shock): Drain the string beans into a colander in the sink and run cold water over them (to start to cool them down). Now transfer them to a large bowl of ice water. This will stop the cooking process and help preserve that bright green color they've achieved.

Do you add salt when blanching green beans? ›

Using a high concentration of salt in the blanching water (2 tablespoons per quart of water) allows the green beans to tenderize rapidly, so their bright green color is preserved. The large amount of salt in the blanching water penetrates the beans' sturdy skins to season them more fully than smaller amounts would.

Why can't dogs have green beans? ›

Raw green beans contain lecithin proteins which could upset your dog's stomach and lead to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The best way to solve this issue is to cook the beans. However, cooking does take away some of the important nutrients, so it's important not to overdo it.

Can a dog eat scrambled eggs? ›

Eggs are nutritious for both people and dogs. They can be tasty treats or a hearty breakfast, whether they're hard-boiled, poached, scrambled, or over easy. A cooked entire egg or yolk can be good for your dog, unless your pet has a pre-existing health condition like acute pancreatitis or diabetes.

What beans can dogs not eat? ›

Broad beans are known to cause vomiting and diarrhoea if eaten by dogs, while raw kidney beans are toxic because of the high levels of Lectin. Meanwhile baked beans and refried beans are unhealthy and contain ingredients which can make your pooch sick.

What beans are good for detoxing? ›

Red Kidney beans offer high amounts of the trace mineral molybdenum, an enzyme that helps to detoxify your body of sulfites. They're also an excellent source of soluble and insoluble fiber, helping to sweep your colon clean.

Do beans remove toxins? ›

There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that kidney beans can cleanse your body of toxins. While kidney beans are a nutritious food and a good source of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, they do not have any special ability to remove toxins from the body.

Do beans clean your stomach? ›

Research has shown a variety of beans, especially black beans, enhance gut health by improving intestinal barrier function and increasing the number of beneficial bacteria. This may help prevent gut-associated diseases.

What happens to your body when you eat beans every day? ›

Beans are rich in insoluble fiber, which your body can't digest. Insoluble fiber adds bulk to your stools, reducing problems like constipation. Eating insoluble fiber also helps fuel "good" bacteria in your digestive tract, keeping your digestive system running smoothly. Lower cancer risk.

References

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