Description
This Chinese Buffet Green Beans recipe features fresh green beans stir-fried with garlic and coated in a flavorful blend of soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and a touch of sugar. Finished with a hint of crushed red pepper flakes and toasted sesame seeds, this dish offers a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and mild heat, making it an ideal side dish for any Asian-inspired meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Green Beans Preparation
- 1 pound fresh green beans
Sauce and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Green Beans: Wash the fresh green beans thoroughly and trim the ends by snapping or cutting them off to ensure even cooking.
- Boil Water: Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat to prepare for blanching the beans.
- Blanch Green Beans: Add the green beans to the boiling water and cook for 3-4 minutes until they turn bright green and are slightly tender but remain crisp.
- Shock in Cold Water: Drain the green beans in a colander and immediately rinse them under cold water to halt the cooking process, preserving their vibrant color and texture. Set aside.
- Heat Skillet or Wok: Place a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil, allowing it to heat until shimmering.
- Sauté Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the hot oil and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant, careful not to burn it to maintain its flavor integrity.
- Cook Green Beans: Add the blanched green beans to the skillet and stir gently to ensure they are fully coated with the garlic-infused oil.
- Add Sauces and Sugar: Pour in the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and sprinkle the sugar over the green beans.
- Combine Sauce Evenly: Stir thoroughly to ensure that all green beans are evenly coated with the flavorful sauce mixture.
- Add Heat: Sprinkle the crushed red pepper flakes over the beans to add a gentle heat element to the dish.
- Stir-Fry to Reduce Sauce: Continue stir-frying the green beans for another 4-5 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce and thicken slightly, enhancing the flavor adherence.
- Add Sesame Oil: Drizzle sesame oil over the beans and give a final stir to incorporate its nutty aroma throughout the dish.
- Remove from Heat: Once the beans are fully coated and heated through, remove the skillet from the stove to prevent overcooking.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the sesame seeds over the top just before serving to add a toasty crunch and visual appeal.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve the green beans immediately as a delicious side dish or as part of a larger Asian-inspired meal.
Notes
- Blanching the green beans before stir-frying ensures they remain crisp and retain their bright green color.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to control the heat level according to your preference.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free soy sauce and hoisin sauce alternatives.
- You can toast the sesame seeds lightly beforehand to amplify their nutty flavor if desired.
- Serve immediately for the best texture; reheating may soften the beans.
