Asian Inspired Garlic Green Beans

Want something a little different for your holiday table? These garlic green beans add a pop of color and bold flavor to your holiday spread. Tossed in a garlicky, slightly sweet, and subtly spicy glaze, they add a fresh touch to rich roasts and creamy casseroles. Quick to make but impressive to serve, the perfect quick side dish with bold flavor and no fuss.

This dish can easily add a pop to any weekday meal. Don’t just save it for holidays.

Cuisine: Asian

Courses: Side Dishes

Description

Want something a little different for your holiday table? These garlic green beans add a pop of color and bold flavor to your holiday spread. Tossed in a garlicky, slightly sweet, and subtly spicy glaze, they add a fresh touch to rich roasts and creamy casseroles. Quick to make but impressive to serve, the perfect quick side dish with bold flavor and no fuss.

This dish can easily add a pop to any weekday meal. Don’t just save it for holidays.

Ingredients

1-pound of green beans, ends trimmed
1 tbsp sesame oil
5 cloves of garlic, freshly minced.
1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp mirin (cooking wine)
1 tsp cornstarch
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 ¼ tsp hot pepper sauce (I use Aunt May’s)
1 tsp brown sugar
1 tbsp chicken-flavored Better than Bouillon
¼ cup water

Instructions

1
Steam green beans for 3 to 4 minutes.
2
While beans steam, heat sesame oil over medium heat in a medium skillet or wok. Drain the steamed beans and add them to the skillet once the sesame oil is heated. Cover and sauté for 2 - 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3
Add garlic and sauté (uncovered) for about 30 to 60 seconds, stirring often to prevent scorching.
4
In a small bowl, combine soy sauce and mirin. Add cornstarch and whisk thoroughly until smooth. Add oyster sauce, hot pepper sauce, brown sugar, Better than Bouillon, and water.
5
Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2 to 3 more minutes, or until the beans reach the preferred tenderness.

Note

Quick Tips

Prep ahead: Trim beans and mix sauce earlier in the day.
Don’t overcook: If you plan to serve later and reheat, stop cooking before the beans are soft.
Shortcut: Frozen beans work too; thaw and drain thoroughly before starting at Step 1.
Upgrade suggestion: Before serving, add toasted sesame seeds or sliced, toasted almonds on top. They bring crunch and extra flavor.
Upgrade suggestion: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice on top. It brightens the dish and balances the rich sauces.

Grocery List (By Department)

Produce

1 pound of green beans
5 cloves of garlic

Pantry

1 tsp cornstarch

1 tbsp sesame oil

1 tbsp soy sauce (low-sodium)

1 tbsp oyster sauce

1 ¼ tsp hot pepper sauce

1 tsp brown sugar

1 tbsp chicken-flavored Better than Bouillon

¼ cup water

1 tbsp mirin (cooking wine)

Note

These Asian-inspired garlic green beans are quick and tasty. They add variety when holiday dishes feel dull. Perfect for refreshing your table! Or use them any weeknight, when you need a side dish that feels special without the extra work. Try them once, and they might just become your go-to veggie side!