stir-fry green beans

How to Make Stir-Fried Green Beans: A Complete Guide

Stir-fried green beans are a quick, healthy, and versatile dish loved worldwide. Here’s a simple yet delicious recipe to perfect this classic.

Ingredients: 500g fresh green beans, trimmed and blanched for 2 minutes; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tsp oyster sauce; ½ tsp sugar; 1 tbsp cooking oil; a pinch of salt. Optional: dried chili for heat, sesame seeds for garnish.

Steps:

1. Prep: Blanch green beans in boiling salted water until bright green (about 2 mins), then plunge into ice water to stop cooking. Drain and set aside.

2. Sauté: Heat oil in a wok over medium-high. Add garlic (and chili if using) and stir-fry until fragrant (30 seconds).

3. Stir-fry: Add blanched beans, tossing for 1–2 mins to heat through.

4. Season: Drizzle in soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Mix well, ensuring beans are evenly coated. Cook for another minute until flavors meld.

5. Serve: Adjust salt if needed. Garnish with sesame seeds and serve hot with rice or noodles.

Tips: For a crunchier texture, skip blanching and stir-fry raw beans over high heat until slightly charred. Add a splash of water if the pan gets too dry. This dish balances savory, sweet, and fresh flavors, making it a perfect side for any meal!