Chinese Style Sauteed Green Beans with Garlic Recipe

We've been getting bunches of fresh green beans in our weekly CSA box and this recipe for Chinese Style Sauteed Green Beans with Garlic is one I return to often. I've never been the biggest fan of green beans. Having them prepared in the way that mimics some of my favorite Chinese restaurants like Din Tai Fung is a game change. This is the perfect side dish for fast and easy weeknight dinners.

Scroll down to see how we make these and pin the recipe card so you, too, can create a flavorful side dish that is close to what you find at your favorite Chinese restaurant!

What Makes This Chinese Style Sauteed Green Beans with Garlic Recipe Stellar

This delicious Chinese green beans recipe is ready quickly and yields tender green beans tossed in an umami packed sauce that helps home cooks bring home that restaurant flavor of this classic side dish. You'll appreciate the way blanching sets the stage for a fast stir-fry style for our cooked green beans. 

Ingredients for This Sauteed Green Beans Recipe

To make these easy Chinese Garlic Green Bean Recipe packed with great flavor we need:

• 1 pound green beans ends trimmed: You can use French Green Beans or Haricots Verts. Both work beautifully in this dish. 
• 3 tablespoons canola oil or other neutral oil: We don't want to overpower the flavor of the sauce with the cooking oil. I recommend using either avocado oil, vegetable oil, or canola. 
• 4 tablespoons minced fresh garlic: This will come from about 6 to 8 cloves. Yes, lots of garlic!  
• ¼ cup vegetable broth: To help craft the sauce. You can also use chicken broth or even beef broth.
• 1 tablespoon shoyu soy sauce: You can use regular soy sauce or a reduced-sodium soy sauce. This helps in controlling the amount of sodium in this dish. You can also opt to add in a bit of chili flake to make a spicy sauce or chili garlic sauce if you want. 
• Kosher salt and ground black pepper
• Optional Garnish: ​Red Pepper Flakes

How to Make These Chinese Style Sauteed Green Beans with Garlic

Making the best green beans in this easy recipe from simple ingredients requires two easy steps. First, we blanch. Then, we sauté on high heat. Here's how we do it: 

​Step 1: Blanch Beans

• Bring a large saucepan filled with water to a boil. Prepare the green beans by trimming ends and setting aside in a medium bowl. Mince garlic cloves and set to the side. In a small bowl, stir together the soy sauce and vegetable broth. Set aside.
• Once water is boiling, add the green beans and cook for two minutes. Prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with water and ice cubes.
• Using tongs or a slotted spoon, remove green beans after 2 minutes and immediately submerge them in the cold water. This will help to stop the cook time and keep the beans bright green. Remove beans from the ice bath and lay them flat in an even layer on a clean kitchen towel to dry. You can also place them on a paper towel.

Step 2: Sauté Beans

• Heat a large 12-inch stainless steel skillet or high-sided sauté pan on medium high heat for 3 to 5 minutes. Add a couple drops of water to perform the Mercury ball test. If the water pools together to form a large droplet and swirls around the pan, it's ready. Add the 3 tablespoons of oil and swirl the oil in the pan to coat.
• Add green beans to cook for about 5 minutes, using tongs to stir them regularly. The ends and edges will begin to crisp and blister slightly. Remove green beans to a plate. Add a little oil to the pan if needed.
• Add the garlic to the hot pan. Stir continuously for a minute until fragrant. Add in the broth and soy sauce mixture and stir to combine. Bring sauce to simmer to reduce slightly by ⅓. Sprinkle in kosher salt and ground black pepper. Taste sauce to check for seasoning.
• Return green beans back to the pan and use tongs to gently toss the beans with the sauce. Plate and enjoy.

Final Tips

Once your green beans are ready, serve them alongside your favorite grilled protein and brown rice. I like to think these sauteed Chinese green beans make for a delicious alternative to french fries. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

If you made and enjoyed this Chinese Garlic Green Beans recipe, please let me know in the comments. Cheers to the next nourishing meal!