Green beans make for a healthy and easy side dish recipe when stir fried with fresh ginger and onions.
Soy sauce adds depth of flavor.
Great for busy weeknights!
Elise Bauer
Do you like green beans?
I love them in stir fries, especially fresh, crisp, tender green beans.
An Easy Way to Cook Fresh Green Beans
How do you know your green beans are fresh?
Elise Bauer
Break one in half.
It should “snap”.
If it bends limply like a rubber band, it’s not fresh.
Elise Bauer
It couldn’t be easier!
Just confirm you are using fresh and tender beans.
Add the vegetable oil and let it heat up until shimmery.
Elise Bauer
(Toss a sliver of onion into the oil when you think it’s hot.
If the oil is hot enough, it will sizzle.)
Add the green beans, onions, and ginger and toss to combine.
Elise Bauer
Break up any clumps of sliced onion that might have stuck together.
Spread everything out in the pan and let it sear untouched for anywhere from 30 to 90 seconds.
You want to get a little browning on the vegetables.
Elise Bauer
Stir the vegetables and let sit for another 30 to 90 seconds.
Add the sliced garlic, stir again and cook for another minute.
Mix the soy sauce and sugar together and pour into the pan.
Elise Bauer
Turn off the heat and immediately toss the vegetables to combine.
The sauce will start to caramelize and may burn unless you keep everything moving for a few seconds.
Pour the sesame oil over the green beans and onions and sprinkle with black pepper.
Toss to combine one more time.
The beans should still be somewhat crisp.
They will cook a little more in the residual heat of the pan or serving dish.
Serve immediately or let rest and serve at room temperature.
