Asian Style Green Beans

Elevate dinner with our Asian Style Green Beans! This straightforward side dish pairs with a variety of proteins, whether it’s our shrimp or salmon recipe, you can choose your favorite meat. The true magic of this recipe lies in its sauce, which is the balance between sweet and spicy. To ensure the green beans keep their crunch, we par-boil them for just a few minutes. They should be tender but still have a bite. Serve these with some rice to soak up all the sauce.

What stands out

This sauce is sweet, spicy, and addictive thanks to a mixture of coconut aminos (soy sauce or tamari work beautifully too), sweet Thai chili sauce, fresh garlic, and nutty sesame oil.

Additional Tips for Green Beans

Now, for the optional yet highly recommended finishing touch: a drizzle of hot honey, which adds a sweet, fiery kick. And don’t forget a sprinkle of sesame seeds. These Asian-inspired green beans are sure to become a mealtime favorite.

Kitchen tip

To ensure this flavor-packed sauce clings to the green beans, we add corn starch as our thickener. It helps forms a thicker glaze. If you find the sauce too thick for your liking, you can always add a touch of water to reach your desired consistency!

Swaps

For this Asian Style Green Beans, there are many ways to customize and adapt the recipe to your taste preferences or dietary needs.

• Use tamari or soy sauce instead of coconut aminos (if you’re making this gluten-free, go with tamari).
• Leave out the hot honey for a less spicy version.
• Use sugar snap peas instead of green beans.
• Add toasted sesame seed s for a stronger sesame flavor.

Serve it with

• For a simple meal, team these green beans up with a protein like our chicken recipe and a bowl of steamed jasmine rice.
• Try them with our Teriyaki Salmon Skewers.
• The green beans would make a fantastic addition to our Crispy Salmon & Rice Bowl with Spicy Mayo.
• Serve these green beans as a side with The Best Grilled Salmon Skewers.
• These would be in our Healthy Shrimp Bowl adding a burst of flavor and crunch.
• Pair these with our Single Serve Sushi Bake for a balanced meal.
• You could also pair this with veggie or chicken fried-rice.

Questions

Where can we find Coconut Aminos?

We get ours at Healthy Planet or you can find it linked in our Amazon store as well.

Can we use other types of string beans?

Yes, you can use any type of string bean that you like or sugar snap peas.

What can we use as a substitute for sweet Thai chili sauce if we want to make it less spicy?

If you prefer a milder sauce, you can use a sweet chili sauce with less heat or even a combination of honey and mild chili sauce to achieve the desired level of spiciness.

Is there a gluten-free alternative to cornstarch?

Yes, you can use arrowroot powder or potato starch as a gluten-free substitute for cornstarch to thicken the sauce.

Can we use frozen green beans instead of fresh ones?

While fresh green beans are recommended for the best texture, you can use frozen green beans in a pinch. Just be sure to thaw and drain them before cooking to avoid excess moisture.

What are some optional toppings or garnishes to enhance the dish?

You can garnish the dish with sesame seeds, sliced green onions, or even crushed peanuts for added texture and flavor.

Ingredients

Makes 2 servings

• 2 tablespoons coconut aminos, tamari or soy sauce is the alternative
• 2 tablespoons sweet Thai chili sauce
• ¼ teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon corn starch
• 1 tablespoon water, add more if needed
• 340 grams green beans, trimmed (12oz bag)
• 1 cup water

Equipment

• Ceramic Pans
• Hot Honey
• Coconut Aminos
• Sweet Thai Chili Sauce

Method

1. In a bowl or mason jar, add all of the ingredients for the sauce. Shake or stir well.
2. In a pan on the stove, add enough water to cover the bottom of the pan. Add in the trimmed and washed green beans. Put the lid on and let them cook for 3-5 minutes on medium-low heat.
3. You'll know when the beans are cooked when a knife goes through easily. We like ours cooked but firm. The beans should still have a bite to them and not be mushy.
4. If there's any water left in the pan, drain it and add the beans back on the heat. Add in the sauce and stir. If you need to thin out the sauce a bit you can add a touch more water.
5. Serve with sesame seeds and hot honey on top. Enjoy!