Sesame Garlic Green Beans (Printable Version)

Tender green beans tossed with garlic, toasted sesame, and topped with crispy fried onions.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
02 - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced

→ Aromatics & Condiments

03 - 1 tablespoon sesame oil
04 - 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
05 - 1 teaspoon rice vinegar

→ Garnishes

06 - 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
07 - 1 cup crispy fried onions

→ Optional

08 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
09 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and blanch for 2 to 3 minutes until vibrant green and crisp-tender. Drain and immediately plunge into ice water to stop cooking. Drain again and pat dry.
02 - Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to let it brown.
03 - Add the blanched green beans to the skillet. Stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes until they are heated through and just starting to blister.
04 - Drizzle in the soy sauce and rice vinegar. Toss to coat and cook for another minute.
05 - Remove from heat. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and, if using, red pepper flakes and black pepper.
06 - Transfer to a serving platter and top generously with crispy fried onions just before serving to retain their crunch.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The crispy onions stay unbelievably crunchy if you add them at the last second, making every bite feel like a small discovery.
  • You can have this ready while your main dish is still cooking, so it actually fits into a real dinner timeline.
  • Even people who claim they don't like vegetables ask for the recipe because the garlic-sesame combination doesn't taste healthy in the slightest.
02 -
  • Blanching the beans separately is the secret because it guarantees tenderness without the skillet water making them steam and lose their snap.
  • Adding the crispy onions last isn't a suggestion, it's the entire reason this dish works, so set a phone reminder if you're juggling multiple dishes.
03 -
  • Pat the blanched beans completely dry before they hit the skillet, because any remaining water will steam them instead of letting them develop those small caramelized spots.
  • Buy good sesame oil and taste it before using, because rancid sesame oil smells off immediately and will ruin the entire dish with a stale, slightly bitter note.
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