Description
This Chinese Green Beans With Garlic Sauce recipe features tender green beans fried until wrinkled and coated in a flavorful garlic and soy sauce mixture. The dish can be made using traditional frying, broiling, or air frying methods, making it versatile and quick to prepare. Perfect as a side dish, it brings a deliciously savory and slightly crunchy texture that’s sure to satisfy any craving for a tasty vegetable dish.
Ingredients
For the Sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/4 cup chicken broth, beef broth, or vegetable broth
- 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
For the Green Beans
- 1/2 pound green beans, ends trimmed
- 1/4 cup peanut oil, avocado oil, or safflower oil (for frying)
- Salt, to taste
- 1 tablespoon peanut oil (for broiling or air frying)
Instructions
- Make the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, chicken broth, cornstarch, sesame oil, and finely chopped garlic. Set this mixture aside while preparing the green beans.
- Prepare the green beans: Trim and wash the green beans thoroughly. Dry them well using a paper towel to remove any moisture, which will help in frying or broiling evenly.
- Fry the green beans (Traditional Method): Heat 1/4 cup of oil in a wok or a deep skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches about 350°F. Add the green beans slowly and fry for 3 to 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until they become wrinkled. Turn off the heat and transfer the beans to paper towels to drain excess oil. Dispose of the used oil from the pan.
- Make the stir fry: Place the same wok or skillet back on medium heat and add the prepared sauce. When the sauce begins to bubble, add the cooked green beans and quickly toss them to evenly coat the beans with the sauce.
- Season and serve: Turn off the heat, season with salt to taste, and serve the green beans immediately for best flavor and texture.
- Broiling Method (Alternative): Preheat your oven’s broiler and line a large tray with aluminum foil. Toss the green beans with 1 tablespoon of peanut oil and spread them evenly on the foil without piling. Season with salt. Broil for 3 to 6 minutes until the beans are lightly charred. Remove beans to a paper towel to absorb excess oil, then proceed with the stir fry steps above using the sauce and wok.
- Air Fryer Method (Alternative): Preheat the air fryer to 380°F for 3 to 5 minutes. Toss green beans with 1 tablespoon of peanut oil and place them in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 15 minutes, shaking the basket a couple of times for even cooking. The beans should be tender, slightly charred, and wrinkled. If still crunchy, air fry for an additional 5 minutes. Remove beans and proceed with the stir fry steps to coat with the garlic sauce.
Notes
- Be sure to dry green beans thoroughly before frying or air frying to avoid oil splatter and achieve a crispy texture.
- Use any neutral oil with a high smoke point such as peanut, avocado, or safflower oil for frying or broiling.
- Adjust salt seasoning at the end according to taste since soy sauce adds saltiness.
- The garlic sauce can be customized by adding fresh ginger or chili flakes for extra flavor and heat.
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and ensure the soy sauce is gluten-free if necessary.
- Make sure to shake the air fryer basket intermittently during cooking to prevent uneven charring or burning.
