
Garlic Green Bean Stir Fry
A quick, vibrant weeknight stir fry that transforms fresh green beans into a savory, garlicky side or light main. High heat gives the beans a satisfying tender-crisp texture while a simple soy-sesame sauce adds bold umami depth. On the table in under 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.
4 servings · Prep 10 min · Cook 12 min · Total 22 min
Chinese · Dinner · Side Dish
Ingredients
Open in recipe scaler →Main
1 lb fresh green beans trimmed, ends snapped off
5 cloves garlic minced
2 tbsp neutral oil such as avocado or vegetable oil
Finishing
1 tsp sesame oil toasted, for finishing
1 tsp sesame seeds toasted
0.25 tsp red pepper flakes
Sauce
2 tbsp soy sauce low-sodium preferred
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tsp rice vinegar
1 tsp sugar
0.5 tsp cornstarch
Equipment
Stovetop
Mixing Bowl
Skillet
Pot
Wok
Paper Towel
Serving Plate
Whisk
Spatula
Knife
Tongs
Cutting Board
Instructions
- Whisk together the @[Soy Sauce], @[Oyster Sauce], @[Rice Vinegar], @[Sugar], and @[Cornstarch] in a small bowl until the @[Cornstarch] is fully dissolved. Set the sauce aside. Trim the @[Green Beans] and mince the @[Garlic].
- Bring a large #[Pot] of salted water to a boil. Add the @[Green Beans] and blanch for ~[2 minutes] until bright green and just barely tender. Drain immediately and spread on a paper towel-lined plate to dry completely — excess moisture will cause splattering in the wok.
- Heat a #[Wok] or large #[Skillet] over ^[high heat] until smoking. Add the @[Neutral Oil] and swirl to coat. Add the dried @[Green Beans] in a single layer and let them sear undisturbed for ~[1–2 minutes] until lightly blistered. Toss and cook another ~[1 minute].
- Push the @[Green Beans] to the edges of the #[Wok] and add the minced @[Garlic] to the center. Stir the @[Garlic] in the @[Neutral Oil] for about ~[30 seconds] until fragrant and just golden — do not let it burn. Toss everything together.
- Pour the sauce over the @[Green Beans] and toss quickly to coat. Cook for ~[1–2 minutes], stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and clings to the @[Green Beans]. Remove from heat and drizzle with @[Sesame Oil]. Toss once more.
- Transfer to a serving plate. Garnish with toasted @[Sesame Seeds] and @[Red Pepper Flakes] if desired. Serve immediately over steamed rice or as a standalone side.






