Asian String Bean Recipes: Easy and Delicious Ideas

String beans, also known as green beans or snap beans, are a versatile and nutrient-rich vegetable that can add vibrant flavor and texture to your meals. They are popular in many Asian cuisines, where they are often stir-fried, blanched, or incorporated into soups and stews. Here are some delicious and easy-to-make Asian string bean recipes that you can try at home to liven up your dinner table.

Stir-Fried String Beans with Garlic and Oyster Sauce

Stir-frying is perhaps the simplest and most traditional way to enjoy string beans in Asian cooking. This dish is quick to prepare and packs a lot of flavors.

• Ingredients:
  • 200g fresh string beans, washed and trimmed
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional)
• Instructions:
  1. Heat the oil in a wok or large frying pan over high heat.
  2. Add the minced garlic and stir-fry until aromatic, being careful not to burn it.
  3. Add the string beans and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they are bright green and slightly tender but still crisp.
  4. Stir in the oyster sauce, soy sauce, and sugar. Toss to combine.
  5. Cook for another minute, then drizzle with sesame oil, give it one final toss, and turn off the heat.

⚠️ Note: Overcooking the beans will make them lose their vibrant color and crisp texture, which is not desirable in this dish.

Szechuan Dry-Fried String Beans

This is a classic Sichuan dish where the beans are stir-fried without moisture until their skin starts to blister, then seasoned with spicy and aromatic ingredients.

• Ingredients:
  • 300g string beans, trimmed
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Szechuan peppercorns, ground (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon chili flakes or fresh chili, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fermented black beans
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• Instructions:
  1. Heat the oil in a wok until smoking hot.
  2. Add the string beans and stir-fry on high heat, allowing the beans to blister and char slightly. This could take about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Once the beans are dry-fried, reduce heat to medium, push beans to the side, and add garlic, peppercorns, chili, and fermented black beans. Stir-fry briefly until fragrant.
  4. Mix everything together, then add soy sauce, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Toss to coat the beans evenly.
  5. Drizzle with sesame oil and serve hot.

🔥 Note: The dry-frying technique used here imparts a distinctive charred flavor to the beans, making them uniquely delicious.

Thai Green Bean Curry

Green bean curry is a delicious way to enjoy this vegetable with the spicy flavors of Thai cuisine.

• Ingredients:
  • 400g string beans, cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons green curry paste
  • 1 can (400ml) coconut milk
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon palm sugar or brown sugar
  • 2 kaffir lime leaves, shredded
  • 1 red chili, sliced (optional for garnish)
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish
  • Vegetable oil for cooking
• Instructions:
  1. In a pan, heat some oil and sauté the green curry paste until it releases its fragrance.
  2. Add half of the coconut milk and bring to a simmer. Stir until the oil separates from the curry.
  3. Add the string beans, remaining coconut milk, fish sauce, sugar, and kaffir lime leaves. Simmer until beans are tender, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Check seasoning and adjust if necessary. Garnish with chili slices and basil leaves.

🌶️ Note: Adjust the amount of curry paste and chili according to your heat preference.

Vietnamese Braised String Beans

This dish brings out the umami flavor with a combination of fermented ingredients and a long braise.

• Ingredients:
  • 400g string beans
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon shrimp paste
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup water or broth
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • Salt to taste
• Instructions:
  1. Heat oil in a pot and sauté garlic until golden. Add onions and cook until translucent.
  2. Stir in shrimp paste, fish sauce, and sugar, cooking until the mixture is aromatic.
  3. Add the string beans, mix well to coat with the seasonings.
  4. Pour in the water or broth, cover, and simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes or until the beans are tender and the sauce has thickened.
  5. Season with salt if needed.

In wrapping up, Asian cuisine offers numerous ways to transform simple string beans into delectable dishes. From the fiery Szechuan dry-fried beans to the soothing flavors of Vietnamese braised beans, there’s a recipe for every palate. Incorporating these recipes into your meal rotation can not only enhance your culinary repertoire but also introduce you to the rich tapestry of flavors that define Asian cooking. Whether you prefer your beans stir-fried with intense flavors or gently braised for depth, these dishes are easy to make and incredibly rewarding.

What can I do if I want my string beans to be less spicy?

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Reduce or omit the chili flakes or fresh chili. If you’re using a store-bought curry paste, you might also consider using a milder version or reducing the amount used in the recipe.

Can I use frozen green beans for these recipes?

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Yes, you can use frozen green beans, but they tend to release more moisture, which might affect the texture and cooking time. For stir-fried dishes, partially thaw them first and pat them dry to reduce excess moisture.

Are there any vegetarian or vegan substitutions for the non-vegetarian ingredients?

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For fish sauce, use soy sauce or a vegan fish sauce alternative. Shrimp paste can be replaced with miso paste for a similar umami flavor. Oyster sauce can be swapped with mushroom-based alternatives which are often vegan-friendly.