This crack green beans recipe is a delicious and moreish side dish that is perfect with almost any meal. This dish features tender, slightly crunchy green beans stir-fried in sweetened soy sauce.
The result is a flavorful and savory dish with just the right amount of sweetness that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
Plus, they’re quick and easy to make, so you can have this tasty side dish on the table in no time.
Easy Dinners To Try With This Recipe
Simple Ground Beef Casserole
Barbacoa Beef
Easy Beef Shanks
Easy Mississippi Pot Roast
Table of Contents
Stir Fried Green Beans
The green beans are blanched for a few minutes to retain their bright green color and to ensure that they stay crunchy.
Garlic and soy sauce add a savory and umami flavor, while sugar adds a slight sweetness that balances out the dish perfectly.
Ingredient Notes for The Perfect Crack green beans
Green beans: Use fresh green beans for the best flavor and texture. Frozen green beans are okay in a pinch, but be sure to thaw and pat them dry before cooking. Don’t be tempted to thaw them in the microwave, because you’ll end up with the saddest-looking and unappetizing green beans ever.
Garlic: I recommend fresh minced garlic in this dish for its robust flavor. Feel free to use as much or as little as you want.
Soy sauce: Choose a good-quality soy sauce for the best flavor. You can use regular soy sauce or low-sodium soy sauce if you’re watching your sodium intake. For a gluten-free version, use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative.
Sugar: The sugar balances out the salty soy sauce. Adjust the amount of sugar to what you’re comfortable with, but don’t omit it entirely, as it plays a key role in the flavor profile.
Vegetable oil: Use a neutral vegetable oil like canola, vegetable, or grapeseed oil for stir-frying. If you want an extra layer of flavor, you can use toasted sesame oil in combination with a neutral oil.
Salt: The soy sauce in this recipe will give a salty element to this dish, but it’s best to taste and adjust the salt before serving.
Garnishes (optional): A generous sprinkle of toasted or raw sesame seeds will give extra crunch to this side dish.
How to make crack green beans
Step 1: Prepare The Green Beans
Trim the ends off the green beans and blanch them in salted boiling water for 2-3 minutes until crisp-tender.
Drain the green beans and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process.
Step 2: Prepare The Sauce
Next, in a small bowl, mince the garlic and combine it with the soy sauce and sugar.
Whisk the ingredients together until the sugar is dissolved.
Step 3: Stir Fry The Green Beans
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, and add the green beans to the skillet.
Stir-fry them for 1-2 minutes until they are heated through and beginning to brown.
Add the garlic-soy sauce mixture to the skillet and stir to combine.
Cook the green beans for an additional 1-2 minutes until the sauce has thickened and the green beans are coated in the sauce.
Season with salt (if necessary), and serve.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Trimming the ends: Trim the stem ends of the green beans before blanching to help remove any tough or stringy bits.
Blanching technique (don’t overcook): When blanching the green beans, have a bowl of cold/ice water ready to quickly cool them down and stop the cooking process for crisp, vibrant-colored green beans.
Garlic prep: Mince or finely chop the garlic cloves for the best distribution of flavor throughout the dish.
Balancing flavors: Adjust the amount of sugar and soy sauce a little at a time, to find the perfect balance of sweetness and saltiness to suit your taste. You’ll know it when you find it.
Preheat the skillet: Make sure your skillet or wok is hot before adding the green beans, to ensure quick and even cooking.
Stir-fry quickly: Use a non-stick pan, skillet, or wok, and stir-fry the green beans for a short time, just until they’re heated through and starting to brown. Stir well to coat them evenly.
Customize spiciness: If you like a bit of heat, consider adding red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the soy sauce mixture for a spicy kick.
Double the recipe: If you’re cooking for a larger group, simply double the recipe, but be mindful of crowding the pan when stir-frying to ensure even cooking.
How to store crack green beans
To store, cool the cooked green beans to room temperature, place them in an airtight container or sealed bag, and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
For longer storage, freeze in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months.
I highly recommend flash-frying these green beans to reheat them, if you have 5 minutes to spare.
Crack green beans are an easy-to-make, flavorful side dish that you can throw together in a hurry, and serve up anytime you want. Try this recipe today and let me know how it turns out for you!
Crack Green Beans Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans trimmed
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Salt optional
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and blanch for 2-3 minutes, or until crisp-tender. Drain and rinse the green beans under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, soy sauce, and sugar.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the green beans and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through and starting to brown.
- Add the garlic-soy sauce mixture to the skillet and stir to combine. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and the green beans are coated in the sauce.
- Taste the green beans and add salt if needed.
- Serve hot as a side dish or with rice as a main course.
