I used to be picky about food when I was a child, but one of the few vegetables I loved was green beans. I adored their crisp texture, especially when my mom prepared them simply by stir-frying.
As I began cooking myself, I followed my mom’s footsteps in stir-frying green beans, but somehow, they never tasted quite the same as they did in my childhood. Perhaps it was due to the variety of green beans available. The green beans I enjoyed as a child were homegrown, with a sweetness and tenderness that store-bought ones lacked. Yet, they still possessed that delightful crunchiness that I adore in vegetables.
In an effort to make the store-bought green beans more flavorful, I tweaked the recipe by adding dried small shrimp. Since store-bought green beans tend to be less flavorful and more bland, I used dried small shrimp to infuse them with a delicious umami and aroma, as if injecting soul into the dish.
Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal or a vibrant side dish to accompany your favorite Asian-inspired dishes, this stir-fried green beans recipe is sure to please your taste buds.
Let’s try making it now!
Ingredients for Stir Fry Green Beans:
- Green beans, 300g, cut into segments
- Green chili, sliced diagonally
- Red chili, sliced diagonally
- Garlic, minced
- Dried small shrimp, 1/2 tbsp
Here are some additional notes:
- It’s best to use slightly spicy chili instead of bell peppers for a richer flavor profile.
- I prefer cutting the green beans into longer segments, but feel free to adjust to your preference.
- Use fresh and original-flavored dried small shrimp.
How to Choose Green Beans
The key to this dish is selecting tender green beans.
Select green beans that are firm, crisp, and vibrant green in color. Avoid limp, discolored, or blemished green beans.
Gently squeeze the green beans to ensure they are firm and snap easily. Avoid green beans that feel soft or rubbery.
Seasonings
- Oil
- Salt
- Oyster Sauce
How to Stir Fry Green Beans
I used a non-stick frying pan to stir-fry the green beans. Avoid using a shallow frying pan as it makes stir-frying difficult.
Step 1. Wipe the frying pan dry, add oil, and heat it. Once hot, add minced garlic and stir-fry until fragrant. Then add the green beans.
Step 2. Stir-fry continuously. When the green beans change color to a brighter green, and if they’re close to burning, add water. If not, continue stir-frying for a while before adding water to simmer. The amount of water should cover about two-thirds of the ingredients. If your pan is large, add less water initially, and adjust later if needed. While simmering, season with salt.
Step 3. After 5 minutes, when the green beans are 90% cooked (you can have a try if you are not sure), add the chili and stir-fry for 1 minute.
Step 4. When the chili is almost cooked, add some dried shrimp and oyster sauce.
Then continue stirring until well combined. It’s time for serving.
