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Garlic Ginger Green Beans

Garlic Ginger Green Beans

Hello there!

Today’s recipe is a quick and easy side dish that comes together in 15 minutes or less. It’s a tasty recipe for: Garlic Ginger Green Beans!

There’s only eight ingredients (including salt, pepper, and vegetable oil!). The main ingredient in this recipe is (of course) French green beans (aka haricot vert).

What’s the difference between French Green beans and “regular” green beans (most American varieties)?

French green beans are typically thinner, longer, sweeter, and more tender than regular green beans.

They also cook up faster since they are thinner too. You can also use regular green beans in this recipe, just make sure you boil them for a few additional minutes to get them to your desired texture.

How to choose green beans?

Seek out fresh looking, vibrant green (not yellow or brown) coloured beans with skin that is smooth and firm.

Avoid ones that are too thick or large in size as they can be tough and stringy. The pod should also make a snapping sound when bent in half.

How do you make this green bean recipe?

Blanched French green beans in an ice bath.

Blanched French green beans in an ice bath.

Minced garlic and ginger on a blue cutting board with a knife.

Minced garlic and ginger. I like lots of it.

The French green beans are cooked until tender-crisp and then placed in an ice bath (a large bowl full of cold water and ice).

This process is called shocking, which rapidly cools down the vegetable and stops the cooking process. It also helps the green beans retain their texture and lovely deep green colour as well.

As the green beans sit in the ice bath, heat up a large skillet (I used a deep sided cast-iron skillet) and then add the garlic and ginger.

Sauté them in the hot oil for one to two minutes, allowing it to get aromatic and slightly browned before adding the drained green beans to the skillet.

Then add in the soy sauce, sliced almonds, salt and pepper into the skillet and toss to combine, until the green beans are heated through.

A large wooden spoon holding garlic ginger green beans with more green beans in a skillet in the background.

These few ingredients heighten this simple dish by adding aromatic notes of spicy, pungent, and salty flavours to the natural vegetal sweetness of the green beans. The sliced almonds give this side dish a mild nutty flavour and additional crunch.

In all, this green bean side dish:

  • Is simple and flavourful
  • Fresh and healthy
  • Is quick and easy to make
  • Uses few ingredients
  • Is made with simple ingredients
  • Is vegan too. (Also gluten-free if you make sure you get a gluten-free soy sauce).
Sautéed green beans with ginger, garlic, and almonds in an large cast iron skillet.

Interested in more vegetable-based side dish recipes?

I hope you try this recipe! If you do, please leave me a rating and comment down below or tag me on any of my social media. I’m @yay_for_food on Instagram. I’d love a picture!

Metal tongs holding garlic ginger green beans with more green beans in a cast iron skillet below.
Garlic Ginger Green Beans

Garlic Ginger Green Beans

Yield: 4-6 as a side dish
Prep Time: 8 minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

A quick and delicious vegetable side dish recipe. Tender, crisp, colourful French green beans get a flavour boost from the addition of garlic and ginger.

Ingredients

  • 1½ lb. French green beans, trimmed *(see first note)
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2-inch fresh ginger, minced
  • 2 tbsp sliced almonds
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. In a large pot, boil the green beans for 3-4 minutes, until tender-crisp. Then immediately place the green beans into a large bowl with ice and cold water (ice bath). Set aside.
  2. Heat a large skillet at medium-high heat and add the oil, garlic, and ginger to the skillet. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until the garlic just begins to brown.
  3. Remove the green beans from the ice bath using a slotted spoon and place them into the skillet. Top with soy sauce, almonds, salt and pepper, and then toss to combine all the ingredients.
  4. After the green beans are heated through, remove from heat. Taste for additional salt and pepper. Best served immediately.

Notes

  • *You can also use regular green beans in this recipe, just boil them for a few more minutes until they get tender-crisp.
  • Nutritional information represents one serving for a total of six servings.

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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 117Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 296mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 6gSugar: 6gProtein: 4g

Sharing is caring!

Colleen

Saturday 6th of October 2018

Garlic and ginger with green beans are such a perfect combo. And your beans look so perfectly tender crisp. I love the almond addition, too. Pinning to make these soon!

Marie | Yay! For Food

Saturday 6th of October 2018

Thanks for pinning, Colleen!

Kelly

Friday 5th of October 2018

I'm always looking for new ways to make vegetables and this looks like the perfect recipe. This will be a big hit at our house for sure!

Marie | Yay! For Food

Friday 5th of October 2018

Thanks Kelly! It's one tasty side dish.

Annissa

Friday 5th of October 2018

What an easy and simple side dish recipe that's hearty and filling! Looks so fresh and delish!

Marie | Yay! For Food

Friday 5th of October 2018

Thank you Annissa.

Tara

Friday 5th of October 2018

Yum! I love how easily these green beans come together and the combination of garlic and ginger. Sounds absolutely wonderful.

Marie | Yay! For Food

Friday 5th of October 2018

Thanks Tara. It's so simple to make, yet so flavourful!

adriana

Friday 5th of October 2018

Love the idea of reinventing a classic and adding ginger, delightful! I will include this to my Thanksgiving meal so easy and yummy side dish.

Marie | Yay! For Food

Friday 5th of October 2018

Thanks Adriana! I love the combo of ginger and garlic. It gives any dish a flavour boost!

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