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Easy Chinese Garlic Fried Green Beans are among my favorite things to snag on a Chinese lunch buffet, and I’m sharing this recipe to show you just how easy they are to make for home cooks. That way, you can have this great side dish anytime your heart desires without waiting in line at a Chinese buffet or paying for Chinese takeout again!

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A close-up picture of Easy Chinese Garlic Fried Green Beans.

A couple of things make these Chinese garlic-fried green Beans so appealing. First and foremost, it’s all about the flavor, and my green bean recipe has tons of it! The Garlic alone is tasty, but I also like adding brown sugar for sweetness and low-sodium soy for umami. That combination of sweet and salty gives you the best green beans!

Secondly, the fresh and crispy texture of these Asian green beans makes them irresistible. (Frozen is the next best thing if you can’t get fresh green beans.) You cook the green beans until they soften slightly, ensuring you leave a nice crisp crunch in each bite. Since frozen beans are available year-round in grocery stores, this perfect side dish is right at your fingertips, no matter the season.

What type of green beans are the best to use?

If you grow your own, that is the best—no questions asked. Fresh garden veggies can’t be beaten; you have so much control over the quality and freshness. But if you don’t have the time, patience, knowledge, or desire to grow your garden, and you don’t have a close neighbor with an amazing green thumb and an even bigger heart for sharing their bounty, then frozen vegetables, to me, are the next best thing.

I avoid canned green beans because they have been sitting in liquid and usually contain a good amount of salt. Frozen green beans can maintain a crisp texture and don’t turn to complete mush right out of the package like their canned counterparts.

Easy Chinese Garlic Fried Green Beans in a white serving dish.

When I was growing up, green beans always appeared at dinner time. Those green beans came fresh from the garden at my grandparents’ house. They were delicious and tasted unlike any other green bean I’ve ever had. In contrast, at my mom’s house, she usually opened a can of regular green beans and warmed them up. (Ha, LOVE YOU MOM!)

I got burned out pretty quickly with the canned version of this vegetable, and I never tasted any seasoned green beans that knocked my socks off until I got much older. Throughout the years, I’ve cooked and tasted many variations of green beans and have come to love this wonderful green veggie again.

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I know and believe that if you, like me, have grown tired of green beans from a can or beans in general that have no flavor or texture, then this recipe will completely change your feelings.

If you are trying to incorporate more veggies into weekly meals for the family and you have picky eaters, this easy recipe will fit the bill.

It’s approachable, has simple ingredients, is relatively healthy, and pairs perfectly with every main dish.

Another reason I feel compelled to share this Chinese green bean recipe is because so many people feel intimidated about cooking Chinese food at home. (And not just Chinese food, but Ethnic foods in general.) Much of that fear comes from new ingredients and spices we don’t typically have and have never cooked with.

Easy Chinese Garlic Fried Green Beans in a large skillet.

People often fear buying new spices for one dish and wasting all that money because they aren’t pantry staples used in their other cooking.

So, to dispel this myth and some mystery around traditional Chinese spices and ingredients, I’m listing some for you and their possible uses:

Sesame Oil—This little oil packs a BIG flavor. It’s commonly used as a “finishing oil, ” not a cooking oil. That means it’s drizzled on the finished dish for extra delicious flavor. It’s used in stir fry, noodle dishes, fried rice, vegetables, sauces, dressings, and dips.
Oyster Sauce—This delicious sauce is used in Chinese-style stir-fries, Chow Mein, soups/stews, and marinades. It can be pretty salty, so a little goes a long way, but it is earthy and full of umami flavor.
Chili Oil is a delicious condiment that adds a spicy kick to your dish. I use it most often in my chicken-flavored Ramen. Mix well with one raw egg and a heaping spoonful of chili oil. It is AMAZING!
Rice Vinegar—This vinegar gives Asian dipping sauces their distinct flavor. (I haven’t found anything else that replicates it.) It’s also used in marinades, salad dressings, and to season sushi rice before rolling.
Fresh Ginger – This potent root is added to your favorite Asian dishes for extra flavor. It can also be infused into drinks and pickled to cleanse your palate while enjoying sushi.
Regular soy sauce – This is the ingredient I use the most. (I prefer the low-sodium version because it can get salty fast.) Soy sauce has a delicious flavor and is also great drizzled on your finished dishes or as a sauce for dipping.

Tips for Easy Chinese Garlic Fried Green Beans:

If you want to use fresh garlic cloves instead of garlic powder, use eight cloves instead of garlic powder. (I know that seems like a lot, but this flavorful side dish needs a strong garlic flavor.) You can use a garlic press, or I like to grate my garlic directly into the dish.

Make Easy Chinese Garlic Fried Green Beans with me on YouTube!