This Easy Chinese Green Beans (Din Tai Fung Style) recipe offers a harmonious blend of savory, slightly sweet, and aromatic flavors. The shallots, garlic, and ginger create a savory base, while the mirin sauce adds a subtle sweetness that balances the dish. The toasted sesame seeds contribute a nutty flavor, enhancing the overall taste.
The texture of the dish is a combination of crispness and tenderness. The green beans are stir-fried over high heat, resulting in a slightly charred and caramelized exterior that provides a satisfying crunchy texture. Inside, the beans remain tender.
This is a perfect Asian side dish that you can serve with this peanut butter chicken.
Jump to:
Why you will love this recipe
You can make this popular dish you find in Chinese restaurants at home
Chinese green beans offer a balanced combination of umami flavor and slightly sweet flavor. The beans themselves have a pleasant crunch, while the seasonings provide a depth of taste.
Chinese green beans are an easy recipe that can be prepared in various ways, from simple stir-fries to complex dishes with additional protein sources like pork, chicken, or tofu. This versatility allows people to tailor the dish to their preferences.
Chinese green bean recipes are often quick to prepare, making them the perfect side for busy individuals or families looking for tasty meals in a short amount of time
The Ingredients
You will need these ingredients you easily find at the grocery store to make this Din Tai Fung Green Beans.
- Fresh green beans, rinsed and dried with paper towels
- Avocado oil or neutral oil
- Shallots diced
- Mirin sauce or sweet soy sauce
- Cloves of fresh garlic minced
- Fresh ginger
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Salt and pepper to taste
See the Recipe card for quantities
How to make the Chinese Green Beans (Din Tai Fung Style); Step by Step
Trim off the ends of the green beans.
Heat your skillet over medium-high heat, adding the oil.
Once the oil is hot add the green beans to the frying pan and cook for about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season to taste.
Transfer the green beans to a paper towel-lined plate to remove the excess oil.
Reduce heat to medium heat and toss in the diced shallots, minced garlic, and ginger in the same skillet. Cook for 5 minutes and give them a gentle stir, allowing them to soften.
Add the mirin sauce, and continue cooking for 1 minute.
Serve on a plate and pour the mirin sauce mixture on top.
Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Serve Immediately, Chinese Green Beans are best enjoyed immediately after cooking. Serve them hot as a side dish.
Tips
Stir-frying is all about high heat and quick cooking. Make sure you have hot oil before adding the green beans. This helps to achieve a deliciously crisp exterior while preserving the bright green color and nutrients.
As stir-frying happens quickly, it's important to have all your ingredients prepped and within reach.
To ensure that you get crispy green beans cooked evenly and don't get overcrowded, it's best to stir-fry them in batches if necessary.
Storage
Refrigeration: Place the airtight container with the green beans in the refrigerator. Cooked green beans are best consumed within 3-4 days of cooking.
Avoid Freezing: While it's possible to freeze cooked green beans, their texture might change after thawing, and they could become mushy.
When you're ready to enjoy the stored green beans, you can reheat them gently. You can do this by microwaving them for short intervals, stirring occasionally, or by reheating them in a skillet over medium-high heat with a bit of oil or butter.
Variations
If you enjoy a bit of heat, add some chili pepper flakes or sliced fresh chili peppers to the pan along with the garlic and ginger. This will give the dish a spicy twist.
For a refreshing citrus flavor, squeeze the juice of half a lemon or lime over the cooked green beans just before serving.
Enhance the nuttiness by drizzling a small amount spicy szechuan chili oil over the green beans right at the end of cooking.
For a burst of freshness, consider garnishing the finished dish with a handful of chopped fresh herbs like cilantro, mint, or green onions.
FAQ
What can I substitute for mirin sauce?
If you don't have mirin sauce, you can use a combination of rice vinegar and sugar as a substitute. Mix 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar with 1 teaspoon of sugar to replicate the mild sweetness of mirin.
Can I use a different type of oil instead of vegetable oil?
While vegetable oil is commonly used in Chinese cooking, you can substitute it with other neutral oils such as canola oil or peanut oil.
Can I omit the toasted sesame seeds in this green bean recipe?
Yes, you can omit the toasted sesame seeds if you prefer. They add a nice nutty flavor and a bit of crunch to the dish, but the recipe will still taste delicious without them.
Serve with
Easy Chinese Green Beans (Din Tai Fung Style)
Equipment
- large skillet or work
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans rinsed and dried with paper towels
- ยผ cup avocado oil or neutral oil
- 2 shallots diced
- 2 teaspoons mirin sauce or sweet soy sauce
- 2 cloves fresh garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Trim off the ends of the green beans.
- Heat your skillet over medium-high heat, adding the oil.
- Once the oil is hot add the green beans to the frying pan and cook for about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season to taste.
- Transfer the green beans to a paper towel-lined plate to remove the excess oil.ย
- Reduce heat to medium heat and toss in the diced shallots, minced garlic, and ginger in the same skillet. Cook for 5 minutes and give them a gentle stir, allowing them to soften.
- Add the mirin sauce, and continue cooking for 1 minute.
- Transfer the green beans to a paper towel-lined plate to remove the excess oil.
- Serve on a plate and pour the mirin sauce mixture on top.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Serve Immediately, Chinese Green Beans are best enjoyed immediately after cooking. Serve them hot as a side dish
Notes
Tips
- Stir-frying is all about high heat and quick cooking. Make sure you have hot oil before adding the green beans. This helps to achieve a deliciously crisp exterior while preserving the bright green color and nutrients.
- As stir-frying happens quickly, it's important to have all your ingredients prepped and within reach.
- To ensure that you get crispy green beans cooked evenly and don't get overcrowded, it's best to stir-fry them in batches if necessary.
Leave a Reply