Sauteed Sesame Green Beans
This green bean dish uses fresh green beans, sesame seeds, and garlic. The beans are served warm and can be an entree or a side dish. This recipe is also gluten-free and dairy-free.
One of the great things about green beans is their versatility. They can be steamed, boiled, sautéed, or roasted, and they pair well with a wide variety of flavors and seasonings. Whether you’re serving them alongside grilled chicken, roasted pork, or a hearty pasta dish, green beans add a fresh and nutritious element to any meal. So next time you’re planning a meal, consider adding green beans to the menu for a healthy and delicious side dish.
Why make these beans
- Natural Flavors: The natural flavors of the green beans, garlic, and sesame seeds shine through, creating a dish that is both delicious and wholesome.
- Quick Preparation: With just a few ingredients, this recipe can be prepared in a short amount of time, making it perfect for a busy weeknight.
- Healthy and Nutritious: Green beans are a healthy vegetable, rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. This recipe preserves the nutritional value of the green beans by using minimal additional ingredients.
- Great Flavor Combination: The combination of earthy green beans, the rich nuttiness of toasted sesame seeds, and savory garlic creates a dish that is full of flavor and texture.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Green beans – I’ve used fresh beans, but you can also use frozen beans for this recipe. Make sure to buy tender, bright green beans from the market if using fresh.
- Oil – I love to use olive oil, but you can also use sesame oil.
- Sesame seeds – Toast the sesame seeds lightly for that nutty flavor.
- Garlic – Use fresh garlic for this recipe.
Step-by-step: Sautéed green beans
- Toast – In a large frying pan over medium heat, toast the sesame seeds for 2 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté – To the same pan, add the oil and garlic. Sauté over medium heat. Add the beans and toss them in the oil.
- Cover – Add about 2 tbsp of water. Cover the pan and let it cook on medium-low for no more than 3 minutes.
Pro tip – Any more than 3 minutes covered will cause the beans to lose their lovely green color. Optionally, you can cook the beans uncovered for a longer time. - Uncover – After three minutes, uncover the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender.
- Season – Add salt and pepper to taste. Then add the lemon juice and sesame seeds.
- Serve – Remove from the heat and out of the pan to stop further cooking.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can use frozen green beans for this recipe. However, fresh green beans will provide the best texture and flavor.
While it’s best to serve sesame green beans fresh, you can blanch the green beans and prepare the garlic and sesame seeds ahead of time. When ready to serve, just sauté the garlic, add the blanched green beans, and finish with the sesame seeds.
While sesame seeds add flavor and texture to the dish, you can omit them if you prefer or if you have a sesame allergy.
Green beans, if fresh and tender, usually take about 8-10 minutes. Older beans are best not used and take about 12 to 15 minutes to cook. Frozen beans would take much less time to cook.
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free. Just be sure to use gluten-free soy sauce if you have a gluten intolerance.
Yes, this recipe is vegan as written. Just be sure to use a vegan-friendly oil and check that your soy sauce is vegan.
Sautéed Sesame Green Beans
This green bean dish uses fresh green beans, sesame seeds, and garlic. Sesame Green Beans are served warm and can be an entree or a side dish. This recipe is also gluten-free and dairy-free.
Video
Ingredients
- 1 lb (500 g) Green beans trimmed and washed
- 1 tbsp Olive oil or sesame oil
- 2 large Garlic cloves sliced
- 2 tbsp Sesame seeds
- 1 tsp White pepper
- ½ tsp Kosher salt
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice optional
Method
- Toast – In a large frying pan over medium heat, toast the sesame seeds for two minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.2 tbsp Sesame seeds
- Saute – To the same pan, add the oil and garlic. Saute over medium heat. Add the beans and toss them in the oil.1 tbsp Olive oil, 2 large Garlic cloves, 1 lb Green beans
- Cover – Add about 2 tbsp of water. Cover the pan and let cook on medium-low for no more than 3 minutes.
- Uncover – After three minutes, uncover the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender.
- Season – Add salt and pepper to taste. Then add the lemon juice and sesame seeds.1 tsp White pepper, ½ tsp Kosher salt, 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- Serve – Remove from the heat and out of the pan to stop further cooking.
Notes
- Fresh Green Beans: Use fresh green beans for the best flavor and texture. Look for beans that are bright green and firm, without any signs of wilting or browning.
- Properly Trimmed: Trim the ends of the green beans before cooking to remove any tough or stringy bits.
- Even Cooking: To ensure even cooking, try to select green beans that are similar in size. This will help them cook at the same rate.
- Blanching Technique: When blanching the green beans, be sure not to overcook them. They should be bright green and slightly tender, but still crisp.
- Ice Bath: Immediately transfer the blanched green beans to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. This helps them retain their vibrant green color and crisp texture.
- Garlic Flavor: For a stronger garlic flavor, you can add more garlic or sauté it for a longer period of time before adding the green beans.
- Toasted Sesame Seeds: Toast the sesame seeds just until they are fragrant and lightly golden. Be careful not to burn them, as they can quickly become bitter.
- Seasoning: Taste and adjust the seasoning of the green beans before serving. Add more salt, pepper, or sesame seeds if desired.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the sesame green beans immediately after cooking for the best flavor and texture.
Equipment you will need
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
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Yum! I love green beans and sesame seeds. I think this is a wonderful side dish for any meal!
Thank you Jenni
These seem so simple but I know they have a lot of flavor. Adding them to my menu this week.
Absolutely Kat. Lots of flavor
These look fabulous! What a treat! Can’t wait to try your recipe!
Thank you Sara.
Fresh green beans are a side that I make on the regular. I really like this recipe with the sesame seeds in it, would be great with some chicken stir fry.
Thank you Sharon. We love green beans in our home too!
Love this! Always looking for a new way to add something fun to my veggies. These look delicious!
Thank you Chritstine. I think you will love this
I love simple sides that are dressed up like this. So good! I especially love sesame. Such a good flavor!
Thank you Kate. We love this very much
These sesame green beans are perfect! They are easy and delicious! I used to not like green beans but that’s only because we used to have canned a lot growing up, but I’ve developed a love for fresh green beans and I can’t wait to try your delicious recipe!
Thank you Elaine. I have never had canned green beans.
The way you prepped these green beans is a perfect way to zing up some normal vegetable fare. I think these look absolutely delectable.
Thank you Ben. We do love bean like this.
I absolutely adore green beans cooked with garlic. These are awesome, and the addition of sesame seeds is genius. I love your strategy of serving a salad first. It’s so important for kids to start eating veggies early. I’ve shared your 15 Healthy eating habits, and this post on my Facebook page. Great recipe. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Thank you Patti. We love green beans in our home. And salad always goes first on the table. You are welcome
It might be simple, but I know it is full of flavor! Love the sprinkled sesame on top as additional crunch and nutty element. I agree on the veggies, they are the most important part of my meals every day.
Green beans dont’ need much for the flavor they are so delish just simply with salt and pepper I think.