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Asian Green Bean Recipe

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Asian Green Bean Recipe

Whenever I go to the farmer's market, I always shop in season. Since green beans are one of my favorite vegetables, I know the best green beans are at the market from May to late October. During my shopping trip today I found beautiful green beans, so of course, I bought a ton of them before they disappear. One of my favorite ways to cook green beans is my Asian green bean recipe. Simple, yet delicious, Asian green beans take minutes to prepare. 

Even though my Asian green bean recipe is generally a side dish, tonight I decided to make it the center of a tofu noodle bowl. Regardless if you enjoy Asian green beans as a side dish or eat them as a main dish, you won't be disappointed by the intense flavors. 

As usual, it's all about the sauce, which makes the Asian green bean recipe a keeper. 

WHAT'S IN THE SAUCE FOR ASIAN GREEN BEANS

In fact, the sauce is so yummy, I made a double batch and marinated my tofu overnight to compliment the green beans. For tonight's dinner, I plan to use rice noodles as in my Asian green bean recipe bowl as well. But, feel free to use brown rice instead if you prefer.

Cleaning green beans

HOW TO COOK GREEN BEANS QUICKLY FOR ASIAN GREEN BEAN RECIPE

In order to cook Asian green beans quickly, I use my wok on medium-high heat. 🔥When using a wok, be sure to heat the pan before adding the green beans. As a result, the beans cook quickly and evenly when tossed in the wok. Again, oil is not necessary. Instead, use the sauce once the beans begin to cook. 

Cooking Green Beans

WAYS TO SERVE ASIAN GREEN BEANS 

  • Side dish
  • In a bowl with tofu and rice noodles (This is what I chose today)
  • Toss with other Asian vegetables and serve on brown rice
  • Serve with Eggplant with Miso
  • Grilled Asian Sesame Tofu with Vegetable Slaw with Asian green bean recipe on the  side
  • With mushrooms, marinated in the same sauce served with zucchini noodles

Asian Green Beans

One of my favorite ways to highlight Asian green beans is to serve them with grilled tofu marinated in the same sauce with rice noodles and lime wedges. Even though this recipe has very few ingredients, the sauce elevates the flavors. 

HOW TO PRESS TOFU FOR ASIAN GREEN BEAN BOWL

E-Z Tofu Press

First, carefully remove the tofu from the package, discarding the fluid from the package.  

Then, place the tofu in the middle of the tofu press and turn both knobs equally about four turns. I usually place the tofu press in the sink on its side, but for this visual post, I placed it on a plate to drain.

  • Turn the knobs every two minutes, equally until you have the end result (the last picture).
  • Most people stop here…NOT YET. Keep turning until the knobs are screwed as far as they can to almost touch the end like this:
  • Now, remove the press from the plate, and I give it another press with some paper towel for excess fluid removal.

Asian Green Bean Bowl

GRILLING INSTRUCTIONS

  • Preheat the grill to low
  • Place a grill mat on the grill (you can also use a grill pan, or if you are careful, you can place the tofu directly on the grill.
  • Cook for about 8 minutes on each side
  • Remove from the grill and place back in the marinade until ready to use.  
  • Then, cut it into strips or cubes

BAKING TOFU IS JUST AS EASY

  • Simply follow the same pressing and marinating process. 
  • Then, preheat the oven to 400 degrees
  • Place cut or uncut tofu on a silicone baking mat  or parchment paper
  • Cook for 15 minutes
  • Remove from oven and flip tofu over; cook for an additional 15 minutes. 

AIR-FRYING TOFU

  • Simply follow the same pressing and marinating process. 
  • Set air fryer temperature at 375 degrees
  • Cook 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket a couple of times through the cooking process

IF YOU LOVE HEALTHY OIL-FREE ASIAN DISHES, CHECK OUT THESE RECIPES

Asian Green Bean Recipe
Yield: 6 servings

Asian Green Bean Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Asian Green Bean Recipe is a simple side dish or main dish highlighting tangy Asian green beans served on a bed of rice noodles and topped with grilled tofu, lime wedges and Thai basil.

Ingredients

Asian Green Bean Sauce/Marinade (1/2 for tofu marinade; 1/2 for cooking green beans)

Other Ingredients

  • 1 14 ounce package extra-firm or sprouted tofu, pressed and patted dry
  • 1 pound fresh green beans, ends broken off
  • 1 package rice noodles, cooked according to package directions

Garnish

  • 2 limes, cut in quarter
  • 1/2 cup Thai basil

Instructions

Asian Green Bean Marinade and Sauce (1/2 tofu marinade; 1/2 stir fry sauce)

  1. In a small bowl, whisk all the ingredients together.
  2. Once the tofu is pressed and patted dry, cut into 4 equal pieces, and pour half the marinade over the pressed tofu, and marinate overnight.
  3. Refrigerate the rest of the sauce until ready to use.

CHOOSE YOUR COOKING METHOD

GRILLING INSTRUCTIONS (TOFU)

  1. Preheat the grill to low
  2. Place a grill mat on the grill (you can also use a grill pan, or if you are careful, you can place the tofu directly on the grill.
  3. Cook for about 8 minutes on each side
  4. Remove from the grill and place back in the marinade until ready to use.
  5. Then, cut it into strips or cubes

BAKING TOFU IS JUST AS EASY

  1. Simply follow the same pressing and marinating process.
  2. Then, preheat the oven to 400 degrees
  3. Place cut or uncut tofu on a silicone baking mat or parchment paper
    Cook for 15 minutes
  4. Remove from oven and flip tofu over; cook for an additional 15 minutes.

AIR-FRYING TOFU

  1. Simply follow the same pressing and marinating process.
  2. Set air fryer temperature at 375 degrees
  3. Cook 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket a couple of times through the cooking process

COOKING THE ASIAN GREEN BEANS AND PREPARING THE RICE NOODLES

  1. Prepare the rice noodles according to the package instructions and set aside.
  2. Break off/cut the ends of the green beans.
  3. Rinse the green beans; drain but do not dry
  4. In a wok on medium-high cook minced garlic and add wet green beans; begin tossing the beans (they cook quickly)
  5. Cook for 2 minutes, tossing every minute.
  6. Add the remaining half of the sauce, and continuously cook the green beans until all the sauce dissipates and thickens on the green beans.

BUILDING AN ASIAN GREEN BEAN BOWL

  1. Add a small portion of rice noodles to the bottom of each bowl.
  2. Add a serving of Asian green beans, some grilled tofu, and top with grilled tofu.
  3. Garnish with lime wedges and Thai basil leaves.

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Nutrition Information

Yield

4 servings

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 223Total Fat 5gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 0mgSodium 580mgCarbohydrates 30gFiber 6gSugar 10gProtein 16g

Nutrition facts may not be 100% accurate.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

© Kathy Carmichael
Cuisine: Asian / Category: Entrees
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. JoAnne Lowe

    Asian Green Bean Recipe is a delightful meal. A light, refreshing dinner and fairly quick and easy ( marinating the tofu takes time). Next time I'll add the already cooked tofu into the pan with the beans and leftover marinade. I had leftover water chestnuts and bamboo in my fridge so tossed them in also. Thanks for this easy and pleasing meal!

    Reply

    • Kathy Carmichael

      Hi JoAnne! I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thank you for the great ideas for additions to the meal. Stay safe and healthy 🙂

      Reply

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