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    Home / Recipes / Vegan Entrees

    Asian Green Bean Recipe

    Published: Oct 28, 2020 · Modified: Jun 10, 2022 by Kathy Carmichael · This post may contain affiliate links.

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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

    • Hoison sauce
    • Soy sauce or Tamari (gluten-free option)
    • Fresh ginger
    • Red chili flakes
    • Water

    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

    • Cabbage Asian Salad
    • Asian Salad with Peanut Dressing
    • Lemongrass Tofu Recipe
    • Vegan Poke Bowl Recipe
    • Vietnamese Noodles
    • Chinese Chicken Salad
    • Spicy Cucumber Salad
    • Grilled Asian Sesame Tofu with Vegetable Slaw
    • Kale Asian Pasta Salad
    • General Tso Cauliflower
    • Tofu with Peanut Sauce
    Asian Green Bean Recipe

    Asian Green Beans

    Kathy Carmichael
    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.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Entrees
    Cuisine Asian
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 234 kcal

    Equipment

    • San-J Organic Gluten Free Soy Sauce Tamari -- 10 fl oz - 2 pc

    Ingredients
      

    Asian Green Bean Sauce/Marinade (½ for tofu marinade; ½ for cooking green beans)

    • ¾ cup water
    • 4 Tablespoons Hoisin Sauce
    • 3 Tablespoons soy sauce or Tamari gluten-free option
    • 1- inch fresh ginger grated
    • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

    Other Ingredients

    • 14 ounces 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
    • ½ cup Thai basil

    Instructions
     

    • Asian Green Bean Marinade and Sauce (½ tofu marinade; ½ stir fry sauce)
    • In a small bowl, whisk all the ingredients together.
    • 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.
    • Refrigerate the rest of the sauce until ready to use.

    Grilling Tofu

    • 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

    • 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

    Green Beans and Noodles

    • Prepare the rice noodles according to the package instructions and set aside.
    • Break off/cut the ends of the green beans.
    • Rinse the green beans; drain but do not dry
    • In a wok on medium-high cook minced garlic and add wet green beans; begin tossing the beans (they cook quickly)
    • Cook for 2 minutes, tossing every minute.
    • 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 the Bowl

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

    Notes

    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. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 234kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 9gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 0.3mgSodium: 795mgPotassium: 341mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 688IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 73mgIron: 2mg
    Tried our recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Kathy Carmichael

    Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂

    www.kathysvegankitchen.com/about-me/

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Anonymous

      October 28, 2020 at 11:42 am

      5 stars

      Reply
    2. Anonymous

      October 28, 2020 at 12:01 pm

      5 stars

      Reply
    3. JoAnne Lowe

      November 01, 2020 at 10:25 am

      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

        November 01, 2020 at 11:10 am

        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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    127 shares