Sesame Seared Green Beans

Shanthi Appelo, MS, RD

| 1 min read

These green beans are bursting with flavor and have the perfect level of crunch. In this recipe, the green beans are seared first to ensure the other ingredients don’t burn. They’re then combined with Thai flavors like refreshing lemongrass and ginger alongside a spicy sambal oelek – an Indonesian chili paste – or spicy garlic sauce. Sesame oil, which is sensitive to heat, is added at the end for a smooth flavor. The red of the sambal oelek and sesame seeds makes this an eye-catching dish.

Total Time:

15 minutes

Prep Time:

5 minutes

Cooking Difficulty:

Medium

Serving Amount
Ingredients

  • 16 oz fresh green beans, trimmed and washed

  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil

  • 2 tsp. Thai seasoning paste

  • 2 Tbsp. light soy sauce

  • 2 tsp. sambal oelek or sriracha, adjust for spice level if needed

  • 2 tsp. sesame oil

  • 2 tsp. sesame seeds

  • 1 lime, cut into wedges

Instructions
  • Step 1

    In a large pan over medium heat, heat olive oil. Once oil is hot, add green beans and sear for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  • Step 2

    Turn the temperature to medium-low. Add Thai seasoning paste, low-sodium soy sauce and sambal oelek and stir until evenly covered. Allow to cook for about 3 more minutes.

  • Step 3

    Drizzle the sesame oil over the beans in the pan and allow to cook for 1 minute.

  • Step 4

    Add beans to a serving plate. Make sure to scrape any saucy mixture at the bottom and add on top. Top with sesame seeds and juice from a lime wedge. Serve with remaining lime wedges.

More from A Healthier Michigan: 3 Easy Appetizers for the Big Game
Photo credit: Shanthi Appelo / BCBSM

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