Teriyaki Green Beans Recipe
If you’re looking for a punchy, colorful veggie side that pairs with just about any main course, Teriyaki Green Beans might just steal the show. These beauties shimmer with a glossy teriyaki glaze, delivering a perfect balance of garlicky depth, gingery warmth, and sweet-salty pop in every bite. Whether you’re jazzing up a weeknight stir-fry or searching for an exciting holiday vegetable dish, Teriyaki Green Beans will become your new favorite way to bring fresh flavor to the table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be amazed at how such simple ingredients come together to create big flavor. Each item on this list plays an important role in bringing out the bright, savory, and subtly sweet notes that make Teriyaki Green Beans utterly irresistible.
- Fresh Green Beans: Choose beans that are firm and vibrant for the best snap and texture.
- Sesame Oil: Adds a toasty, nutty aroma that forms the flavor backbone of this dish.
- Garlic: Gives the beans a pungent, mouthwatering depth—they’d be lost without it!
- Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: Brings that essential umami magic while letting you control the saltiness.
- Brown Sugar: Melts into the sauce, balancing the salty and tangy elements with a hint of molasses sweetness.
- Rice Vinegar: Lifts the glaze with a gentle tang, ensuring it never tastes flat or heavy.
- Water: Helps the cornstarch dissolve smoothly for an even, silky sauce.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the teriyaki glaze, so it clings to every bean.
- Fresh Ginger: Brings bright, spicy warmth to the background flavor—don’t skip it!
- Sesame Seeds (optional): Sprinkle over for a touch of crunch and eye-catching finish.
- Chopped Green Onions (optional): Adds a fresh, zesty color that makes your dish pop.
How to Make Teriyaki Green Beans
Step 1: Blanch the Green Beans
Start by bringing a big pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Toss in your trimmed green beans and let them cook for just 2 to 3 minutes, until they’re crisp-tender and bright green. When the timer’s up, drain the beans and quickly plunge them into a bowl of ice water. This simple move locks in a gorgeous color and stops them from cooking further—no mushy beans allowed!
Step 2: Whisk Up the Teriyaki Sauce
While your beans chill, grab a small bowl and whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, water, cornstarch, and fresh ginger. Stir until the mixture is completely smooth; this blend is what gives Teriyaki Green Beans their signature sweet-savory glaze, so take a moment to make sure there are no streaks of cornstarch lurking at the bottom!
Step 3: Sauté the Garlic and Beans
Set a large skillet over medium heat and drizzle in the sesame oil. As soon as it’s shimmering and smells irresistible, toss in the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds—just until it’s fragrant, not browned. Add the drained green beans to the pan and sauté for another 2 to 3 minutes so they pick up that garlicky, nutty flavor.
Step 4: Add the Teriyaki Glaze
Give your sauce a quick re-whisk and pour it straight into the pan with the beans. Stir everything together as the sauce starts to bubble and thicken, coating each bean in glossy, savory-sweet goodness. This should take another 2 to 3 minutes—don’t walk away, as the sauce will come together fast and beautifully.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Transfer your glistening Teriyaki Green Beans to a serving dish. Sprinkle them with sesame seeds and chopped green onions if you want that extra flair. The result is a side dish that looks almost too pretty to eat—almost!
How to Serve Teriyaki Green Beans
Garnishes
Finish your Teriyaki Green Beans with a generous shower of toasted sesame seeds and a sprinkle of sliced green onions. These little touches not only add an extra pop of flavor but make the dish look fresh and festive. If you’re feeling adventurous, a tiny dash of crushed red pepper or a zigzag of spicy mayo can bring a whole new dimension to the table.
Side Dishes
Teriyaki Green Beans are the perfect partner for a whole range of meals. Pair them with steaming bowls of jasmine rice, next to grilled salmon, teriyaki tofu, or sticky glazed chicken. Because the flavor profile hits sweet, salty, and tangy all at once, these beans complement both light weeknight dinners and elaborate holiday spreads with ease.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving Teriyaki Green Beans piled high in a shallow platter, or twirl small bundles and tie them with chive stalks for a dinner party wow-factor. For fun family-style meals, toss them onto a big tray with other roasted veggies or layer them on skewers for a playful appetizer. This vibrant dish looks amazing anywhere—get creative!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have extra Teriyaki Green Beans, pop them into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to three days. The flavor actually deepens overnight—you may even find yourself sneaking a cold bean or two straight from the fridge!
Freezing
Generally, freezing is not recommended for Teriyaki Green Beans, as thawed green beans can lose their perfect crunch and the sauce may separate. If you do freeze, use a freezer-safe container and eat within a month; expect a softer texture after reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm your Teriyaki Green Beans in a skillet over low-medium heat with a splash of water to loosen up the glaze. You can also microwave them in short bursts, stirring halfway through. Just go easy—a light hand preserves their lovely bite.
FAQs
Can I use frozen green beans instead of fresh?
Yes, you can make Teriyaki Green Beans with frozen beans if fresh are unavailable. For the best results, thaw and pat them dry first before blanching and following the recipe as usual. The texture may be a little softer, but the flavors will still shine.
How spicy are these Teriyaki Green Beans?
As written, this recipe is mild and family-friendly. If you want to bring some heat, feel free to add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce or top with a drizzle of chili oil when serving.
What protein pairs best with Teriyaki Green Beans?
These beans go beautifully with everything from grilled salmon and teriyaki chicken to seared tofu or tempeh. The sweet-savory glaze complements most proteins, making them a versatile companion to almost any main course.
Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Absolutely! The teriyaki sauce can be whisked together and stored in the refrigerator for up to one week. Give it a good stir before using, and you’re all set for lightning-fast prep whenever that green bean craving strikes.
How do I keep the green beans perfectly crisp?
The secret lies in the quick blanching followed by an ice bath. This method brightens the color and stops the cooking process right away, so your Teriyaki Green Beans keep their irresistible crunch instead of turning limp or mushy.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like dishing up Teriyaki Green Beans and seeing everyone go back for seconds—even the veggie skeptics! I hope you fall in love with their vibrant, flavor-packed simplicity and find all kinds of ways to make them your own. Happy cooking, and enjoy every delicious forkful!
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Teriyaki Green Beans Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Enjoy the perfect balance of savory and sweet with these Teriyaki Green Beans. A delicious Asian-inspired side dish that’s easy to make and packed with flavor.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Teriyaki Sauce:
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
Garnish:
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
- Chopped green onions for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Blanch the Green Beans: Boil salted water, blanch green beans for 2–3 minutes, then shock in ice water.
- Prepare the Teriyaki Sauce: Whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, water, cornstarch, and ginger.
- Cook the Green Beans: Sauté garlic in sesame oil, add green beans, pour in teriyaki sauce, and cook until thickened.
- Serve: Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions before serving.
Notes
- You can make the sauce ahead of time and store in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
