This post is part of a larger series: An Asian Twist on a Traditional Holiday Meal. Other posts in this series include Chinese Oven Roasted Duck, Keroppi Cookies,Totoro Cookies, and Taro Fries.
Have you ever seen Chinese long beans? It’s got a ton of alternate names, such as the Snake Bean, 豇豆 (Chinese), or even the long podded cowpea (?!).
Though similar to the American green bean, this bean is actually a different species and typically grows about 1 1/2 feet long! It’s less “crunchy” than normal string beans, but more dense, and I think has a sweeter and nuttier flavor.
As part of my Asian-inspired Thanksgiving, I decided to replace the traditional green bean casserole with these lovely, garlic stir-fried long beans. These long beans are so easy to make, and give a huge bang for your buck in terms of cost, time spent, and nutrition.
I’ve always loved the Chinese way of preparing vegetables because nothing is ever cooked for too long. Beans only stay in the hot wok briefly before coming back out. With this cooking method, vegetables keep their nutrients, flavor, and bright green color. 
These long beans only take about 10 minutes to prepare, which is definitely easier, faster (and probably healthier) than a traditional green bean casserole.
Chop long beans into 2 inch segments, prepare a hot wok with oil, briefly brown garlic, and then add the beans. You may need to add a bit of water and cover for a minute or two, but that’s it!
So easy, and so, so good.
Stir Fried Garlic Chinese Long Beans
1 bunch of Chinese long beans (about 1/2 lb)
2 T vegetable oil
1 T garlic, minced
1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
1 tsp soy sauce (or to taste)
Cut up long beans into 2 inch segments. Heat work to medium high heat. Add vegetable oil and minced garlic. When garlic begins to slightly brown, add beans. Add about 1 tablespoon of water, cover, and steam. Wait about 5 minutes, or until beans are cooked through. Add salt and soy sauce to taste.You can optionally add a bit of sugar or hoisin sauce as well if you like it sweet, but I didn’t add any.
Enjoy!
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Such a simple recipes and one of my favorites although I can never get mine to taste as good my my mom’s. And what a great idea to use it as a TG dish.
some fresh ginger is good too, and a few walnuts….. pancetta for Italian fusion!
So much better than that disgusting “classic” casserole!
I’ve been trolling around for a great alternative way to prepare green beans for my family on the holidays. Thanks for the great idea!
this dish is one of my fav daily food. very popular on my country, but we much familiar using baby beans than long beans, every chinese restaurant have it on their menu. im asian too btw 🙂
I never realized that these were different from “American” string beans! Garlic long beans are my favorite side dish at Chinese restaurants. I thought it normally has fish sauce or something else though, no? Will be trying these soon for sure 🙂
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What kind or brand of soy sauce do you use?
I just use the Kikkoman you can get at Costco!
Green beans are TOPS to me!
Every year I plant a garden, and every year I plant something new, different, or unusual. this year was the Asparagus bean or Chinese long bean. They are ready for harvesting and I’m super excited to cook them. Thanks for the recipe, it was exactly the way I had planned to cook them.