Imagine a side dish so tantalizing that it transforms the humble green bean into a culinary masterpiece. Our Cold Garlic Sesame Soy Marinated Green Beans are not just a recipe—they're a flavor explosion waiting to happen! With a perfect balance of Asian-inspired seasonings and a refreshing cold serving technique, this dish will revolutionize your vegetable game and leave your dinner guests begging for the recipe.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Cuisine: Asian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Begin by preparing the green beans. Rinse them under cold water to remove any dirt or impurities. Trim the ends of the green beans by snapping them off or cutting them with a knife.
- In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Once boiling, add the trimmed green beans to the pot and blanch them for about 3-5 minutes until they are bright green and tender-crisp.
- While the green beans are blanching, prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with cold water and ice cubes. This will stop the cooking process and help retain the vibrant color of the green beans.
- Once the green beans are done blanching, immediately transfer them to the ice bath using a slotted spoon or tongs. Let them sit in the ice bath for about 2-3 minutes until completely cooled.
- After cooling, drain the green beans and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, and sesame seeds. Whisk the ingredients together until well blended.
- Place the cooled green beans in a large mixing bowl or a resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the green beans, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- If using a bowl, cover it with plastic wrap. If using a bag, seal it tightly. Allow the green beans to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. For best results, marinate for up to an hour.
- Once marinated, remove the green beans from the refrigerator. Serve them cold or at room temperature as a refreshing side dish. Enjoy your Cold Garlic Sesame Soy Marinated Green Beans!
Tips
- Blanching is Key: The secret to maintaining that vibrant green color and crisp texture is the ice bath technique. Don't skip this step—it's what separates amateur cooks from culinary pros!
- Marination Magic: While 10 minutes of marinating works, letting the green beans sit in the sauce for up to an hour will intensify the flavors. Patience is your flavor-enhancing friend.
- Garlic Lovers' Hack: For an extra punch of garlic flavor, consider using fresh, freshly minced garlic rather than pre-chopped varieties.
- Sesame Seed Upgrade: Toast your sesame seeds lightly in a dry pan before adding them to the marinade to enhance their nutty flavor.
- Make-Ahead Marvel: This dish can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator, making it perfect for meal prep or entertaining.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 85kcal
Carbohydrates: 9g
Protein: 4g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
