Chinese Dry Fried Garlic Green Beans

Dry Fried Garlic Green Beans on a white plate.

5 from 4 votes

Chinese Dry Fried Garlic Green Beans

These Chinese-style garlic green beans are "dry fried", using a technique with less oil than your typical restaurant style green beans, but they come out equally delicious!

Servings:

Author: Chris Joe

Ingredients

1 lb green beans washed and trimmed
1.5 tbsp neutral oil (I prefer avocado, but vegetable, peanut, or canola work here)
6 cloves garlic chopped
salt to taste
1/2 tsp white pepper
1/4 tsp msg

Instructions

In 1 tbsp of oil over medium high heat, add your green beans and toss to coat in the oil (the pan should be relatively dry). Stir fry for 3-4 minutes until the green beans are slightly charred but still crisp and remove from the pan.
In the same pan, add 1/2 tbsp oil and fry garlic over medium heat until fragrant (do not brown).
Add the green beans, salt and white pepper and msg. Stir fry and mix for another 30 seconds over high heat and serve immediately.

Notes

Trim the Green Beans - After washing the green beans, I like to trim both ends by 1/8". This is totally optional but I like that it gives the green beans that 'restaurant quality' look.

Dry Frying - Dry frying is a technique where you use little or no oil and heat your wok (or pan) over high heat until you start seeing smoke. You'll sear your green beans until they're blistered - they will have a beautifully charred and smokey texture while still remaining crisp without having to deep fry.

Watch the Garlic - After you cook your green beans, be extra mindful of the heat to ensure that you do not burn your garlic! Chopped garlic can go from cooked to burned very quickly, so it's important you keep a close eye. The garlic will continue to cook from the residual heat once mixed in with the green beans, so you only need to fry for a few seconds.

Storage - Store any leftover green beans in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. I noticed that green beans get especially soft when stored in the refrigerator. This won't impact the taste. Reheat quickly in the microwave or on the stove top (I like to quickly stir fry them until warmed).

Nutrition