Garlic Butter Stir-Fried Green Beans with Toasted Sesame

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Fresh green beans quickly stir-fried in a garlic butter sauce and finished with toasted sesame seeds for a crunchy, savory side. This asian fusion-inspired vegetarian ready in about 20 minutes pairs green beans, unsalted butter, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 140 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Asian Fusion cuisine 140 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 lb trimmed green beans and blanch for 3 minutes until bright green and slightly tender. Drain and immediately plunge into ice water to stop cooking.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat until melted and foaming. Add 4 finely minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Drain the green beans and add them to the skillet, tossing to coat in the garlic butter. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the beans are heated through and slightly caramelized.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 tbsp soy sauce and 1/4 tsp black pepper, tossing to combine. Remove from heat and sprinkle with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Garlic Butter Stir-Fried Green Beans with Toasted Sesame take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Garlic Butter Stir-Fried Green Beans with Toasted Sesame?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep green beans from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Garlic Butter Stir-Fried Green Beans with Toasted Sesame?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Garlic Butter Stir-Fried Green Beans with Toasted Sesame for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Garlic Butter Stir-Fried Green Beans with Toasted Sesame vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes