Sautéed Garlic and Chili Green Beans with Toasted Sesame
Tender green beans pan-sautéed with garlic and chili flakes, finished with toasted sesame seeds for a nutty crunch. This asian-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 20 minutes pairs trimmed green beans, olive oil, thinly sliced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 90 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, trimmed green beans
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp red chili flakes
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse and trim 1 lb of green beans, then pat dry. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves to the skillet, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Toss in the green beans and 1 tsp red chili flakes, stirring to coat; cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until the beans are tender-crisp and slightly blistered.
- Step 4: Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, stirring well to combine.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds over the green beans, stirring once to distribute before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Garlic and Chili 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 Sautéed Garlic and Chili 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 trimmed green beans from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Garlic and Chili 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 Sautéed Garlic and Chili 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 Sautéed Garlic and Chili 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.
