Sauteed Garlic Green Beans with Toasted Shrimp Paste

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

Fresh green beans stir-fried with aromatic garlic and enriched with savory toasted shrimp paste for an umami-packed side dish. This filipino-inspired vegetarian ready in about 20 minutes pairs fresh green beans, shrimp paste (bagoong), 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.

★ 4.4 (15 ratings) Prep: 5 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Filipino cuisine 90 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 2 tbsp shrimp paste, cooking for 1 minute to toast and release aroma.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 lb trimmed and halved fresh green beans to the skillet, tossing to coat with garlic and shrimp paste.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1/4 cup water, cover, and steam for 4-5 minutes until green beans are tender-crisp.
  5. Step 5: Remove lid, stir well, season with salt and 1/4 tsp red chili flakes if using, then cook uncovered for another 2 minutes until water evaporates and green beans have a slight char.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sauteed Garlic Green Beans with Toasted Shrimp Paste take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (5 min prep + 15 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 Sauteed Garlic Green Beans with Toasted Shrimp Paste?

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 fresh green beans from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sauteed Garlic Green Beans with Toasted Shrimp Paste?

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 Sauteed Garlic Green Beans with Toasted Shrimp Paste 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 Sauteed Garlic Green Beans with Toasted Shrimp Paste 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.

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