Sautéed Garlic Green Beans with Toasted Shrimp Paste
Fresh green beans quickly sautéed with aromatic garlic and enriched with the salty, umami depth of toasted Filipino shrimp paste. This filipino-inspired vegetarian ready in about 20 minutes pairs trimmed fresh green beans, shrimp paste (bagoong alamang), minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 70 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 fresh green beans
- 2 tbsp shrimp paste (bagoong alamang)
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 tsp (optional) red chili flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tbsp shrimp paste and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant and slightly toasted.
- Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds until aromatic but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb trimmed fresh green beans to the skillet and stir to coat evenly with shrimp paste and garlic.
- Step 4: Pour in 1/4 cup water, cover the skillet, and steam the green beans for 4-5 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Step 5: Remove lid, increase heat to medium-high, and stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes until water evaporates and green beans are glossy. Sprinkle 1/4 tsp red chili flakes if desired, toss, and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Garlic Green Beans with Toasted Shrimp Paste 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 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 trimmed fresh green beans from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed 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 Sautéed 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.
What goes well with Sautéed Garlic Green Beans with Toasted Shrimp Paste?
Filipino vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
