Sautéed Ginisang Munggo with Spinach and Garlic
A hearty Filipino mung bean stew sautéed with garlic and fresh spinach, delivering a nutritious and comforting vegetarian meal. This filipino-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 50 minutes pairs mung beans, water, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 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 cup mung beans
- 4 cups water
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 large tomato, diced
- 4 cups spinach leaves, chopped
- 2 tbsp fish sauce (patis)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup mung beans under cold water. In a pot, combine mung beans and 4 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes until beans are tender and starting to soften.
- Step 2: While beans cook, heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 medium chopped onion, sauté for 3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
- Step 3: Add 1 large diced tomato and cook for 2 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 4: Pour the cooked mung beans with their cooking liquid into the pan. Stir in 2 tbsp fish sauce, and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Simmer for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
- Step 5: Add 4 cups chopped spinach leaves and cook for 2-3 minutes until spinach wilts but retains bright green color. Serve hot with steamed rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Ginisang Munggo with Spinach and Garlic take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (10 min prep + 40 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 Ginisang Munggo with Spinach and Garlic?
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 mung beans from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Ginisang Munggo with Spinach and Garlic?
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 Ginisang Munggo with Spinach and Garlic 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 Ginisang Munggo with Spinach and Garlic 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.
