Sautéed Mung Bean Sprouts with Garlic and Fish Sauce

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

A simple and vibrant Filipino vegetable side dish featuring crisp mung bean sprouts sautéed with garlic and a savory fish sauce finish. This filipino-inspired vegetarian ready in about 10 minutes pairs mung bean sprouts, garlic cloves, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 60 calories and feeds 3, 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.

★ 4.3 (12 ratings) Prep: 5 min Cook: 5 min Serves 3 Filipino cuisine 60 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until golden and aromatic.
  2. Step 2: Immediately add 4 cups mung bean sprouts to the skillet and toss for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until sprouts are tender-crisp.
  3. Step 3: Drizzle 1 tablespoon fish sauce over the sprouts and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Stir well to combine and cook for another 30 seconds.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat, garnish with 2 sliced spring onions, and serve immediately as a fresh side dish.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Mung Bean Sprouts with Garlic and Fish Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 10 minutes (5 min prep + 5 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 Mung Bean Sprouts with Garlic and Fish Sauce?

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 bean sprouts from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Mung Bean Sprouts with Garlic and Fish Sauce?

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 Mung Bean Sprouts with Garlic and Fish Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 Mung Bean Sprouts with Garlic and Fish Sauce?

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.

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