Sautéed Mung Bean Sprouts with Garlic and Toasted Sesame
A light and crunchy vegetable side dish featuring crisp mung bean sprouts quickly sautéed with garlic and finished with toasted sesame seeds for nutty aroma. This filipino-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 10 minutes pairs thinly sliced garlic cloves, vegetable oil, toasted sesame seeds 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
- 400 g (about 14 oz), rinsed and drained mung bean sprouts
- 4 cloves, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden, being careful not to burn.
- Step 2: Increase heat to medium-high, add 400 g rinsed mung bean sprouts, and stir-fry quickly for 2-3 minutes until sprouts are tender-crisp and steaming.
- Step 3: Season with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp soy sauce. Stir well to coat and cook for another 30 seconds until the sauce lightly glazes the sprouts.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds on top for a nutty crunch before serving warm as a side.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Mung Bean Sprouts with Garlic and Toasted Sesame 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 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 thinly sliced garlic cloves from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Mung Bean Sprouts with Garlic and 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 Mung Bean Sprouts with Garlic and 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 Mung Bean Sprouts with Garlic and 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.
