Sichuan-Style Stir-Fried Green Beans with Garlic and Chili

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

A fiery Chinese stir-fry of tender-crisp green beans tossed with fragrant garlic and bold chili flakes for a quick, flavorful side dish. This chinese-inspired stir fry (vegetarian) ready in about 20 minutes pairs pound, trimmed fresh green beans, vegetable oil, finely minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 120 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 120 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 1 pound trimmed fresh green beans and stir-fry for 5-6 minutes until green beans are blistered and tender-crisp.
  2. Step 2: Push the green beans to one side of the wok. Add 5 finely minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp dried red chili flakes to the empty side and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Toss garlic and chili with green beans, then add 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1/2 tsp salt. Stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes until green beans are evenly coated and sauce thickens slightly.
  4. Step 4: Drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil over the beans and give a final toss. Serve immediately as a bold side dish.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sichuan-Style Stir-Fried Green Beans with Garlic and Chili 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 Sichuan-Style Stir-Fried Green Beans with Garlic and Chili?

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 vegetable oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sichuan-Style Stir-Fried Green Beans with Garlic and Chili?

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 Sichuan-Style Stir-Fried Green Beans with Garlic and Chili 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 Sichuan-Style Stir-Fried Green Beans with Garlic and Chili 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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