Stir-Fried Szechuan Green Beans with Garlic and Chili

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Crisp-tender green beans stir-fried with fragrant garlic and fiery chili for a spicy, savory side dish bursting with Szechuan flavors. This chinese-inspired chinese (vegetarian) ready in about 20 minutes pairs trimmed green beans, vegetable oil, 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.

★ 4.5 (10 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 120 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 1 lb trimmed green beans and stir-fry for 5 minutes until the beans are blistered and crisp-tender.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp dried red chili flakes to the wok, stirring constantly for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, and sprinkle 1/2 tsp sugar and 1/2 tsp crushed Szechuan peppercorns. Stir-fry for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the green beans.
  4. Step 4: Taste and season with salt as needed, then remove from heat and serve immediately as a spicy, flavorful side.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Szechuan 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 Stir-Fried Szechuan 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 trimmed green beans from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Szechuan 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 Stir-Fried Szechuan 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 Stir-Fried Szechuan 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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