Spicy Green Beans are a great easy side! These beans are so full of flavor, they’re perfect for any night of the week, yet fancy enough for holiday meals.
If you want even more green bean recipes, try my string beans almondine and my garlic roasted green beans.
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Why this Spicy Green Beans Recipe is a Keeper
I love this recipe because it’s a quick and easy side dish, that also happens to be super delicious! You will definitely want to add this one to your stash of easy recipes.
- 20 Minute Side: This recipe is quick and easy, and can be done in just 20 minutes.
- Easy Ingredients: It uses 7 common ingredients you might even have in your pantry right now.
- Delicious Flavor: This spicy green beans recipe tastes amazing and is a hit every time.
- Special Occasion Worthy: It’s impressive enough to serve at a gathering or holiday.
Can You Use Frozen or Canned Green Beans in this Recipe?
Yes! You can easily substitute frozen green beans that have been thawed. You can also use canned green beans that have been drained, just sauté them in the skillet and add the sauce!
Ingredient Notes for Spicy Garlic Green Beans
To make this recipe, you will need a couple easy ingredients. If you don’t already have these ingredients in your kitchen, they can easily be found at the store.
- Fresh Green Beans: Fresh green beans are best for this recipe as they are tender and crisp.
- Soy Sauce: Soy sauce will give your green beans a delicious umami flavor, as well as enhance color and flavors.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for this Side Dish
When you prepare ingredients ahead of time, it can help save you time and kitchen space when it comes to making everything for dinner. Everyone love green beans with this spicy sauce.
- Clean and Prep: Clean and prepare your green beans and mince your onion ahead of time. Store in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to use.
- Measure: Measure out the ingredients and have them ready to go.
Pro Tip to Skillet Green Beans
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: If you overcrowd the pan, the beans will steam instead of sauté, resulting in a less flavorful dish. Cook the beans in batches if necessary.
How to Make Spicy Asian Green Beans
This skillet green beans recipe comes together in 3 easy to follow steps. This copycat of pf chang’s spicy green beans recipe is so good, you’ll be adding it to your weekly meal rotation!
These are the basic steps for making Skillet Sweet and Spicy Green Beans. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
1. Cook Onions
Melt butter over medium high heat in a large skillet. Sauté onion for 2-4 minutes until soft and lightly browned.
2. Add Green Beans and Cook the Green Beans
Add the green beans to wok or large skillet, season with All Purpose Seasoning Blend and continue to cook for 3 minutes or until blistered.
3. Make Sauce and Toss and Stir to Coat
Meanwhile, stir together brown sugar, soy sauce and crushed red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Remove beans from heat, add sauce and toss green beans to coat.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftovers
- Storing: Store this perfect side dish in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: Simply reheat the sauteed green beans recipe on medium heat in a skillet.
- Using Leftovers: Enjoy leftovers with Beef and Bean Chili or throw together Green Bean Casserole without Mushroom Soup.
Variations and Substitutions to Make these Spicy Green Beans
This spicy green beans recipe is so versatile! Try taking this simple recipe to the next level by experimenting with flavors, or trying these sweet green beans with different ingredients.
- Sesame Seeds: Sprinkle sesame seeds on top for a nutty crunch with these chinese green beans.
- Sriracha Drizzle: Try this recipe with a drizzle of sriracha for extra heat.
Recipe FAQs and Reader Interactions
Serve with Rice and Beans, Cranberry Sweet and Spicy Meatballs or Sweet and Spicy Chicken Wings.
Substitute honey for the brown sugar! A teaspoon or two of honey or maple syrup are great natural sweeteners.
The best way to prevent mushy beans is to reduce the cook time. Make sure to take them out as soon as they’re crisp.
Expert Tips for Making This Recipe
- Fresh is Best: While frozen green beans are a convenient option, fresh green beans offer the best flavor and texture.
- Quality Spices: Use high-quality chili flakes and other spices to elevate the flavor profile of your dish.
- Heat: Adjust the level of spice to your preference by adding more or less chili flakes or garlic chili paste. To make garlicky chili-garlic green beans, add just the perfect amount of garlic powder.
- Herbs and Spices: Experiment with different herbs and spices, such as fresh garlic, salt and pepper, fresh ginger, green onions or shallots, and sesame oil to create unique flavor combinations.
- Thicken Sauce: If you find that you need to thicken the sauce, use a little bit of cornstarch.
Skillet Sweet and Spicy Green Beans
Video
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Butter
- ½ Medium onion, minced
- 1 pound Fresh green beans, trimmed
- ¾ teaspoon All Purpose Seasoning Blend
- 2 tablespoons Brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon Crushed red pepper
Instructions
- Melt butter over medium high heat in a large skillet.
- Saute onion for 2-4 minutes until soft and lightly browned.
- Add green beans to skillet, season with All Purpose Seasoning Blend and sauté for 3-5 minutes until blistered.
- Meanwhile, stir together brown sugar, soy sauce and crushed red pepper in a small bowl.
- Remove beans from heat, add soy sauce and toss to coat.
Christina’s Notes
- Fresh is Best: While frozen green beans are a convenient option, fresh green beans offer the best flavor and texture.
- Quality Spices: Use high-quality chili flakes and other spices to elevate the flavor profile of your dish.
- Heat: Adjust the level of spice to your preference by adding more or less chili flakes or garlic chili paste. To make garlicky chili-garlic green beans, add just the perfect amount of garlic powder.
- Herbs and Spices: Experiment with different herbs and spices, such as fresh garlic, salt and pepper, fresh ginger, green onions or shallots, and sesame oil to create unique flavor combinations.
- Thicken Sauce: If you find that you need to thicken the sauce, use a little bit of cornstarch.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
So great! Fast and easy. I have made a lot of times now.
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
I love this recipe on the side with any Asian dish. The extra 10 minutes makes this so much better than basic cooked vegetables and I will always eat fresh green beans over canned. Great recipe!
Such a perfect side dish- the green beans come out perfect when you shock them, not overdone. I love the sweet with the little kick of heat.
I love fresh green beans! When I used to live in PA I had loads in my garden and definitely ate the same amount I brought inside as I picked them. This sweet and spicy version sounds like just what the family would love. And definitely on the spicy side! Yum!
We love green beans too and I’m always looking for new ways to prepare them! I can’t wait to try this!
Loved the bit of kick to these, nice addition.
These are such a fun side dish! I get tired of just plain old cooked veggies and am always looking for fun ways to make them more exciting.
It was just yesterday that I was talking to a friend about finding a delicious recipe for green beans! Thank you and I can’t wait to try this!
These beans look so yummy, I could make a meal of just them!
I crave veggies more than anything and am always looking for new ways to prepare them as a side dish for the family. I love everything about this spicy caramelized version and will be trying it soon!
Green beans are my favourite vegetable so I am always looking for more ways to cook them. Thank you!
I see a question from 2013 in regards to your house seasoning. Your reply is that you will post it soon. I have searched your site and cannot find the recipe for the house seasoning. Can you send me the link to where it can be found.
This recipe has been posted. If you search for House Seasoning, it will come up 🙂
Yum this is such a tasty looking recipe, I’d never even though of adding anything to green beans before – thanks for sharing!