Green beans are always good, and with a little Asian spice, they’re even better! These Asian green beans are a little different twist on beans that my family loves.
We love these Asian green beans because they’re…
- Saucy
- Oniony
- Full of flavor
- Fresh
- Wholesome
- Perfect side dish
- Delicious
A full list of ingredients, measurements, instructions, and a print button can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
How to caramelize onions
Many people believe you have to use olive oil to caramelize onions, but veggie broth does just as good of a job and tastes every bit as good.
Caramelizing the onions adds a delicious savory flavor to this green bean recipe, and it’s so easy to do for this recipe or others.

In a large pot, add approximately half a cup of veggie broth and thinly sliced onion.
Saute for a few minutes until browned and caramelizing.
As this cooks, add a little more veggie broth, scrape any of the caramelized brown parts and mix into broth.
Next, add green beans and 3/4 cup veggie broth and cook on medium-high heat for approximately 15 minutes covered, until slightly tender, but still somewhat firm.
Add Asian Sauce with arrowroot powder and lower heat. It will thicken quickly. Cook another 5 minutes and serve. Your family is going to love this new twist on green beans!
Asian sauce for this recipe
About 30 years ago, a Japanese friend taught me how to whip this sauce up for a lot of the dishes he prepared. He mostly used it as a dipping sauce, but I have found so many more uses for it over the years.
It takes about 5-minutes to prepare and is so versatile!
To thicken, simply add arrowroot powder and simmer for just a minute.
Nutrition in green beans
A 125-gram or 1-cup serving of green beans, cooked, provides 44 calories, 2.5 grams of protein, 10 grams of carbohydrates, zero grams of fat, 4 grams of dietary fiber and 1.25 milligrams of sodium.
This vegetable is rich in many vitamins and minerals, including vitamins C and K, folate, potassium and manganese, according to the website NutritionValue.

In addition, they are a food source of several carotenoids, which is a form of vitamin A found in fruits and vegetables that act as antioxidants. Carotenoids in green beans include beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin.–LiveStrong
Other great bean recipes

Asian Green Beans
Green beans are always good, and with a little Asian spice they're even better! This is a little different twist on green beans that my family loves.
Ingredients
Asian Green Beans
- 1 lb. of fresh green beans, with ends clipped off
- 1 small onion
- 2 cloves of garlic
- sea salt to taste
- garlic powder to taste
- veggie broth for cooking
- Asian Sauce, recipe below
Asian Sauce
- ¼ cup tamari or soy sauce, if necessary, make sure gluten-free
- ¼ cup water
- lemon juice, 1-1/2 Tbsp or juice from 1/2 lemon
- ½ Tbsp sweetener, sugar, sucanat, maple syrup, agave, etc.
- 1 tsp. minced garlic, I use kind from jar
- arrowroot powder or corn starch to thicken
Instructions
- Slice onion and garlic.
- In a large pot, add approximately 1/2 cup of veggie broth and thinly sliced onion. Saute for a few minutes until browned and caramelizing. As this cooks, add a little more veggie broth, scrape any of the caramelized brown parts and mix into broth.
- Now, add minced garlic and saute another 5 minutes.
- Next, add green beans and 3/4 cup veggie broth and cook on medium-high heat for approximately 15 minutes covered, until slightly tender, but still somewhat firm. Be careful not to overcook.
- Add Asian Sauce with arrowroot powder and lower heat. It will thicken quickly. Cook another 5 minutes and serve.
Asian Sauce
- Whisk all ingredients in a bowl.
Notes
Detailed instructions, in-process photos, and my personal helpful tips can be found in the article above.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4Amount Per Serving: Calories: 73Total Fat: .2gSaturated Fat: 0gCarbohydrates: 13.2gFiber: 4.4gProtein: 4.3g
To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
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Sue
Friday 2nd of October 2020
Made this evening I added one teaspoon of Chinese five spice also. Perfect Friday evening dinner :-)
Terri Edwards
Saturday 3rd of October 2020
Hi Sue- So glad you liked it, and the Chinese five spice sounds like a great add.
Alexandra
Tuesday 1st of September 2020
We liked it, and will repeat it.
Terri Edwards
Wednesday 2nd of September 2020
Hi Alexandra- So glad to hear that!
JanIce Allen
Monday 10th of April 2017
This looks appetizing.
Linda
Monday 10th of April 2017
Yum.. I use date paste for sweeetner.
EatPlant-Based.com
Monday 9th of May 2016
Easy cut, paste, and print version.
Ingredients:
1 lb. of fresh green beans, with ends clipped off 1 small onion 2 cloves of garlic sea salt to taste garlic powder to taste veggie broth for cooking Asian Sauce (recipe below) In large pot, add approximately 1/2 cup of veggie broth and thinly sliced onion. Sauté for a few minutes until browned and caramelizing. Add a little more veggie broth, scrape any of the caramelized brown part and mix into broth. Add minced garlic and sauté another 5 minutes. Add green beans and 3/4 cup veggie broth and cook on medium high heat for approximately 15 minutes covered, until slightly tender, but still somewhat firm. Careful not to overcook. Add Asian Sauce with arrowroot powder and lower heat. It will thicken quickly. Cook another 5 minutes and serve.
Asian Sauce: • ¼ cup tamari or soy sauce (if necessary, make sure gluten-free) • ¼ cup water • lemon juice (1-1/2 Tbsp or juice from 1/2 lemon) • ½ Tbsp sweetener (sugar,sucanat, maple syrup, agave, etc.)
• 1 tsp. minced garlic, I use kind from jar • arrowroot powder or corn starch to thicken
Whisk all ingredients in bowl.
Paula
Wednesday 5th of April 2017
Sounds fantastic!