This page requires that scripting be enabled in your browser to function properly. If you need help enabling scripting, please vist our
technical FAQ page.

READY IN 20 mins

Dad's Pan-Fried Green Beans

Read Reviews (245)

"Once upon a time, Dad received a similar recipe with a bundle of fresh green beans. He made the recipe once and then lost the card. After many attempts to recreate that flavor, he declares that this, his own recipe, is even better!" — Pam and Corey

Ingredients Edit and Save

Watch video tips and tricks

Beans with Pearl Onions

Grandma's Green Bean Casserole

How to Make Green Bean Casserole

Green Bean Almondine with Garlic & Blue Cheese

Spinach with Garbanzo Beans

Campbell's Original Green Bean Casserole

Indian Green Beans (Guferati)

All about Green Beans

Pan-Fried Asparagus

Sugar and Sweeteners

Types of Cooking Oil

Garlic: Fresh Vs. Powdered

Original recipe makes 6 servings Change Servings

1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
3 tablespoons light soy sauce
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon white sugar
2 tablespoons sesame oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic

Check All Add to Shopping List

Directions

Place the green beans in a large saucepan or pot with one inch of water. You may place them in a steamer insert if you have one. Bring to a boil, cover and cook for 5 minutes, they should still be firm and bright green.
In a small bowl, stir together the soy sauce, balsamic vinegar and sugar; set aside.
Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until starting to brown. Add the green beans and stir to coat with the oil. Stir in the soy sauce mixture and simmer for a couple of minutes uncovered to reduce the sauce. Transfer the beans to a serving dish and pour the sauce over them.

Kitchen-Friendly View

PREP 10 mins
COOK 10 mins
READY IN 20 mins

ADVERTISE WITH US

Reviews More Reviews

Most Helpful Positive Review

Oct 20, 2006

Awesome! Just perfect. I don't bother with the vinegar because it's not necessary. I don't use one pound of GB's either--just a few handfuls. Run them under water, pinch off the ends and forget boiling them 1st. It's NOT necessary. I add extra fresh crushed garlic to the pan and saute everything (covered) on a med-flame for 10-15 minutes so it's tender and flavorful! YUM!

—OPHELIAGRACE

See full review »

Most Helpful Critical Review

Jun 20, 2007

This was good, but I only used one TBS of sesame oil and it was still a little overpowering! I used equal amounts low-sodium soy sauce and balsamic, and added a half tsp red pepper flakes and a bit of arrowroot to thicken the sauce. Good beans!

—Jewel

See full review »

338 Ratings

See other versions of this recipe!

Nov 07, 2006

I use a similar cooking method . I use olive oil instead of sesame , skip the sugar ,use the garlic , sprinkle on teriyaki sauce instead of soy, add a sprinkle of sesame seeds , then add in the stirfried beef or chicken strips Ive prepared in advance & serve it all on a bed of rice . This recipe was a result of my first ever attempt at stirfry (Im from a long line of traditional country cooks) & my kids love it m ,

—KAIBRYN

See full review »

Dec 03, 2006

Yum, these were good. Even two of my kids who never touch green beans had some. Frozen beans work fine. I cut the oil in half, and used just 2 T. of soy sauce. More would be overwhelming. Thanks for a keeper.

—Basg

See full review »

Jul 30, 2006

this is an awesome recipe, a big hit in my house. I sauteed my beans in olive oil and garlic instead of boiling, but I did everything else the same. Ive also used this recipe to make asparagas, just as good!

—Jeanie P

See full review »

Jul 30, 2007

awesome! the soy/basalmic combo was really good. used 4 cloves of fresh garlic and evoo instead of sesame oil. i will make these VERY often...even my picky fiancee LOVED them

—Melissa O.

See full review »

May 05, 2006

as Rachel Ray would say: YUMMO! I didn't have sesame oil though so I used olive oil and added 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds and was happy they worked out. Great recipe! thanks!

—S. Green

See full review »

Nov 04, 2006

This was good but not our favorite. I find that adding the garlic at the middle of the cooking time helps the garlic maintain a better garlic taste.

—Wilemon

See full review »

Rate This Recipe

Edit

Glad you liked it! Your friends will, too:

Did you tweak the recipe? Edit and save your own version of it!

Edit this recipe

More Recipes Like This See all

Spicy Green Beans

Easy Garden Green Beans

Fried Green Beans

Savory Green Beans

Quick Sesame Green Beans

Quick Zesty Green Beans

'Chinese Buffet' Green Beans

Buttery Garlic Green Beans

Green Beans with Herb Dressing

Sweet and Spicy Green Beans

ADVERTISE WITH US

Nutrition

Calories
73 kcal
4%

Carbohydrates
7.5 g
2%

Cholesterol
0 mg
0%

Fat
4.6 g
7%

Fiber
2.7 g
11%

Protein
1.9 g
4%

Sodium
271 mg
11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional Information

Dad's Pan-Fried Green Beans

Serving Size: 1/6 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 6
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 73
Calories from Fat: 42

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 4.6g 7 %
** Saturated Fat 0.7g 3 %
Cholesterol 0mg 0 %
Sodium 271mg 11 %
Potassium 178mg 5 %
Total Carbohydrates 7.5g 2 %
Dietary Fiber 2.7g 11 %
Protein 1.9g 4 %
Sugars 2.3g
Vitamin A 10 %
Vitamin C 21 %
Calcium 4 %
Iron 10 %
** Thiamin 7 %
** Niacin 9 %
** Vitamin B6 5 %
** Magnesium 8 %
** Folate 16 %

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.