Sesame Garlic Green Beans tossed in soy sauce and sesame oil, then roasted with sliced garlic. A 10-minute side for busy weeknights or Thanksgiving!

Side dishes are honestly the hardest part of dinner at my house. I would happily eat roasted asparagus almost every night, while my guys would rather fill up on cheddar bay biscuits or anything else bread-related. These Sesame Garlic Green Beans are one of the few vegetables we all actually agree on. Fresh green beans get tossed in soy sauce and toasted sesame oil, roasted with thin slices of garlic until they pick up a little char, and finished with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

 

I grow green beans in my garden every summer, and I grew up eating them steamed with butter and salt. Roasting them is a whole different thing. They stay crisp-tender, the soy sauce gets a little caramelized, and the garlic turns golden and sweet. The best part is that the whole thing takes about 10 minutes, which makes it perfect for busy weeknights and an easy addition to the Thanksgiving table when you need one more side that doesn’t take any effort.

Ingredient Notes

• Green Beans – fresh green beans with the ends trimmed. Try to pick beans that are similar in thickness so they cook evenly. Frozen green beans work too (see Variations).
• Soy Sauce – regular or low sodium both work. Use tamari or coconut aminos to make it gluten-free.
• Sesame Oil – use toasted sesame oil. It’s darker in color and has the rich, nutty flavor that makes this recipe.
• Garlic – thinly sliced fresh garlic cloves. Slices hold up better under the broiler than minced garlic, which burns quickly.
• Sesame Seeds – white, black, or a mix. Toasted sesame seeds add even more flavor.

How To Make Sesame Garlic Green Beans

• Preheat the broiler. Turn your broiler to high and let it heat up while you prep the green beans.
• Coat the green beans. In a mixing bowl, stir together the sesame oil and soy sauce. Add the trimmed green beans and toss until they are well coated.
• Add the garlic. Spread the green beans in an even layer on a baking sheet, then mix in the sliced garlic.
• Broil. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the green beans are crisp-tender with a little char on the edges.
• Finish and serve. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and serve immediately.

Recipe Tips

• Watch the broiler closely. Every broiler runs a little differently. Set the rack about 6 inches from the heat and check the green beans at the halfway stir.
• Thick beans need more time. If your green beans are on the thicker side, the soy sauce can start to burn before they’re tender. Use the oven roasted method in Variations instead, since the lower, steadier heat gives thicker beans time to soften.
• Don’t crowd the pan. Spread the green beans in a single layer so they roast instead of steam. Use two baking sheets if you double the recipe.
• Dry the beans well. Pat washed green beans dry before tossing them in the sauce so the coating sticks and they get that light char.
• Slice the garlic thin and even. Even slices cook at the same rate, so you get golden garlic instead of a few burnt pieces.
• Line the pan. Foil makes cleanup easy since the soy sauce can get sticky on the pan.

Variations

• Oven Roasted – roast at 425°F for 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender with browned spots. This is my go-to when the green beans are thicker.
• Air Fryer – toss the green beans in the sauce as directed and cook at 375°F for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Add the garlic for the last few minutes so it doesn’t burn.
• Frozen Green Beans – no need to thaw. Toss the frozen green beans in the sauce, spread them on the pan, and give them a few extra minutes to cook through.
• Add Some Heat – sprinkle in a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic.
• Sweet and Savory – stir a drizzle of honey into the soy sauce mixture for a little sweetness that caramelizes on the beans.
• Gluten-Free – swap the soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos.

What to Serve with Sesame Garlic Green Beans

These green beans go with just about everything. They’re great alongside grilled chicken like Cilantro Lime Chicken, or with burgers like these Jalapeno Bacon Burgers. The sesame and soy flavor also makes them a natural fit with takeout-style dinners like Orange Chicken or Kung Pao Chicken Meatballs. For Thanksgiving, they add something fresh and green next to all the heavier casseroles.

• Smoked Baby Back Ribs
• Meatloaf
• Baked Cod
• Poor Man’s Burnt Ends
• Pan Seared Salmon
• Honey Dijon Chicken

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover green beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat them in the oven or in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, which keeps them crisper than the microwave. Add a fresh sprinkle of sesame seeds after reheating if you like them extra crunchy.

More Easy Side Dish Recipes

• Southwest Corn Salad
• Caprese Pasta Salad
• Fruit Skewers
• Baked Beans
• Lemon Herb Potato Salad