Sichuan Dry-Fried Green Beans
Cuisine: Chinese Type: Entree AKA: Gānbànjǐdòu

Representative image. Recipe yield may differ
Amounts
Ingredient
Amount (g)
Green Beans
1 pound (453.592)
Vegetable Oil
2 tablespoon (28.3495)
Garlic
2 cloves (6)
Ginger
1 teaspoon (5)
Sichuan Peppercorns
1 teaspoon (2)
Dried Red Chili Peppers
3 pieces (9)
Soy Sauce
2 tablespoon (28.3495)
Rice Wine
1 tablespoon (14.1748)
Sugar
1 teaspoon (4.2)
Salt
1 teaspoon (5.69)
Totals
20 oz
(556 g)
Calories
Ingredient
Calories (kcal)
Green Beans
100
Vegetable Oil
120
Garlic
10
Ginger
5
Sichuan Peppercorns
5
Chili Flakes
5
Soy Sauce
15
Sugar
10
Salt
5
Totals
275 kcal
Steps
1. Wash and trim the ends of the green beans. Pat them dry with a kitchen towel.
2. Heat a wok or large frying pan over high heat. Add oil and swirl it around to coat the surface.
3. Once the oil is hot, add the green beans to the pan. Stir-fry them for about 5 minutes or until they start to blister and turn slightly brown.
4. Push the green beans to one side of the pan and add minced garlic and ginger to the other side. Stir-fry them for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Mix the garlic and ginger with the green beans and add Sichuan peppercorns. Stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes.
6. In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar. Pour the sauce mixture over the green beans and toss everything together.
7. Continue stir-frying for an additional 2-3 minutes until the green beans are tender-crisp and well-coated with the sauce.
8. Remove from heat and transfer the green beans to a serving dish.
9. Garnish with chopped green onions or cilantro if desired.
10. Serve the Sichuan Dry-Fried Green Beans hot as a side dish or with steamed rice as a main course. Enjoy!
Substitutions
Substitutions/Alterations for Sichuan Dry-Fried Green Beans (Gānbànjǐdòu):
1. Green Beans:
- Substitute with French beans or snap peas.
- Adjust cooking time as needed, as these substitutes may cook faster or slower than green beans.
2. Sichuan Peppercorns:
- Substitute with black peppercorns or crushed red pepper flakes.
- Use the same quantity as mentioned in the recipe.
3. Garlic:
- Substitute with garlic powder or granulated garlic.
- Use half the quantity mentioned for fresh garlic.
4. Fresh Ginger:
- Substitute with ground ginger or ginger paste.
- Use half the quantity mentioned for fresh ginger.
5. Ground Pork:
- Substitute with ground chicken, ground turkey, or tofu crumbles.
- Adjust cooking time as needed, as these substitutes may cook faster or slower than ground pork.
6. Soy Sauce:
- Substitute with tamari sauce or liquid aminos.
- Use the same quantity as mentioned in the recipe.
7. Shaoxing Wine:
- Substitute with dry sherry or rice wine vinegar.
- Use the same quantity as mentioned in the recipe.
8. Sugar:
- Substitute with honey or maple syrup.
- Use the same quantity as mentioned in the recipe.
9. Vegetable Oil:
- Substitute with canola oil or peanut oil.
- Use the same quantity as mentioned in the recipe.
10. Red Chili Peppers:
- Substitute with dried chili flakes or cayenne pepper.
- Adjust quantity based on personal spice preference.
Remember to adjust cooking times and methods as needed when substituting ingredients to ensure the desired texture and flavor are achieved.
Pairings
- Kung Pao Chicken
- Mapo Tofu
- Dan Dan Noodles
- Hot and Sour Soup
- General Tso's Chicken
- Gong Bao Shrimp
- Ma La Xiang Guo (Spicy Numbing Stir-Fry)
- Sichuan Boiled Fish
- Shui Zhu Yu (Water-Boiled Fish)
- Sichuan Hot Pot
Upgrades
1. Improve presentation:
- Garnish the dish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for added visual appeal.
- Serve the green beans in a stylish Chinese ceramic dish to enhance the presentation.
2. Improve texture/flavor profile:
- Add a handful of chopped garlic and ginger to the stir-frying process for an extra layer of flavor.
- Incorporate a small amount of Sichuan peppercorns to give the dish a subtle numbing and tingling sensation.
3. Elevate with luxurious/premium ingredients:
- Substitute regular vegetable oil with fragrant sesame oil for a richer taste.
- Enhance the dish with a touch of truffle oil or truffle salt to add a luxurious and earthy aroma.
Diet Restrictions
- Use a non-stick cooking spray or a small amount of vegetable broth instead of oil to reduce the overall fat content.
- Substitute regular green beans with low-sodium or no-salt-added green beans to reduce sodium intake.
- Replace soy sauce with a low-sodium soy sauce or tamari to reduce sodium content.
- For gluten-free diets, use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce instead of regular soy sauce.
- Add a variety of colorful vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or mushrooms to increase the nutritional value and add more flavor.
- To reduce the spiciness, decrease the amount of chili flakes or omit them altogether.
- For those with nut allergies, omit peanuts or replace them with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds for added crunch.
- Use a sugar substitute or reduce the amount of sugar to make it suitable for people with diabetes or those watching their sugar intake.
- If following a vegan diet, ensure that the ingredients used, such as sauces or seasonings, are free from animal products or animal-derived ingredients.
Healthy Choices
1. Use less oil: Reduce the amount of oil used for frying the green beans to cut down on calories and unhealthy fats.
2. Opt for a healthier oil: Use a healthier cooking oil, such as olive oil or avocado oil, instead of traditional vegetable oil.
3. Add more vegetables: Increase the nutritional value by including additional vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or mushrooms.
4. Minimize sodium: Use low-sodium soy sauce or tamari to reduce the overall sodium content of the dish.
5. Choose lean protein: Add lean protein sources like tofu, tempeh, or grilled chicken instead of fatty meats like pork belly.
6. Increase spice, reduce salt: Enhance flavor with more spices like Sichuan peppercorns, chili flakes, or garlic, reducing the need for excess salt.
7. Steam or blanch the beans: Instead of deep-frying, lightly steam or blanch the green beans before stir-frying to retain more nutrients.
8. Add nuts or seeds: Sprinkle toasted almonds, sesame seeds, or peanuts on top for added crunch and healthy fats.
9. Use less sugar: Reduce the amount of sugar or substitute with healthier alternatives like honey or maple syrup.
10. Serve with whole grains: Accompany the dish with brown rice or quinoa to increase fiber content and make it a more balanced meal.
Shortcuts
1. Use frozen green beans instead of fresh ones to save time on cleaning and trimming.
2. Skip blanching the green beans and directly stir-fry them to save time and energy.
3. Opt for vegetable oil instead of expensive sesame oil for a more economical choice.
4. Replace Sichuan peppercorns with black peppercorns to maintain a similar flavor profile at a lower cost.
5. Use garlic powder or pre-minced garlic instead of fresh garlic cloves to save time on peeling and chopping.
6. Substitute dried red chili flakes for fresh red chilies to eliminate the need for deseeding and chopping.
7. Add a small amount of soy sauce to enhance the flavor without the need for additional seasonings.
8. Use a non-stick pan or wok to reduce the amount of oil needed for frying.
9. Consider using a pre-made Sichuan sauce or stir-fry sauce instead of making it from scratch to save time and effort.
10. Serve the dish with steamed rice or noodles to make it more filling and cost-effective.