Chinese Recipes

Bean Sprout Salad

This simple cold vegetable salad features crisp blanched string beans tossed with a rich sesame-garlic dressing. The combination of nutty sesame paste, savory soy sauce, tangy vinegar, and fresh garlic creates a refreshing side dish that comes together in minutes. Perfect for summer meals, family dinners, or as part of a Chinese-style cold appetizer spread.

Total
10 minutes
Bean Sprout Salad finished dish
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Quick Recipe Summary

Cuisine
Chinese
Category
Chinese Recipes
Method
Chinese Recipes
Total Time
10 minutes
Difficulty
EASY
Main Ingredient
String Beans

About This Recipe

This simple cold vegetable salad features crisp blanched string beans tossed with a rich sesame-garlic dressing. The combination of nutty sesame paste, savory soy sauce, tangy vinegar, and fresh garlic creates a refreshing side dish that comes together in minutes. Perfect for summer meals, family dinners, or as part of a Chinese-style cold appetizer spread.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Ready in about 10 minutes, so it can fit into a busy cooking day.
  • Beginner-friendly enough for cooks who are still building confidence in the kitchen.
  • Gives the dish a clear salty and fresh flavor profile without making the method feel complicated.
  • Useful as a reference recipe because the steps explain both what to do and what to watch for.

Ingredients

  • 300 grams String Beans
  • 2 tablespoons sesame paste
  • 2 tablespoons sauce soy
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • to taste salt
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar
  • 3 cloves clove garlic

Ingredient Notes

These notes explain the role of the main ingredients so the recipe is easier to adjust.

String Beans

This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.

tablespoons sesame paste

This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.

tablespoons sauce soy

This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.

tablespoon sugar

A small amount of sugar rounds out saltiness and helps create a more balanced finish.

Ingredients & Techniques Used in This Recipe

These guides explain the key sauces, ingredients, and cooking techniques used in this recipe, so you can understand the dish instead of only following steps.

Sauce

Light Soy Sauce

The everyday soy sauce for salt, umami, marinades, and stir-fry seasoning.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Step 1

    Gather and prepare all ingredients.

    Bean Sprout Salad step 1: Gather and prepare all ingredients.

  2. Step 2

    Wash the string beans thoroughly, trim the ends, and cut them into bite-sized lengths.

    Bean Sprout Salad step 2: Wash the string beans thoroughly, trim the ends, and cut them into bite-sized le

  3. Step 3

    Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add a small pinch of salt and blanch the string beans until just tender.

    Bean Sprout Salad step 3: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add a small pinch of salt and blanch the string

  4. Step 4

    Transfer the beans to cold water immediately to stop the cooking process.

    Bean Sprout Salad step 4: Transfer the beans to cold water immediately to stop the cooking process.

  5. Step 5

    Drain well and arrange the cooled string beans on a serving plate.

    Bean Sprout Salad step 5: Drain well and arrange the cooled string beans on a serving plate.

  6. Step 6

    Finely mince the garlic cloves.

    Bean Sprout Salad step 6: Finely mince the garlic cloves.

  7. Step 7

    Combine sesame paste, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, salt, minced garlic, and a little water until smooth. Pour the dressing over the string beans and toss or serve immediately.

    Bean Sprout Salad step 7: Combine sesame paste, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, salt, minced garlic, and a litt

  8. Step 8

    Serve and enjoy.

    Bean Sprout Salad step 8: Serve and enjoy.

  9. Step 9

    Finished dish.

    Bean Sprout Salad step 9: Finished dish.

Cooking Tips

  • Adding a little salt to the blanching water helps maintain the bright green color of the beans. For the best texture, avoid overcooking and cool the beans immediately after blanching.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve it with steamed rice when you want a simple Chinese home-cooked meal.
  • Pair it with one vegetable dish and one soup or tofu dish for a balanced Chinese meal.
  • Use the recipe card below when you want a quick cooking reference after reading the full notes.

Recipe Card

This simple cold vegetable salad features crisp blanched string beans tossed with a rich sesame-garlic dressing. The combination of nutty sesame paste, savory soy sauce, tangy vinegar, and fresh garlic creates a refreshing side dish that comes together in minutes. Perfect for summer meals, family dinners, or as part of a Chinese-style cold appetizer spread.

Ingredients

  • 300 grams String Beans
  • 2 tablespoons sesame paste
  • 2 tablespoons sauce soy
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • to taste salt
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar
  • 3 cloves clove garlic

Method

  1. Gather and prepare all ingredients.
  2. Wash the string beans thoroughly, trim the ends, and cut them into bite-sized lengths.
  3. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add a small pinch of salt and blanch the string beans until just tender.
  4. Transfer the beans to cold water immediately to stop the cooking process.
  5. Drain well and arrange the cooled string beans on a serving plate.
  6. Finely mince the garlic cloves.
  7. Combine sesame paste, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, salt, minced garlic, and a little water until smooth. Pour the dressing over the string beans and toss or serve immediately.
  8. Serve and enjoy.
  9. Finished dish.

More Chinese Recipe Guides

Chinese RecipesEasy Chinese RecipesChinese Home Cooking RecipesChinese Ingredient Guide

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