PF Chang's Spicy Green Beans
If you enjoy green beans or dining at PF Chang's, you may enjoy my copycat version of PF Chang's Spicy Green Beans. It's an easy vegetarian recipe with big flavor. A happy mistake led me to this delicious green bean recipe!
When we go to PF Chang's the kids always order Crispy Green Beans, so typically, when seated, we ordered them right off the bat. Green beans did come out from the kitchen, however, they were not the crispy coated green beans we expected. Instead, out came Spicy Green Beans.
The kiddos immediately gave the plate the sink eye (as did I, not going to lie), lol. So our waiter said to just keep them and that he would bring the kids out the Crispy' Green Beans right away.
Let me tell you! THAT was such a deeeelicious mistake! Boy were those Spicy Asian Green Beans good. I wondered how in the world they could have escaped my food-radar all this time. 'Cause...ya know, I have been to PF Chang's quite-a-bit over the years.
I love Asian flavors, so making green beans with Asian sauce is something I go crazy for now!
I had to replicate those green beans, so I did.
The spicy green beans were delicious...exactly the taste and texture we wanted. I don't have a wok (I used to back in the day) but they came out perfect!
These Spicy Green Beans are easy to make and would compliment a host of proteins or good enough to be eaten on their own. If you want to take your beans and kick them up a notch...try them!
Spicy Green Beans Recipe Ingredients
- soy sauce (I like low sodium soy sauce for cooking)
- rice wine vinegar
- sugar (or honey) more or less to taste
- cornstarch
- 2 TBS sesame oil
- green beans
- red pepper flakes
- garlic cloves
- water
Tips
- If you are making a couple of pounds of green beans, simply double or triple the above ingredients for the sauce so you have plenty.
- Same goes for if you want to serve the green beans over rice. Make extra sauce for the rice.
- Cook the beans to the level you enjoy. Crisp tender or more wilted, either way is delicious!
Variations
- If you enjoy green beans (or need them to disguise as I do) Check out these Harissa Green Beans I made for a site I recipe develop for - They were different & scrumptious!
- Another way I enjoy green beans is by making these super simple Cajun Green Beans. Easy and low cal! You can use Cajun or Blackening Seasoning. Char them as much or as little as you wish.
- Or you can go with the tried and true Skillet Green Beans, which in my opinion have so much flavor and go with eveything!
I also make Steamed Green Beans with Bacon Jam....I mean why not?
If you enjoy Asian flavors, try these Grilled Chicken Wings Asian Style.
Let me know if you try out any of these easy green bean recipes!
Enjoy! XO - Colleen
Since I am not a registered dietitian, nutritional data is provided by a WordPress plugin nutritional calculator. Recipe originally published in September, 2015. Updated January, 2023 with nutritional information and text.
Spicy Green Beans (PF Changs)
Ingredients
- 2 TBS soy sauce I like low sodium for cooking
- 1 TBS rice wine vinegar
- 1 ½ teaspoons sugar or honey
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 12-16 ounces green beans
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 TBS sesame oil
- 3 TBS water (more as needed)
Instructions
- Mix together the soy sauce, vinegar, sugar and cornstarch. Set aside.
- Prep your green beans by snipping off any ends that need it.
- In your large skillet (or wok if you have one), heat your oil on medium heat for about 30 seconds, add in your garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
- Add in your green beans and cook until either crisp tender or more wilted, whichever is your preference. Depending on the size of your green beans 3-5 minutes. Add Tablespoons of water as needed to help steam/cook the green beans and prevent garlic from burning.
- Once beans are done to your liking, pour in your soy sauce mixture. coat with sauce and continue to cook for another 30-60 seconds or until sauce thickens..
- Serve & enjoy!
These look so great! Way better than PF Chang's.
I love their green beans! So excited I can make them at home now! These look delicious!
These look fantastic! We don't have a PF Changs nearby so I am definitely going to have to make these at home!
I'd much prefer these over the crispy light green beans. But don't get me wrong, I'd eat those too.
Meeee too!! I love them also, a PF Changs family fav!
I replicated it based off of what I had at our PF Changs and thought they tasted similar. Hopefully even if you didn't think they tasted similar enough to what you have had, you enjoyed them. I make them often for guests and they are always a hit. Next I need to make the Crunchy Greed Beans, mmmm!
I think the water is if you're boiling the green beans first to get them softer. Then you drain the water and add the sauce.
Heading to the store, and saw these Spicy Green Beans, and KNEW I had to get the ingredients. I'm a BIG fan of spicy, so I'm definitely making them!
Awesome, enjoy!
I have a similar recipe but I've never used cornstarch. Such a great idea to thicken the sauce. Because - sauce - it's everything!
The perfect amount of kick in these green beans. I love the flavor and could eat these all day.
I’ve never had these at PF Chang’s before but happy I can try them myself at home now. Looks like a recipe that might not make it to the table, lol.
Haha! Seriously!
Yum! I've never eaten at PF Changs, but I would eat these beans any time! A recipe you can make allyear long!
I love PF Chang and I tried may dish here but I haven't tried this one yet. I will definitely try this recipe because sometimes I want to try new ways to cook green beans.
Oh how I wish we had PF Chang's in Canada - it sounds sooo good! And thank you so much for this so I can actually try making it at home myself.
I do love green beans but they can get a little boring at times - this simple sauce sounds like it will really brighten them up!
A favorite! Hope you try!
I made these tonight and they were completely delicious. I had no fresh garlic so sub’d in toasted garlic chips (2 tsp) and added 1 tsp of white sesame seeds to toast with the red pepper flakes and garlic. My choice of beans is whole haricot verts. Thanks for this permanent addition to my home cooking!
That's wonderful Deborah! SO happy to hear it. Haricot verts are a delicious substitution!
These were so yummy. The only thing I did different is sub monkfruit for the sugar. So good with the skinny French beans that I am going to try it with other veggies.
Great to hear Judy!!
I have a whole bag of frozen green beans can I use frozen??
I have never tried using frozen. I would say that them out, gently blot dry and go for it.
Delicious and easy! Thanks!
Awesome!
Awesome recipe,
look so deliciousThank you .
Can't wait to try!
So delicious and flavorful!! Highly recommend 🙌
Thanks Anna!!
I have been searching for a good Chinese green bean recipe for years.
Thank you.
Cant wait to try more of your suggestions.
Awesome Jack!!! Glad you enjoyed & I hope you find a few more favs!!