If you enjoy green beans or dining at PF Chang's, you may enjoy my 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!
For me, the first time I ate at PF Chang's, it was love at first bite!
I was instantly smitten with their Crispy Honey Shrimp, Mongolian Beef, and the Crispy Green Beans (OMG!!) However, a surprise hit for me turned out to be their Spicy Green Beans (which, funny enough, came to the table by mistake).
One day over the summer, my family went to PF Chang's for lunch. The kids always order their 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!
A few weeks later, my husband & I were on a Saturday morning date and we popped by the Wrightstown Farmers Market, which occurs every Saturday morning and a woman was there selling nothing but green beans.
Big-fat-delicious-looking green beans in small baskets. I knew what I had to do...I had to replicate those green beans, so I did. I'd call that a sign, lol!
They 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!
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
Tip
If you are making a couple of pounds of green beans, simply double or triple the above ingredients for the sauce.
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?
This Bacon Jam recipe is so good it's ridiculous! I give it as host/hostess and food gifts during the holidays. I put it on eggs, veggies, burgers, eggs, cheese and more! AND I eat it right off the spoon, I can't help myself!
Let me know if you try out any of the green bean recipes!
Enjoy!
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
- water (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!
Carolyn says
These look so great! Way better than PF Chang's.
Martha @ A Family Feast says
I love their green beans! So excited I can make them at home now! These look delicious!
Marjory @ Dinner-Mom says
These look fantastic! We don't have a PF Changs nearby so I am definitely going to have to make these at home!
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
I'd much prefer these over the crispy light green beans. But don't get me wrong, I'd eat those too.
Colleen says
Meeee too!! I love them also, a PF Changs family fav!
Colleen says
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!
Matt says
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.
Sue Ringsdorf says
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!
Colleen says
Awesome, enjoy!
Laura says
I have a similar recipe but I've never used cornstarch. Such a great idea to thicken the sauce. Because - sauce - it's everything!
Eileen Kelly says
The perfect amount of kick in these green beans. I love the flavor and could eat these all day.
Ariella says
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.
Colleen says
Haha! Seriously!
Anne Lawton says
Yum! I've never eaten at PF Changs, but I would eat these beans any time! A recipe you can make allyear long!
Carlos at Spoonabilities says
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.
Terri says
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.
Caroline says
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!
Colleen says
A favorite! Hope you try!
Deborah Preston says
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!
Colleen says
That's wonderful Deborah! SO happy to hear it. Haricot verts are a delicious substitution!
Judy says
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.
Colleen says
Great to hear Judy!!
Jody says
I have a whole bag of frozen green beans can I use frozen??
Colleen says
I have never tried using frozen. I would say that them out, gently blot dry and go for it.
Terri Gallagher says
Delicious and easy! Thanks!
Colleen says
Awesome!