These simple roasted garlic sesame green beans are the best-tasting side dish that goes well with all kinds of food. These garlic sesame green beans are pan-seared and oven-roasted to perfection. Crunchy with an excellent nutty and garlicky flavor balances with lemon juice for a perfect taste. You make this healthy, fresh-tasting side dish in 15 minutes.

This is my all-time favorite side dish recipe. And I can eat it every single day. It is that good. My family loves this recipe just as much as I do.
This side dish is inspired by the Asian/Chinese stir-fried green beans recipe.
This savory oven-roasted garlic sesame green beans recipe has a great flavor combination. It has salty, hot, crispy, buttery, nutty, and garlicky flavors with a tang of fresh lemon juice—all delicious food factors to excite old and young for the meal.
These easy oven-roasted garlic sesame green beans are an excellent recipe for various diets: paleo, whole30, gluten-free, low-carb, keto-friendly, vegan, and vegetarian.
Make them ahead and serve them with your favorite main dishes. I served them with my easy salmon patties recipe.
So make this recipe all year round, especially during spring and summer with an abundance of green beans.
Jump to:
- What is a garlic sesame green beans recipe?
- Can I use frozen green beans?
- What ingredients do you need to make this perfect side dish?
- How to make sesame garlic green beans (Step by Step)
- Tips for the perfect side dish
- Substitutes
- Equipment
- How to store and reheat leftover green beans
- What to serve with sesame-roasted green beans
- How pan fry green beans
- How to oven-roast green beans
- Healthy benefits of green beans
- Usages of green beans
- FAQs
- Recipe
- Tips for the perfect side dish
- Substitutes
- Equipment
- How to store and reheat leftover green beans
- What to serve with sesame-roasted green beans
What is a garlic sesame green beans recipe?
It is a super easy and quick-to-make vegan dish that is a perfect nutritious side dish for any meal. This savory dish is made with fresh green beans and flavored with the fresh aroma of garlic and the nutty flavor of sesame seeds. It has a soft and tender interior and a crunchy and delicious exterior.
Can I use frozen green beans?
Yes. Although fresh green beans always result in the best flavor and texture, you certainly can use frozen green beans. You do not need to thaw it beforehand. Make sure to have a pretty hot skillet (preferably a cast iron skillet) ready to add the frozen green beans right into it while stirring it over medium-high heat to get the nice initial saute brown marks. Then, transfer it to a preheated oven and bake it to the desired consistency. Taste-test as you go.
What ingredients do you need to make this perfect side dish?
- Green beans. I used fresh green beans. Any type of fresh or frozen green beans works. You may use canned beans. Yellow beans work just as well as green beans. You may even use a mixture of both yellow and green beans. I used trimmed green beans and used them whole. You may chop them small if you wish.
- Garlic. I recommend using fresh garlic. It adds lots of flavor to the dish.
- Sesame seeds. For garnish and flavor. It adds a nice nutty flavor to the dish. You may use sesame oil instead. You can sure find sesame seeds or oil in the Asian section of your market.
- Salt & pepper to taste. You may use any other spices such as ginger you like.
- Oil. I used avocado oil.
- Fresh lemon juice as needed. Must add an ingredient.
How to make sesame garlic green beans (Step by Step)
Preheat the oven to 400 °F.
Next, prepare the green beans by washing and drying the fresh green beans and removing the stems.
Heat a cast-iron skillet well on medium-high heat and add oil.
Next, add green beans to the hot skillet (you will hear an excellent sizzling sound), sprinkle some salt and pepper, and let the green beans sear.
Stir occasionally and add oil as needed when the skillet looks dry.
When the green beans are slightly browned, add the sliced garlic and sesame seeds.
Continue sautéing until sesame seeds are slightly golden and garlic is sauteed. This gives the dish a nutty and smoky flavor.
Place the skillet uncovered into the oven and bake for 10 minutes or until tender and still has a crunch.
Serve it with lemon juice, and ENJOY!
Tips for the perfect side dish
- Roast them on a cast-iron skillet for a perfect result.
- Let the skillet heat well; you will hear a nice sizzling sound.
- Use a high smoke point oil (avocado oil or butter) since we are roasting them on high heat.
- Add some seeds or chopped nuts; they complement the dish nicely.
- Cut them small if you wish. But make sure to adjust for the roasting time in the oven. They will roast faster.
- Serve them as a great healthy veggie snack.
- Make a double batch of them and store them in the fridge for later. They are just as delicious when chilled. So no need to heat them if you like!
- Check out the sections below for substitutes, various types of cooking, and more.
- The exact instructions can be used for frozen green beans; no need to thaw them first.
- This recipe is the basic for roasting any vegetables, so feel free to use any other vegetables you have on hand.
Substitutes
- Substitute fresh green beans with other fresh or frozen vegetables. For example, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, zucchini, cabbage, carrots, eggplant, or peppers. Or add on more veggies such as tomatoes, peas, kale, or spinach right before finishing the cooking time.
- Use onion, shallots, chives, or garlic and onion powder instead of fresh garlic.
- Substitute sesame seeds with finely chopped nuts such as walnuts, pecans, cashews, peanuts, or other nuts you like. Suppose you are allergic to nuts; substitute sesame seeds with sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, or flax seeds. These will add a yummy nutty flavor to the dish.
- Add a dash of your favorite spices and herbs; chili, cumin, parsley, thyme, and basil. Or make it spicy using a hot red pepper flake or hot sauce.
- Use an oil with a high heat point, such as avocado oil, butter, ghee, or coconut oil.
- Substitute lemon juice with lime juice, orange juice, or vinegar.
- Or use a tablespoon of soy sauce or yogurt instead.
Equipment
I used this 10-inch cast-iron skillet (affiliate link). Everything tastes extra delicious when cooked in cast-iron cookware.
How to store and reheat leftover green beans
Store these roasted garlic sesame green beans in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Whenever ready to serve them, let them heat up slowly on a stovetop or microwave them for a few seconds.
You can freeze them in a container for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the fridge the night before and warm them as usual.
What to serve with sesame-roasted green beans
- Serve them with oven-roasted or grilled salmon fillet(my favorite), steak, or chicken.
- They go well with casserole, stews, or other skillet main dishes.
- Serve them with hard-boiled eggs or scramble eggs for breakfast.
- Add them to other side dishes such as lentils, or other legumes, rice, quinoa, salads, soups, roasted vegetables, potatoes, or pasta.
- Check out my dinner recipes for more ideas.
- I served them as a side dish for dinner with my popular crispy moist Easy old fashioned salmon patties.
How pan fry green beans
Frozen vegetables take longer to sear, but the basic rules for any type of fresh or frozen vegetable are the same.
Instead of roasting the green beans in the oven, pan-roast them on the stovetop. Works for both fresh or frozen green beans.
- Turn the stovetop to medium-high heat and let the skillet heat up well. Use a cast-iron skillet as possible.
- Add to it an oil of choice. Preferably a high smoke point oil.
- Then, pan-sear green beans until you see the searing dark mark on them.
- Add seasons of choice. Some toasted seeds or chopped nuts are great too!
- Next, lower the heat and cover the pan loosely with a lid so that steam can escape.
- Let it cook through, but it is still crispy outside.
- The cooking time depends on the shape of the skillet you use and the amount of green beans.
- Serve them with a splash of lemon or lime juice!
The exact instructions hold through for pan-roasting any other vegetables.
How to oven-roast green beans
Frozen vegetables take longer to sear, but the basic rules for any type of fresh or frozen vegetable are the same.
The secrets to the best-tasting oven-roasted crispy fresh or frozen green beans are:
- A well-heated cast-iron skillet on a medium-high flame to pan-sear green beans fast. So they would not be soggy.
- Season them with butter or avocado oil, salt, pepper, fresh garlic, and seeds/nuts for a smoky and nutty flavor.
- When you see the initial sear mark, transfer them uncovered into a preheated oven at 400 °F to finish cooking. So roasting them uncovered at high heat prevent them from becoming soggy or dry.
- Let them bake through, but it is still crispy outside.
- The baking time depends on the shape of the skillet you use and the amount of green beans.
- Serve them with a splash of lemon or lime juice!
The exact instructions hold through for oven-roasting any other vegetables.
Healthy benefits of green beans
Green beans are excellent sources of folate, vitamins K, C, and A. They are an excellent source of fiber. They are beneficial for heart and bone health. And they are packed with antioxidants. Read more about the benefits of green beans.
Usages of green beans
- The easiest way to cook green beans is on the stovetop. Season and let them steam cook in a pot with little water until soft but still hold their shape. Use them as a side dish. Or pop them covered into the oven and let them cook until soft.
- Roast them with other vegetables such as potatoes, mushrooms, cauliflower, zucchini, onion, peppers, brussels sprout, broccoli, or butternut squash. Cut them into the same size so that they roast at the same time.
- Oven broil them or grill them outside.
- Mix them in your favorite rice or potato side dishes.
- Toss them into salads, pasta, or skillet dishes.
- Add them to your favorite soup recipes for extra loads of vegetables.
- Mix them into main dishes with beef, chicken, or fish. For example, casserole, meatloaf, or stews.
- Add them to an omelet with eggs.
- Mash and add them to your favorite patty recipes.
- Melt some cheese over them and serve them as a side dish.
- Make a simple chopped roasted green beans salad with yogurt dressing.
- Or use them in my ultimate easy delicious breakfast recipes:
I hope you get to make this incredibly delicious and easy and quick side dish. You are going to love it. It goes with all kinds of main dishes. Satisfaction is guaranteed.
Please let me know how you did it. I love to hear from you!
Please rate. comment, and share this recipe on Pinterest. Thank you!
FAQs
You do not need to blanch the green beans. Make sure to give enough time to the green beans to cook while sauteing them over medium-high heat. So they are not too tough or firm. Taste-test them for the desired consistency. This way green beans stay nice and crunchy outside and soft and delicious inside.
Garlic, onion, sesame seeds, and herbs such as basil, parsley, and thyme go so well with green beans.
You can always taste-test the green beans for doneness or desired consistency. They need to be tender inside ad crispy outside.
Most often you can find them in the spice and baking sections of your supermarket. Otherwise, look for the Asian section of your market.
It has delicious garlic and sesame seeds flavors to it. It has a nice crunch outside and a tender interior.
Green beans tend to be tough when there are undercooked. Make sure to use a well-heated skillet and preheated oven to achieve tender and crispy green beans. Also, you can always taste a couple of green beans to ensure their doneness before turning off the oven.
Find more simple, delicious nutritious side dish recipes:
- Easy sourdough discard naans
- Easy sourdough discard flatbread
- Biscuits without milk
- Vegan veggies farfalle pasta in olive oil
Recipe
Garlic sesame green beans
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh green beans
- 4 cloves of fresh garlic
- Sesame seeds for garnish
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Oil as needed. I used avocado oil.
- Fresh lemon juice as needed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 °F.
- Next, wash and dry the fresh green beans and remove the stems.
- Heat a cast-iron skillet well on a medium-high flame and add oil.
- Next, add the green beans to the hot skillet (you will hear a nice sizzling sound), sprinkle some salt and pepper, and let the green beans sear.
- Stir occasionally and add oil as needed when the skillet looks dry.
- When the green beans are slightly brown, add the sliced garlic and sesame seeds.
- Continue sautéing until sesame seeds are slightly golden and garlic is brown. This gives the dish a nutty and smoky flavor.
- Place the skillet uncovered into the oven and cook for 10 minutes or until tender and still crunchy.
- Serve it with fresh lemon juice, and ENJOY!
Your Private Notes
Notes
Tips for the perfect side dish
- Roast them on a cast-iron skillet for a perfect result.
- Let the skillet heat well; you will hear a nice sizzling sound.
- Use a high smoke point oil (avocado oil or butter) since we are roasting them on high heat.
- Add some seeds or chopped nuts; they complement the dish nicely.
- Cut them small if you wish. But make sure to adjust for the roasting time in the oven. They will roast faster.
- Serve them as a great healthy veggie snack.
- Make a double batch of them and store them in the fridge for later. They are just as delicious when chilled. So no need to heat them if you like!
- Check out the sections below for substitutes, various types of cooking, and more.
- The exact instructions can be used for frozen green beans; no need to thaw them first.
- This recipe is the basic for roasting any vegetables, so feel free to use any other vegetables you have on hand.
Substitutes
- Substitute fresh green beans with other fresh or frozen vegetables. For example, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, zucchini, cabbage, carrots, eggplant, or peppers. Or add on more veggies such as tomatoes, peas, kale, or spinach right before finishing the cooking time.
- Use onion, shallots, chives, or garlic and onion powder instead of fresh garlic.
- Substitute sesame seeds with finely chopped nuts such as walnuts, pecans, cashews, peanuts, or other nuts you like. Suppose you are allergic to nuts; substitute sesame seeds with sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, or flax seeds. These will add a yummy nutty flavor to the dish.
- Add a dash of your favorite spices and herbs; chili, cumin, parsley, thyme, and basil. Or make it spicy using a hot red pepper flake or hot sauce.
- Use an oil with a high heat point, such as avocado oil, butter, ghee, or coconut oil.
- Substitute lemon juice with lime juice, orange juice, or vinegar.
- Or use a tablespoon of soy sauce or yogurt instead.
Equipment
I used this 10-inch cast-iron skillet (affiliate link). Everything tastes extra delicious when cooked in cast-iron cookware.How to store and reheat leftover green beans
Store these roasted garlic sesame green beans in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Whenever ready to serve them, let them heat up slowly on a stovetop or microwave them for a few seconds. You can freeze them in a container for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the fridge the night before and warm them as usual.What to serve with sesame-roasted green beans
- Serve them with oven-roasted or grilled salmon fillet(my favorite), steak, or chicken.
- They go well with casserole, stews, or other skillet main dishes.
- Serve them with hard-boiled eggs or scramble eggs for breakfast.
- Add them to other side dishes such as lentils, or other legumes, rice, quinoa, salads, soups, roasted vegetables, potatoes, or pasta.
- Check out my dinner recipes for more ideas.
- I served them as a side dish for dinner with my popular crispy moist Easy old fashioned salmon patties.
Nutrition
Note: The provided nutrition information is an estimate for the entire recipe, the calorie accuracy nutritional facts, unit and portion conversion are calculated by a third party app. and are not guaranteed.
Carol
Great flavor and texture! I am glad I tried this recipe with sesame and garlic. New delicious flavor on roasted green beans. I am going to try it with asparagus!
Thanks
Deliciousnutritiousfood
I promise it will be just as delicious with asparagus! Thank you!
Carol
Great flavor and texture
Debbie
This is such a great recipe! Adding garlic and sesame seeds adds lots of flavor to the dish. Thanks for sharing
Deliciousnutritiousfood
Thank you so much!
Rose
I used some dry thyme and rosemary. It turned out yummy! Great recipe
Baran
Great tips and recipe
Anna
Great recipe
Nura
Loved the smoky flavor
Bob
Delicious side dish, I served it with grilled salmon
James
Thank you for the great recipe
Anna
Awesome Green beans side recipe
Angel
My favorite green beans recipe, love it