Skillet of stir-fried Szechuan green beans and shiitake mushrooms.

Stir-Fried Szechuan Green Beans & Shiitake Mushrooms

You’ll be amazed at how authentic these Szechuan-style green beans taste—plus, they’re so easy to make.

Servings: 4 as a side dish

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 1½ tablespoons dry sherry
  • ½ teaspoon Asian/toasted sesame oil
  • 1¼ teaspoons sugar
  • ½ teaspoon cornstarch
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ¼ teaspoon dry mustard
  • Vegetable oil
  • 1 pound green beans, ends trimmed
  • 7 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger (see note)

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, whisk the soy sauce, water, dry sherry, sesame oil, sugar, cornstarch, red pepper flakes and mustard together. Set aside.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over high heat until very hot and shimmering. Add the beans and cook, stirring frequently, until tender, puckered and browned, about 7-10 minutes (cooking time will depend on the size of the beans). Transfer beans to large plate.
  3. Add 1 teaspoon oil to pan. Add shiitake mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes until slightly browned. Reduce heat to medium, then add the garlic and ginger and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 20 seconds. Return the beans to the pan and add the sauce. Toss and cook until the sauce is slightly thickened and the vegetables are evenly coated, about 10 seconds. Transfer to serving dish and serve immediately.
  4. Note: This recipe works best with thinner green beans (but not the super thin French haricots verts). If your beans seem really long, thick or a bit tough, cut them in half so they cook evenly (there may be just a few in the bunch that you need to cut). Also, be sure beans are dry, otherwise oil will splatter.
  5. Note: Check out easy guidance on how to peel, grate, and chop fresh ginger here.

Nutrition Information

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  • Per serving (4 servings)
  • Calories: 156
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Fiber: 5 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Sodium: 672 mg
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

Gluten-Free Adaptable Note

To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.