Japanese Style Sesame Green Beans

Elevate your side dish game with these irresistible Japanese-Style Sesame Green Beans—a flavorful blend of tender-crisp green beans tossed in a nutty, aromatic sesame dressing. Perfectly blanched green beans retain their vibrant color and crunch, while toasted sesame seeds lend a rich, earthy depth that pairs beautifully with the umami notes of soy sauce and the subtle sweetness of mirin and sugar. Finished with a touch of sesame oil, this quick and easy recipe comes together in just 20 minutes, making it an ideal choice for weeknight dinners or elegant gatherings. Serve warm or chilled for a versatile side that complements anything from grilled meats to sushi platters. Easy, healthy, and brimming with Japanese-inspired flavors, this dish is sure to become a staple in your kitchen!

Nutriscore Rating: 80/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams green beans
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon mirin
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Directions

Step 1

Wash and trim the ends of the green beans.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a pinch of salt.

Step 3

Blanch the green beans in the boiling water for 2-3 minutes, until they are tender but still crisp.

Step 4

Drain the green beans and transfer them immediately to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process and retain their vibrant color. Let them sit in the ice water for 1-2 minutes, then drain well.

Step 5

In a small, dry skillet over medium heat, toast the sesame seeds until fragrant and lightly golden, about 2-3 minutes. Stir frequently to avoid burning. Reserve a small portion of the sesame seeds for garnish, if desired.

Step 6

Grind the toasted sesame seeds using a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder, leaving some seeds slightly coarse for texture.

Step 7

In a small bowl, combine the ground sesame seeds with soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sesame oil. Mix well to create the sesame dressing.

Step 8

Place the blanched and drained green beans in a large mixing bowl. Pour the sesame dressing over the beans and toss well to coat evenly.

Step 9

Transfer the dressed green beans to a serving dish and sprinkle with the reserved toasted sesame seeds as a garnish.

Step 10

Serve immediately as a side dish or chilled for later enjoyment.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	465.3 grams (465.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	420

Total Fat 24.90g	32%
Saturated Fat 3.70g	19%
Polyunsaturated Fat 10.50g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1093mg	48%
Total Carbohydrate 43.90g	16%
Dietary Fiber 13.20g	47%
Total Sugars 25.90g
Protein 12.40g	25%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 171mg	13%
Iron 6mg	31%
Potassium 1002mg	21%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 49.9%

Protein: 11.0%

Carbs: 39.1%