Learn how to make this green beans with black sesame sauce. This popular Japanese dish called ingen no gomae, is a simple recipe of boiled green beans dressed in a nutty and savory sesame sauce.
If you are looking for an easy side dish to serve with your Japanese-inspired dinner, give this recipe a try! The flavors are what I would call ‘classically Japanese’ – nutty, savory, full of umami, and a little sweet. It’s a recipe that can be served chilled or at room temperature, and it can be made either sweeter or more savory to suit your taste.
This green beans recipe is on the savory side. The honey adds just the right amount of sweetness to offset the saltiness of the miso paste and soy sauce. But if you prefer yours sweeter, feel free to add a little extra honey or granulated sugar!
Table of contents
Green Beans with Sesame Sauce Ingredients
- Green beans: Both green beans and haricot vert, which is the thinner French version of green beans, can be used for this recipe.
- Miso paste: For this recipe we are using white miso paste because its milder and less salty than other types of miso paste. Awase miso paste, which is a mix of white and red miso paste can also be used, but keep in mind that the result will be saltier.
- Soy sauce: A little soy sauce to up the umami level and add depth of flavor.
- Honey: Honey to balance the saltiness and nuttiness of the sauce. It also gives the dish a lovely floral taste.
- Sesame oil: Toasted sesame oil, preferably, for a more intense nutty and earthy taste.
- Ground black sesame seeds: Black sesame seeds have a stronger flavor than white sesame seeds because the hull of the seeds are left intact. They can be ground by hand or purchased ground in most Japanese supermarkets and other Asian grocery stores. If you cannot find black sesame seeds, white ones can also be used.
- Ice cubes: You will need ice cubes to shock the green beans once they have boiled.
How to Make these Green Beans
Scroll down to the recipe card for the full recipe.
- Blanch the green beans. Bring a pot of salted water to boil and add the green beans. Boil for 2 to 3 minutes until they are bright green, a little soft, but still crunchy.
- Shock the green beans. Drain them and add them to a bowl filled with ice cubes and cold water. This will stop the cooking process and preserve the vivid green color of the pods.
- Make the sauce. Mix the miso paste, honey, and soy sauce first, then add the toasted sesame oil. Stir until the mixture is smooth.
- Put the dish together. Place the green beans in a mixing bowl, add the sauce, and toss to combine. Add the ground black sesame seeds and toss to combine. Transfer the dish to a serving bowl and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
Picking the best green beans. Choosing green beans that are in good condition is crucial to the success of the dish. Make sure that they are smooth and firm, and a healthy green color with little to no brown spots.
Dry the beans well before adding the sauce. Take your time patting the green beans dry as this helps the sauce to stick to the pods.
Storage
Transfer the leftovers to a storage container with a lid. It should keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Unfortunately, this green beans recipe doesn’t freeze well so it’s best to enjoy it fresh.
What to Serve Green Beans with Black Sesame Sauce with
This classic Japanese dish can be served as a snack or as a side. It’s a delicious dish to enjoy with a bowl of rice, or it can be paired with other foods such as:
- Egg fried rice
- Baked honey sriracha salmon
- Niratama donburi
- Tofu burger patties
- Korean sticky chicken
- Miso soup
Other delicious green bean recipes you might like to try: Chinese green beans with garlic sauce, green beans almondine, air fryer green beans, sauteed green beans with ginger and garlic, sauteed green beans with fennel and garlic seasoning.
Did you like this recipe? Are there changes you made that you would like to share? Share your tips and recommendations in the comments section below!
Print
Green Beans with Black Sesame Sauce
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 sides
- Category: Side
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Japanese
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple and delicious Japanese dish made of boiled green beans dressed in a nutty and savory sesame sauce.
Ingredients
- 10 ounces green beans or French green beans (haricots verts)
- 2 teaspoons white miso paste or awase miso paste
- 1 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons ground black sesame seeds (using white ground sesame seeds is also okay)
- Ice cubes, to chill the green beans
Instructions
- Prep the water. Fill a medium size pot with water and add 1 tablespoon of salt. Bring to a boil.
half, lengthwise. Put them in a bowl and set aside. - Prep the green beans. Snap the ends of each green bean and slice them in half, lengthwise.
- Blanch the green beans. Add the green beans to the boiling water and boil for 3 minutes, until they are tender but yielding a slight crunch.
- Cool the green beans. Drain the green beans and transfer them to a bowl filled with ice cubes and water. Leave them for 5 minutes.
- Make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk the miso paste, honey, and soy sauce until smooth. Add the sesame oil and whisk one more time.
- Make the dish. Drain the green beans and pat them dry with a paper towel. Transfer them to a bowl and pour the dressing over. Using chopstick or a small spatula, toss the green beans until they are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Add the ground sesame seeds and serve. Add the ground sesame seeds and toss to combine. Serve cold.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 94
- Sugar: 5.4g
- Sodium: 59mg
- Fat: 5.4g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10.5g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
