These meaty long beans take wonderfully to Asian flavorings such as soy sauce and Sriracha. Look for mirin in the supermarkets international aisle, or substitute marsala wine or dry sherry instead. Recipe by.
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Noodle beans also known as yard long beans or Chinese long beans are a delicious and nutritious vegetable that can be prepared in many ways. Though they may look intimidating with their long, snakelike appearance, cooking noodle beans is easy and worth the effort. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through how to buy, store, prep, and cook noodle beans, along with serving ideas and recipe recommendations.
Noodle beans are a variety of cowpea native to Southern China and Southeast Asia. The beans can grow over 1 foot long, which is how they earned the name “yard long beans.” Other common names for this vegetable include snake beans, pea beans, and asparagus beans.
Despite their name, noodle beans are technically a bean, not a noodle. They have a taste and texture similar to green beans but with a more pronounced bean flavor. When raw, the pods are crunchy and mildly sweet. Once cooked, they become tender with a soft crunch.
Noodle beans are low in calories and high in fiber They also contain vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, and calcium. The beans pair well with Asian flavors like sesame, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic They work nicely in stir fries, curries, soups, and even pickled.
Buying and Storing Noodle Beans
When shopping for noodle beans, look for pods that are evenly shaped without bulges or overly large beans visible inside. The beans should be firm and snap easily when bent. Avoid mushy or dried out looking pods.
Young noodle bean pods less than 1 foot long tend to be more tender while jumbo yard long pods can become tougher and stringier. For the best texture, choose pods around 1/2 inch thick.
Noodle beans are best stored wrapped loosely in plastic in the refrigerator. Keep them dry and use within 3-5 days. The beans can also be blanched and frozen for longer storage.
Prepping Noodle Beans
Give the noodle beans a rinse and trim off any stem ends. Leave the beans whole or cut into shorter segments depending on the recipe. The beans can be cut on an angle for aesthetic appeal.
For tender noodle beans, err on the side of undercooking as they can quickly go from crisp to mushy. The beans cook faster if cut into smaller pieces.
Cooking Methods for Noodle Beans
There are several easy methods for cooking noodle beans:
Boiling: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add noodle beans and cook for 5-8 minutes until crisp-tender. Drain and run under cold water to stop cooking. Season as desired.
Steaming Place noodle beans in a steamer basket Steam for 4-7 minutes until bright green and just tender
Stir-frying: Heat oil in wok or skillet. Add minced garlic and ginger. Then add noodle beans and stir-fry over high heat for 2-3 minutes.
Braising: Braise noodle beans in broth or coconut milk until softened but still crunchy. Works well for curries.
Roasting: Toss cleaned noodle beans with oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through.
Grilling: Toss whole or partial noodle beans in oil. Grill over medium heat for 6-10 minutes, turning occasionally.
Microwaving: Place washed noodle beans in microwave-safe dish with a splash of water. Microwave for 2-3 minutes until tender-crisp.
Sautéing: Sauté chopped noodle beans in oil or butter over medium-high heat for 3-5 minutes.
No matter which cooking method you use, taste the noodles beans as they cook to get them just right. They go from raw to overdone quickly.
Flavor Pairings for Noodle Beans
Noodle beans are extremely versatile. They work in both Asian and non-Asian dishes. Consider these flavor pairings:
- Soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic
- Curry powder, coconut milk, and chili peppers
- Pesto with Parmesan
- Lemon juice, olive oil, parsley, and feta
- Peanut sauce or almond butter sauce
- Bacon, onion, vinegar, and dill
- Tomato sauce and Parmesan
Serving Ideas for Noodle Beans
Beyond side dishes, here are some easy ways to use up your harvest of noodle beans:
- Toss with pasta or rice noodles
- Add to stir-fries, fried rice, and noodle bowls
- Mix into salads and slaws
- Make pickle noodle bean spears
- Use in place of green beans in casseroles
- Skewer for grilling or roasting
- Bake into frittatas and tarts
- Purée into soup as a thickener
- Fold into omelets, quiches, and egg scrambles
Recommended Noodle Bean Recipes
To get you started, here are some tasty noodle bean recipes to try:
- Sesame Noodle Bean Stir-Fry
- Thai Red Curry Noodle Beans
- Noodle Bean Pesto Pasta
- Grilled BBQ Noodle Beans
- Noodle Bean and Shrimp Succotash
- Noodle Bean Frittata
- Chinese Chicken Salad with Noodle Beans
- Noodle Bean Piccata
With their unique taste and texture, noodle beans deserve a place on your plate. They take well to quick cooking methods that keep them tender-crisp. The longest part is just prepping them! Noodle beans pair nicely with both Asian and non-Asian seasonings. Next time you spot them at the market, grab some noodle beans to liven up your weeknight dinners or garden harvest meals.
Nutrition Facts Per Serving: 240 calories; fat 9.6g; saturated fat 0.9g; mono fat 5g; poly fat 8g; protein 19g; carbohydrates 17g; fiber 4g; cholesterol 143mg; iron 2mg; sodium 496mg; calcium 139mg. Advertisement
Got some Chinese Red noodle beans from my local CSA and decided to try them in this recipe. It was delicious! Very easy to make and wonderfully flavorful, even my picky son loved it. I think you could substitute green beans if you cant get the big long noodle beans. Ill definitely make this again! Advertisement.
WHAT YOU’VE ASKED ABOUT – CHINESE NOODLE BEANS
FAQ
What are noodle beans?
How to eat Chinese noodle beans?
How to cook long bean noodles?
How are you supposed to cook canned beans?
How to cook Chinese noodle beans?
A simple side dish of Chinese noodle beans with sautéed onions and pepper. To being, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add in the whole noodle beans and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until they are just tender. Drain the beans and immediately put them in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Again drain the beans.
What is the best way to eat beans?
The best way to eat beans is to first cook them in a large pot of water, about 4 cups of water to every 1 cup of beans. Adding lemon grass or other herbs to the water can improve the flavor. Once beans are cooked the best thing to do is combine them with cooked rice, this is because beans are low in methionine and rice is low in lysine, so combining them makes a more complete protein.
How to cook bean thread noodles?
You can find them in their different shapes in dried form at supermarkets. Generally, you have to soak bean thread noodles in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes before you cook them. You then drain the noodles and use according to a recipe.
What to do with red noodle beans?
Remove the beans and use them on their own. Try a traditional sausage and kale soup with your red noodle beans instead of kidney or white beans. Soups are the perfect time to use dried beans as well. Just like with soups and stews, red noodle beans can be used in several different ways in salads.