This bean sprout stir fry is quick, healthy, and tastes like home-cooked Chinese food. It only takes minutes to make and can be used for vegetarian or gluten-free meals.
If you made fried noodles with bean sprouts and had a lot of them left over, this bean sprout stir fry is the perfect way to use them up.
Bean sprout stir fry is a traditional dish you’ll see in Chinese households on the Mainland. And while it might not look that exciting, it tastes better than it looks. Try some of my other Chinese recipes and add this side dish to finish it off. It tastes great and is good for you.
To make the bean sprout stir fry, all you need is bean sprouts, sauce, and chopped aromatics.
Did I say that this bean sprout stir fry only takes a few minutes? That means that even on the busiest night of the week, you can have a tasty and healthy Chinese side dish. All you need to do is:
In my previous post I talked about how to set up a stir fry station in great detail. Also, if you’ve been following my recipes, you know that I like to use a nonstick skillet to cook a lot of popular Chinese takeout food. However, this dish should ideally be cooked in a wok or the heaviest pan you have.
Bean sprouts contain a lot of moisture. You should sear them over high heat for as little time as possible so they keep their crunch but don’t taste raw. Using a wok over high heat also gives the dish a smokey flavor that makes the vegetables taste even better.
If you don’t have a wok or other heavy pan, cooking the bean sprouts one at a time is best. Drag the slider in the recipe card to halve the recipe in this case.
I love to serve my bean sprout stir fry on the side of just about any main dish. Scooping up the sprouts with a bite of rice together makes it all the more tasty!.
Bean sprouts are great for your health too. Plus, they have a lot of minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium, as well as a lot of vitamins A, B, D, E, and K. Vitamin C is important for good health. These bean sprouts are also high in fiber, so if you want to eat something healthy and tasty tonight that will help you stick to your health goals, make this bean sprout stir fry.
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Bean sprouts are a versatile and nutritious ingredient that can be incorporated into a variety of dishes Their crunchy texture and fresh flavor make them a great addition to meals. But what exactly can you eat bean sprouts with? Here are 10 delicious recipe ideas to give you some inspiration.
1. Stir-Fries
Stir-frying is one of the most popular ways to enjoy bean sprouts. The high heat helps maintain their crunchy texture while allowing them to soak up the flavors of aromatics like garlic, ginger and soy sauce. Bean sprouts pair well with proteins like beef, chicken, shrimp or tofu. Try combining them with veggies like onions, carrots, broccoli and bell peppers for a tasty and healthy stir-fry.
2. Noodle Dishes
The crisp texture of bean sprouts makes them an excellent addition to noodle bowls and dishes like pad thai They add a nice crunch that complements the soft noodles. Bean sprouts are commonly used in noodle soups like pho and laksa as well Simply add them on top as a garnish. Their fresh flavor and crunch uplift the entire dish.
3. Sandwiches & Burgers
Looking to add some crunch to your sandwiches and burgers? Bean sprouts are a quick and easy way to do just that. Add them to your favorite burger along with other toppings like lettuce tomato and onion. You can also include them in sandwiches and subs for extra texture. The sprouts help make the sandwich more filling too.
4. Salads
Bean sprouts are right at home in salads, where their crunchy and fresh qualities really shine. They make a nice addition to green salads, grain bowls and slaws. Try using bean sprouts in place of croutons on your next salad for added nutrition. You can also toss them into pasta salads, quinoa bowls and more. Their texture and taste give salads an extra boost.
5. Soups
Adding bean sprouts to soups is an easy way to bulk them up and boost nutrition. They work well in Vietnamese pho, Chinese wonton soup and Korean tofu soup among many others. Simply add them to the hot broth right before serving so they retain their crispness. You can also purée bean sprouts with broth for a creamy, velvety texture.
6. Spring Rolls
The fresh flavors of bean sprouts make them a perfect filling for spring rolls, egg rolls and summer rolls. They add crunch and nutrients to the wraps, balancing out soft ingredients like rice noodles and herbs. Bean sprouts are commonly combined with pork, shrimp or tofu in spring rolls for an appetizing crunch in every bite.
7. Omelets
Looking for a fast, easy way to start your day? Add bean sprouts to your morning omelet. Their texture pairs nicely with fluffy eggs, and they cook quickly. Simply sauté the sprouts with your omelet filling of choice, then fold them into the eggs before serving. Onions, tomatoes, cheese and ham all make tasty partners for bean sprouts.
8. Fried Rice
Fried rice is vastly improved with the addition of crunchy bean sprouts. They add great texture and bulk to the dish. Try stir-frying them with peas, carrots, onions and your protein of choice, then toss everything with hot cooked rice. The bean sprouts retain their crispness and absorb all the delicious flavors.
9. Chow Mein
This classic Chinese stir-fried noodle dish is even better with bean sprouts. They add crunch and freshness to contrast the soft noodles. Sauté them with other veggies like cabbage, onion and celery. Then mix in noodles and sauce for an easy, tasty meal. Bean sprouts are a customary addition to vegetable or shrimp chow mein.
10. Curries
Bean sprouts can be used to add texture and nutrition to curries as well. Their crispy crunch balances out the rich, creamy curry sauce. Simply stir them in towards the end of cooking so they don’t get too soft. Bean sprouts go well in Thai curries, Indian curries and Asian-inspired peanut sauces. Get creative and add them to your favorite curry recipe.
With their versatility, nutrition and texture, bean sprouts are a great ingredient to always keep on hand. Use these recipe ideas to enjoy bean sprouts in many delicious and simple meals any day of the week. Their crunchy freshness takes dishes to the next level.
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Bean Sprout Stir Fry
- 1 lb (450 g) bean sprouts
- 2 tablespoons peanut oil
- 4 cloves garlic , finely chopped
- 2 green onions , sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar (or sugar)
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon dark soy sauce (Optional)
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- Get rid of the stringy roots and any beans that are still on the bean sprouts. Thoroughly rinse them with cold water and squeeze out any extra water. Then set them aside to dry. Press the bean sprouts dry with paper towels if they are still very wet when you are ready to cook them.
- In a bowl, mix all the sauce ingredients together and set it aside.
- Heat the oil over medium-high heat until hot. Add the garlic. Fry until the garlic begins to brown.
- Add the green onions. Stir a few times to release the fragrance.
- Turn up the heat and add the bean sprouts. Cook, tossing occasionally, for 1 minute.
- After you add the sauce, cook for another two to three minutes, or until the bean sprouts are done but still crunchy. Try the bean sprouts and add more salt if you think they need it.
- Transfer everything to a big plate. Serve hot as a side dish.
If you give this recipe a try, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it (once you’ve tried it), and take a picture and tag it @omnivorescookbook on Instagram! I’d love to see what you come up with.
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FAQ
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