Dry-Fried Green Beans (Gan Bian Si Ji Dou)
Local name: 干煸四季豆
In short: Green beans blistered in hot oil until wrinkled, then tossed with crisp ground pork, chilies, Sichuan pepper and pickled mustard greens. It takes about 30 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 165 kcal
Gan bian si ji dou is a Sichuan favorite built on dry-frying: the beans cook in hot oil until their skins wrinkle and the insides turn sweet and tender. A little minced pork and pickled mustard greens add salty depth, while dried chilies and Sichuan pepper bring aroma. It is good warm or at room temperature, and a simple way to turn a plain bag of beans into the side dish everyone asks about.
Instructions
- Wash the beans and dry them very thoroughly with a towel. Wet beans will make the hot oil spit.
- Heat 3 tablespoons of the oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add the beans and fry, stirring often, for 5 to 7 minutes until the skins wrinkle and blister with brown spots. Lift out with a slotted spoon.
- Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of oil, or add the last tablespoon if the wok is dry. Fry the pork over high heat for 2 to 3 minutes, pressing it so it browns and crisps.
- Add the preserved greens, chilies and Sichuan peppercorns and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the garlic and ginger for 15 seconds.
- Return the beans to the wok. Splash in the soy sauce and wine, add the sugar and toss over high heat for 1 minute until the beans are glossy and no liquid remains. Serve warm.
Tips
- For a vegetarian version, leave out the pork and use a few chopped shiitake mushrooms or an extra spoonful of preserved greens for savory depth.
- Cut all the beans to the same length so they blister evenly. Do not crowd the wok, and fry in two batches if yours is small.
Questions and answers
Why are the beans fried before stir-frying?
Frying in hot oil drives off moisture and wrinkles the skin, which gives a concentrated, slightly chewy texture. Beans that are only stir-fried stay watery and squeaky.
Can I roast or air-fry the beans instead?
Yes. Toss them with 1 tablespoon of oil and roast at 220°C (425°F) for 15 minutes, or air-fry for 8 minutes, until blistered. Then finish them in the wok with the pork and seasonings.
Are dry-fried green beans served hot or cold?
Warm is best, but they also taste good at room temperature, which makes them a handy dish for packed lunches.
How long does it take to make Dry-Fried Green Beans (Gan Bian Si Ji Dou)?
About 30 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Dry-Fried Green Beans (Gan Bian Si Ji Dou)?
About 165 kcal per serving, with 7 g of protein, 10 g of carbohydrates and 11 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 165 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 10 g |
| Fat | 11 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 560 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
