Prepare to revolutionize your side dish game with this mouthwatering Sweet N Sour Green Beans recipe that transforms ordinary vegetables into a culinary sensation! Imagine crisp, vibrant green beans bathed in a perfect balance of sweet and tangy sauce that will have your dinner guests begging for seconds. This simple yet spectacular dish combines the freshness of perfectly blanched green beans with a zingy vinegar-sugar glaze that elevates your meal from ordinary to extraordinary.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans, trimmed
- 1/2 cup vinegar
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup onion, chopped
- 1/4 cup bell pepper, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash and thoroughly trim the green beans, removing any tough ends and ensuring they are clean and uniform in size.
- Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil. Add a pinch of salt to the water to enhance flavor.
- Carefully add the trimmed green beans to the boiling water and blanch for approximately 3-4 minutes until they become bright green and slightly tender but still crisp.
- Immediately drain the green beans and transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process and preserve their vibrant color and crisp texture.
- In a separate saucepan, combine vinegar and sugar, heating over medium heat while stirring constantly until the sugar completely dissolves.
- Dice the onions and bell peppers into small, uniform pieces to ensure even distribution of flavor.
- Add the chopped onions and bell peppers to the vinegar-sugar mixture, allowing them to soften and release their flavors for about 2-3 minutes.
- Drain the cooled green beans and pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Pour the sweet and sour sauce over the green beans, gently tossing to ensure complete and even coating.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the seasoning as needed.
- Allow the green beans to marinate in the sauce for 10-15 minutes at room temperature to absorb the flavors.
- Serve the Sweet N Sour Green Beans as a delightful side dish, either warm or at room temperature.
Tips
- Blanching is Key: The secret to perfectly crisp green beans is quick blanching. Don't overcook - aim for that bright green color and slight crunch.
- Ice Bath Magic: Immediately shocking the beans in ice water after blanching preserves their vibrant color and prevents overcooking.
- Sauce Consistency Matters: Stir the vinegar and sugar constantly to create a smooth, well-integrated sauce that coats the beans evenly.
- Vegetable Prep Tip: Chop onions and bell peppers into uniform, small pieces to ensure even flavor distribution.
- Marination Moment: Let the beans sit in the sauce for 10-15 minutes to allow maximum flavor absorption.
- Serve Flexibility: These green beans are delicious served warm or at room temperature, making them perfect for meal prep and potlucks.
- Customize Your Flavor: Feel free to adjust the sweet and sour ratio to suit your personal taste preferences.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 90kcal
Carbohydrates: 22g
Protein: 2g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
