Crisp and Spicy Stir-Fried Bean Sprouts
Easy Side Dish Recipe: How to Make Delicious Stir-Fried Bean Sprouts
Tired of the same old steamed bean sprouts? Try this flavorful stir-fried version! With a delightful crisp texture and a perfectly balanced spicy and sweet sauce, these stir-fried bean sprouts are incredibly addictive and a true ‘rice thief’. This recipe is simple, quick, and perfect for a daily side dish or even as a savory snack.
Main Ingredients
- 1 bag bean sprouts (approx. 300g)
- 3 stalks scallions
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- A pinch of ground black pepper
Spicy & Sweet Seasoning (Tbsp measured)
- 1 Tbsp chili powder (gochugaru)
- 0.5 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or soju)
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp chili powder (gochugaru)
- 0.5 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or soju)
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, rinse the bean sprouts thoroughly under cold running water. This helps to remove any dirt or debris. Drain them lightly and set aside.
Step 2
Prepare the scallions. Remove any outer layers that look wilted or bruised, and trim off the ends. Cut them into manageable pieces, about 4-5 cm (1.5-2 inches) in length. If you don’t have scallions, the white parts of green onions also work well.
Step 3
Let’s make the delicious seasoning for your stir-fried bean sprouts! In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of chili powder, 0.5 tablespoon of sugar, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of cooking wine (like mirin or soju), 0.5 tablespoon of minced garlic, and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Stir everything together until well combined and the seasoning is smooth.
Step 4
Heat about 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add all the prepared bean sprouts to the pan. Keep the heat high to help evaporate moisture and maintain the sprouts’ crispness.
Step 5
The key to great stir-fried bean sprouts is to cook them quickly before they release too much water! If you cook them over low heat, they can become soggy. Stir-fry them vigorously over high heat until they are about half wilted (about 1-2 minutes). Then, pour in all the prepared seasoning mixture.
Step 6
Once the seasoning starts to coat the bean sprouts, add a pinch of ground black pepper for extra flavor. You can adjust this to your preference.
Step 7
Finally, add the prepared scallions and continue to stir-fry just until the scallions are wilted and the bean sprouts are tender-crisp, and any raw ‘bean sprout’ smell is gone. Taste and add a little salt if needed, though the soy sauce in the seasoning usually provides enough saltiness. The dish is ready when the sprouts are cooked but still retain some bite.
Step 8
Stir-fry until the bean sprouts and scallions are just wilted. This should take about 3 to 5 minutes in total. Be careful not to overcook, as this will make the bean sprouts mushy and lose their delightful crunch.
