Crispy and Delicious Seasoned Bean Sprouts: An Easy and Quick Recipe for Bibimbap & Side Dishes
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Introducing the ‘Seasoned Bean Sprouts’ recipe that satisfies both health and taste! Bean sprouts are a fantastic ingredient, low in calories yet rich in minerals, dietary fiber, and Vitamin C. Their crisp texture and high water content make them a refreshing side dish, perfect for replenishing hydration and vitamins, especially during hot weather. Similar to soybean sprouts but with a softer, crispier bite, many people prefer bean sprouts. What’s more, this recipe is incredibly simple to make, allowing even novice cooks to whip up a delicious vegetable dish in no time. While you can enhance it with shredded crab sticks or shredded carrots and cucumbers, today’s recipe focuses on bringing out the pure, fresh flavor of the bean sprouts with minimal preparation. It’s an excellent everyday side dish, a perfect ingredient for bibimbap, and an indispensable part of holiday feasts. Let’s learn how to make this delicious and non-spicy seasoned bean sprout dish with a savory flavor that even children will love, step by step!
Ingredients- 250g Fresh Mung Bean Sprouts
- 0.5 Tbsp Coarse Salt (for blanching)
- 1 Tbsp Tuna Extract (for umami)
- 2 Tbsp Minced Scallions or Green Onions
- 0.5 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s start with the first step for delicious seasoned bean sprouts! First, rinse the bean sprouts thoroughly. When I was preparing for a Korean cooking certification, I had to meticulously trim the root ends of the bean sprouts, which I found quite tedious. However, for home cooking, simply rinsing them under running water is sufficient to make a tasty dish. Of course, if you prefer a neater presentation, you can trim the root hairs, but it’s entirely optional. Finely chop the scallions or green onions you’ll be mixing in.
Step 2
Now it’s time to blanch the bean sprouts. In a pot, add enough water to cover the bean sprouts and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling vigorously, add half a tablespoon of coarse salt and then add the bean sprouts. Adding salt helps maintain the crispness of the bean sprouts.
Step 3
Be careful not to over-blanch the bean sprouts, as they can become mushy and lose their crisp texture. After the water starts boiling, blanch for no more than 2 minutes. This is the golden timeframe to ensure maximum crispness! Blanch with the lid off, and gently stir or flip them once or twice during cooking to ensure they are evenly blanched.
Step 4
After blanching, immediately rinse the bean sprouts under cold running water to cool them down quickly and stop the cooking process. Bean sprouts contain a lot of water, so if you don’t drain them well, excess water can accumulate when mixed with seasonings. Therefore, after rinsing, it’s crucial to gather the bean sprouts in your hands and squeeze them firmly to remove as much water as possible. This step ensures the seasoning adheres well to the sprouts without becoming watery.
Step 5
Place the squeezed bean sprouts into a mixing bowl. After squeezing out the water, they’ve reduced to about a handful. Now, we’ll season these sprouts with a flavorful dressing.
Step 6
Gently fluff the clumped bean sprouts with chopsticks. Loosening them up like this ensures that the seasoning will be distributed evenly, making them taste even better.
Step 7
Now it’s time to add the seasoning ingredients that will bring out the flavor. Add 1 tablespoon of tuna extract, 2 tablespoons of minced scallions, 0.5 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, and 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds over the bean sprouts.
Step 8
Gently mix all the seasoning ingredients with the bean sprouts using chopsticks or a spatula, rather than your hands, until well combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning; if it’s not salty enough for your preference, you can add a small amount of salt. And voilà! Your delicious seasoned bean sprout side dish is complete without any complex seasonings. Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for a delightful finish that the whole family will love. For those who enjoy variations, we highly recommend adding other ingredients like shredded crab sticks, thinly sliced cucumbers, carrots, or bell peppers for a more colorful and flavorful dish!
