Green Beans with Cumin and Black Bean Sauce

A simple, yet flavorful recipe for green beans, Green Beans with Cumin and Black Bean Sauce has a umami, salty, peppery, and mildly sweet taste. Using an air fryer, the green beans are perfectly cooked, while also slightly dehydrated, giving that deep-fried, restaurant-style flair.

   

Serves: 3
Prep Time: 5 minutes – Cooking Time: 17 minutes minutes – Total Time: 22 minutes

Helpful equipment

• Air fryer with basket

Ingredients

• 12 oz. green beans
• Oil
• 2 tsp fermented black beans
• 3/8 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp soy sauce
• 2 tsp oyster sauce
• 1/4 tsp sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Pinch of white pepper or to taste
• 1/2 tbsp. water

Instructions

Step 1

Toss the green beans with oil, ensuring they are evenly coated. Spread them in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry at 400°F (204°C) for 12 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Once done, set the green beans aside.

Step 2

Rinse the fermented black beans thoroughly in water, drain, and finely mince them. 

Step 3

Prepare the sauce by combining cumin, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, white pepper, and water in a small bowl. Mix until well blended.

Step 4

Heat a teaspoon of oil in a pan over medium or medium-low heat. Add the garlic and cook until it becomes fragrant and sizzles. Stir in the minced black beans and fry briefly.

 

Step 5

Pour the prepared sauce into the same pan, stirring to combine. Add the green beans and toss them thoroughly in the sauce. Once coated, remove from heat, serve, and enjoy!

Notes

• You can substitute 1–2 teaspoons of any Black Bean Garlic Sauce (used in our Zhajiangmian or Fried Sauce Noodles) for the fermented black beans if desired -- keeping the remaining ingredients the same.
• Green beans can also be prepared using other methods, such as blanching, sautéing, microwaving, or steaming. These alternative methods are detailed in our blog post, "5 Ways to Cook Green Beans".