This Easy Miso Sesame Bean Salad is tasty and full of life! Packed with fresh beans and a creamy miso dressing, it’s a colorful dish that brightens any meal.
With the crunch from the beans and the rich, nutty flavor of sesame, you’ll be coming back for seconds. I love how simple it is—just mix, toss, and enjoy in no time!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Green Beans: Fresh green beans are perfect for this recipe, but you can use snap peas or asparagus if needed. Just make sure they are cooked until tender-crisp for the best texture.
Edamame: These add a great protein boost! If you can’t find edamame, try using frozen peas or any other cooked beans like black beans for a different twist.
Miso Paste: White miso offers a mild and sweet flavor. If you can’t find it, yellow miso can be a good alternative, but it will have a stronger taste.
Sesame Oil: For added flavor, toasted sesame oil is my favorite. If you want a lighter option, swap in olive oil, but you’ll miss some of that nutty goodness.
Chickpeas: If you’re looking to cut carbs, feel free to leave these out or substitute with quinoa for a grainy texture.
How to Blanch Green Beans Perfectly?
Blanching is a simple technique that helps keep your green beans vibrant and tender-crisp. Here’s how to do it:
- Boil water in a pot and prepare an ice bath (cold water with ice) in a bowl.
- Add the trimmed green beans to the boiling water for 2-3 minutes.
- Use a slotted spoon to transfer them directly into the ice bath. This stops the cooking process and locks in that beautiful green color.
- After a couple of minutes, drain the beans and they’re ready to use in your salad!
This method works great and makes your beans ready while keeping them crunchy. I always keep a bag of edamame in my freezer too—a quick protein boost for any dish!
How to Make Easy Miso Sesame Bean Salad with Rich Flavor
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Salad:
- 1 cup green beans, trimmed and blanched
- 1 cup edamame beans, shelled and cooked
- 1 cup cooked chickpeas (optional for extra protein)
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, thinly sliced
For the Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons white miso paste
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
For Topping:
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- 2 scallions, sliced (for garnish)
- Salt and pepper to taste
How Much Time Will You Need?
This salad is quick and easy! You’ll need about 10 minutes of prep time, plus around 10 minutes of cooking for blanching the beans. Total time: around 20 minutes. Perfect for a healthy, flavorful side dish!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Blanching the Green Beans:
Start by bringing a pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add the trimmed green beans and cook for about 2-3 minutes until they’re bright green and tender-crisp. Quickly drain them and plunge them into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. After a couple of minutes, drain again and set aside.
2. Mixing the Salad Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the blanched green beans, cooked edamame, chickpeas (if you’re using them), and the sliced red bell pepper. This colorful mix is going to be the base of your salad!
3. Whisking Up the Dressing:
In a small bowl, whisk together the white miso paste, sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey or maple syrup, minced garlic, and freshly grated ginger. Keep whisking until the dressing is smooth and well combined. This will add a rich flavor to your salad!
4. Combining Everything:
Pour the dressing over the bean mixture in the big bowl and gently toss everything together until all the ingredients are well coated. You want that delicious dressing on every bite!
5. Finishing Touches:
Sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds over the mixed salad and give it a light toss. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste. It’s all about making it perfect for you!
6. Serve and Enjoy:
Top with sliced scallions for a fresh finish before serving. You can serve this salad cold or at room temperature, making it a refreshing side dish or light meal. Enjoy your delicious Easy Miso Sesame Bean Salad!
Can I Use Frozen Beans for This Salad?
Absolutely! Frozen edamame or green beans work well. Just make sure to cook them according to the package instructions and cool them down before adding to your salad.
What Can I Substitute for Miso Paste?
If you don’t have miso paste on hand, you can use tahini or almond butter mixed with a splash of soy sauce as a substitute. Keep in mind that the flavor will be different but still delicious!
How Long Can I Store Leftovers?
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just give it a good toss before serving to redistribute the dressing.
Can This Salad Be Made Vegan?
Yes! This salad is already vegan-friendly as it uses maple syrup instead of honey. Enjoy worry-free if you’re following a plant-based diet!
