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Love yourself some edamame? You need to check out this fantastic Asian inspired Garlic Edamame recipe. It’s a yummy upgrade from sprinkling sea salt on steamed edamame, because when garlic and soy sauce are lightly coated on those nutritious little things, your life will change for the better.
Also, quickest, easiest recipe ever! 10 minutes from start to finish. NOW WE ARE TALKING.
If you like easy Asian style vegetable dishes, be sure to also check out my Sautéed Garlic Brussels Sprouts and Carrots and Shrimp and Snow Pea Stir Fry recipes.
Table of Contents
What is Edamame
Edamames are young soybean harvested before they are fully grown. They are tiny beans in pods, popular in Asian cuisine. Rich in protein, fiber, vitamin A and Vitamin C, they are also loaded with lots of nutritional benefits.
Why Garlic Edamame
I have been wanting to post a soy-based edamame recipe in forever, because it is easy to make and incredibly yummy.
Then last week I had this super yummy garlic edamame appetizer from a Japanese restaurant, and I was instantly inspired and motivated.
It was so dang good I knew I had to recreate it and share it.
What I love about this dish is the sticky, savory sweet sauce with a lot of browned garlic clinging (just slightly) to the edamame.
The flavor is just out of this world. Simple and so delish.
The perfect appetizer or side to go along with an Asian-inspired meal. Or really, any meal.
Ingredients for Garlic Soy Edamame
This recipe calls for simple, pantry-friendly ingredients.
- Frozen edamame – for this recipe I like to buy the edamames that are still in pods.
- Garlic – minced. Avoid substituting with garlic powder, fresh garlic makes a big difference in this dish!
- Soy sauce – this is the ingredient that will give it that distinct Asian flavors
- Granulated sugar
- Water
- Cornstarch – to thicken the sauce so that it clings slightly to the edamame
- Vegetable oil – or any cooking oil you have at hand
How to make Garlic Edamame
To make this Garlic Edamame magic happen, start with a frozen bag of edamame from your grocery store. You should be able to find them at mainstream grocery stores in the freezer aisle.
Buy the edamame with the pods on them. They also sell those where the shells are removed.
Step 1: Make the Garlic Soy Sauce
In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, sugar, cornstarch and some water. Make sure corn starch is fully dissolved – using a whisk can help with that.
Step 2: Saute Edamame
Then heat up a large skillet under medium high heat with some vegetable oil on it.
Once the skillet is heated up, add minced garlic and cook until garlic is browned. I like the garlic browned, or even slightly burnt.
If you don’t want the “burnt-garlic” flavor, then shorten the time you cook the garlic.
Regardless, you do want to cook the garlic for at least 30 seconds, or until you can smell the aroma of the garlic. This way you infuse the oil with the amazingness that is garlic flavor.
Once you get the garlic to your desired doneness, add the sauce, mix around for a few seconds, then immediately add edamame.
Cook for 3-4 minutes, or until edamame is cooked through. That’s it!
Seriously though. Wasn’t that just EASY EASY?
A few simple ingredients and 10 whole minutes is all it takes to make this delicious, crazy flavorful Garlic Edamame recipe.
And best of all, it tastes like a million bucks.
Save a trips out to the restaurant and make this right in the comforts of your own home. Save some $$ along the way.
Frozen edamame is fairly cheap to buy from the grocery stores, and this recipe requires pantry-friendly ingredients. You just can’t beat that!
I can eat this all day, all week, ALL THE TIME.
In fact, I was munching and licking the sauce off my fingers while photographing this because it tasted so good.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make this ahead of time?
Yes you can. Store in air tight container in refrigerator for up to four days. Heat it using the microwave. I do think it tastes the best fresh, as I find the sauce becoming more diluted and less thick after storing in the fridge.
Can I use edamame that is already removed from the pod?
I prefer the ones with pods on because I like the way the sauce coated to the pods, but you can use the shell free edamame too. If using that, cook for a shorter amount of time if not the soy bean will get soggy.
What to Serve with Garlic Edamame
Try this yummy appetizer/side along with some of my favorite Asian inspired dishes!
- Garlic Soy Chicken and Veggie Rice Bowl
- Sauteed Garlic Brussels Sprouts and Carrots
- Simple Thai Noodle Bowl
- Easy Baked Orange Chicken
- Teriyaki Glazed Salmon
- Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry
- Spicy Baked Korean Chicken Wings
- Baked Salmon Sushi Bowl
- Chinese Lemon Chicken (by Christie at Home)
DID YOU ENJOY THIS RECIPE? Please comment below and give us a 5-star rating! This will help others find this recipe on Google and Pinterest. We very much appreciate your help! 🤍
More Yummy Appetizers
- Baked Cream Cheese Wontons
- Vietnamese Egg Rolls
- Asian Lettuce Wraps
- Cranberry Baked Brie
- Caramelized Onion Dip
- Creole Cream Cheese Wonton Cups
- Malaysian Curry Puff
Garlic Edamame
Edamame sautéed and coated in a sticky, garlicky soy based sauce. 10 minutes from start to finish! So easy and delicious! The perfect way to kick off sushi or any Asian-inspired meal!
4.89 from 44 votes
Print Pin
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: asian, Japanese
Prep Time: 3 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 80kcal
Author: MinShien
Ingredients
- 1/2 lbs frozen edamame
- 2-3 tsp minced garlic packed
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tbsp sugar
- 1 1/2 tbsp water
- 1/4 tsp cornstarch
- 1/2-1 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
Mix together soy sauce, sugar, water, and cornstarch in a small bowl.
Heat up large skillet with 1/2-1 tbsp vegetable oil (See Note 1) under medium high heat.
Once skillet is heated up, add minced garlic and sauté for a minute or two, or until garlic is browned and slightly burnt (See Note 2).
Add the sauce to the skillet and stir for a few seconds, then immediate add frozen edamame onto the skillet.
Stir to coat edamame with sauce. Cook for 2-4 minutes or until edamame is warm and cooked through.
Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Note 1: You can use less oil if using a non-stick skillet.
Note 2: If you prefer the garlic to be less-burnt, cook garlic in less time.
Nutrition
Calories: 80kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 255mg | Potassium: 263mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Take a pic and tag me at @joyous.apron, or hashtag #joyousapron on Instagram!
