Looking to eat more vegetables? Tempura green beans will be your best friend! They’re crispy, golden brown, and perfect alongside this soy-lime dipping sauce. Eating them is more like eating fries than green vegetables!

I was a picky eater as a kid. Foods couldn’t be touched on the plate, salad had to be dressing-free, and condiments other than ketchup were off-limits. Despite my mom’s best efforts to get me to try new foods, I was set on eating French fries and PBJ sandwiches for the rest of my life.

My stubborn eating habits presented a huge problem when we would visit family in Japan each summer. I grew up eating Japanese cuisine, yes, but I had boundaries. There were exactly three types of sushi I would eat, two acceptable fillings for onigiri (rice balls), and two sweet bread varieties that I liked. I wouldn’t go near anything mixed, pickled, or with sauce. However, there was one classic Japanese food that I was willing to order at any restaurant: tempura.

Tempura is the Japanese equivalent of American fried foods. Your kids may not like rotisserie chicken or fancy cheese, but I’ll bet they like chicken nuggets and mozzarella sticks, right? And I’m sure they all eat French fries. Maybe some of your children will even eat fried fish or shrimp, even if they won’t touch other seafood!

This was how tempura was for me. I would happily chow down on tempura-battered shrimp and vegetables while the rest of my family ate more sophisticated meals. With this in mind, I can confidently say that your vegetable-hating children will not just tolerate, but will actually enjoy these tempura green beans. (The dipping sauce is another story – I know I wouldn’t have touched it lol).

Tempura green beans are perfect for sneaking vegetables into your kids’ diets, but they’re also great for adults! Serve them up as a party appetizer, side dish, or even just as an afternoon snack.

Looking for more kid-friendly vegetable recipes? Try out these crispy baked sweet potato fries!

How to Make Tempura Green Beans With Soy-Lime Dipping Sauce

Ingredients

For the Green Beans:

• Vegetable oil for frying
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup club soda
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 3/4 lb green beans trimmed

For the Dipping Sauce:

• 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce or tamari
• 4 tsp lime juice
• 2 tsp granulated sugar

Instructions

For the Green Beans:

1. Pour 1/2″ – 3/4″ of vegetable oil into the bottom of a large wok or deep frying pan. Place over medium-low heat and bring the temperature to 375°F.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the club soda and sesame oil until only a few lumps remain.
3. Dip 4-6 green beans in the batter and carefully lay in the hot oil. Fry until golden brown and crisp (about 60 seconds total), flipping halfway through cooking. Repeat with remaining green beans until no batter remains.

For the Dipping Sauce:

1. Combine the soy sauce, lime juice, and sugar in a small bowl. Stir until the sugar has dissolved.

Are Tempura Green Beans Healthy?

The healthiness of tempura green beans depends on various factors, including the ingredients used and the cooking method. In the version you provided, where green beans are coated in a batter and deep-fried, there are both positive and less healthy aspects.

Healthier Aspects:

• Green beans themselves are a nutritious vegetable, providing vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
• The dipping sauce, made with reduced-sodium soy sauce, lime juice, and a modest amount of sugar, can add flavor without excessive sodium or calories.

Less Healthy Aspects:

• The batter contains all-purpose flour, which is refined and may lack some nutrients present in whole-grain alternatives.
• Deep-frying in vegetable oil adds calories and fat to the dish.

Tips for a Healthier Version:

1. Use whole wheat flour or a mix of whole wheat and all-purpose flour for the batter.
2. Consider alternative cooking methods like baking or air-frying instead of deep-frying.
3. Control the amount of oil used for frying.

While traditional tempura green beans may not be the healthiest choice, making mindful ingredient and cooking method choices can enhance their nutritional profile. Enjoying them in moderation as part of a balanced diet is key.

FAQ

Can I use a gluten-free flour alternative for the batter?

• Certainly! You can experiment with gluten-free flour like rice flour or a gluten-free baking blend to make the batter suitable for gluten-sensitive individuals.

Is there a healthier alternative to deep-frying for the green beans?

• Yes, consider alternatives like baking or air-frying for a lighter version. These methods reduce the amount of oil absorbed by the green beans.

How can I make the dipping sauce lower in sugar?

• To reduce sugar content, you can use a sugar substitute or simply decrease the amount of granulated sugar in the dipping sauce to suit your taste.

Are there other vegetables I can use for tempura besides green beans?

• Absolutely! Tempura batter works well with a variety of vegetables. Try zucchini, sweet potatoes, or bell peppers for a diverse and colorful tempura assortment.

Can I prepare the dipping sauce ahead of time?

• Certainly! The dipping sauce can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Just give it a good stir before serving to ensure the flavors are well-mixed.

Tempura Green Beans With Soy-Lime Dipping Sauce

Recipe by Food by AyakaCourse: Appetizers, Main, SnacksCuisine: Japanese, Dairy Free, VeganDifficulty: Medium

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking time

15

minutes

Total time

20

minutes

Veggies just got a tasty makeover! These tempura-battered green beans will have even the pickiest of kids asking for more.

Ingredients

• For the Green Beans

• Vegetable oil for frying

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1 cup club soda

• 1 tablespoon sesame oil

• 3/4 lb green beans trimmed

• For the Dipping Sauce

• 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce or tamari

• 4 tsp lime juice

• 2 tsp granulated sugar

Directions

• For the Green Beans
• Pour 1/2″ – 3/4″ of vegetable oil into the bottom of a large wok or deep frying pan. Place over medium-low heat and bring the temperature to 375°F.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the club soda and sesame oil until only a few lumps remain.
• Dip 4-6 green beans in the batter and carefully lay in the hot oil. Fry until golden brown and crisp (about 60 seconds total), flipping halfway through cooking. Repeat with remaining green beans until no batter remains.
• For the Dipping Sauce
• Combine the soy sauce, lime juice, and sugar in a small bowl. Stir until the sugar has dissolved.