These chargrilled green beans with XO sauce are a fast, flavour-packed side dish perfect for any barbecue or dinner spread. The beans are blanched, seared until charred, then tossed in a rich, savoury XO sauce and finished with toasted almonds for extra crunch. A great way to add bold flavour to your vegetables in just 10 minutes.
Category
Lunch
Servings
4
Prep time
5 minutes
Cook time
5 minutes
These chargrilled green beans with XO sauce are a fast, flavour-packed side dish perfect for any barbecue or dinner spread. The beans are blanched, seared until charred, then tossed in a rich, savoury XO sauce and finished with toasted almonds for extra crunch. A great way to add bold flavour to your vegetables in just 10 minutes.
Ingredients
- 500g green beans, trimmed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- sea salt, to season
- 2 tbsp XO sauce
- ¼ cup sliced almonds, toasted
Directions
Blanch beans in boiling water for 1 minute, then drain and refresh in iced water.
- Pat beans dry with a paper towel, then toss with oil in a shallow bowl until well coated, season with salt.
- Heat a BBQ flat plate or a heavy based frying pan over high heat.
- Cook beans for 2-3 minutes, turning, until charred all over. Set aside.
- Heat XO sauce in a small pan until warmed, then add beans and toss until well combined.
- Serve sprinkled with almonds.
Recipe notes
Q: What is XO sauce, and where can I find it?
A: XO sauce is a spicy, umami-rich condiment made with dried seafood, chilli, garlic and cured ham. It’s usually found in the Asian aisle at the supermarket or at Asian grocers.
Q: Can I make it without XO sauce?
A: You can swap it for chilli crisp or a mix of soy sauce, garlic and a bit of chilli oil—but it won’t have quite the same kick or depth.
Q: Do I have to blanch the beans first?
A: Blanching keeps the beans bright and helps them cook evenly. You can skip it if you're in a rush, but they'll be a bit firmer and take a little longer on the grill.
Q: Can I use a grill pan instead of a BBQ?
A: Yep—just get it nice and hot so you still get a good char on the beans.
Q: Are there nut-free alternatives to the almonds?
A: You can leave them out or swap in something crunchy like toasted sunflower seeds or crispy shallots.
