If you’ve been curious about how to prepare Edamame, you’ve come to the right place! Here, I’ll demonstrate how to steam these delicious young soybean pods and also share a recipe for Spicy Edamame with chili and garlic – perfect for those who enjoy bold flavors. In India, these green soybean pods are referred to as Soyabean. Both recipes are simple yet bursting with flavor.
What is Edamame?
Edamame, pronounced ed-uh-MAA-meh, are the tender, young pods of soybeans. These flavorful green beans are often sold while still in their pods, making them a convenient snack for finger food enthusiasts.
Edamame can be boiled, steamed, pan-fried, or even microwaved until cooked, after which they easily slip out of their inedible pods.
These healthy little beans are rich in plant-based protein and fiber, and they are associated with various health benefits.
About These Edamame Recipes
I’ll be sharing a Japanese-style salted edamame recipe and a spicy chili garlic edamame recipe. When eaten alone, steamed or boiled edamame has a subtle sweetness and a creamy texture similar to green peas, but firmer.
I prefer to enjoy them with just a sprinkle of salt to accentuate their natural flavors, but edamame can be used in various other ways beyond simply eating them plain.
The second recipe for chili garlic edamame enhances the beans’ natural sweetness with layers of spicy, sour, and salty flavors, creating a more complex dish.
You can reserve half of the edamame for enjoying plain and use the other half to prepare the spicy edamame recipe.
Whether you choose the simple or the spicy recipe, edamame is a nutritious snack option between meals and can also be served as a side dish.
Additionally, as with all recipes on this site, feel free to adjust the spices according to your preferences and heat tolerance.
In this guide, I’ve demonstrated the boiling method, but you can also steam edamame in the Instant Pot.
I often use the Instant Pot method by adding water and a steamer basket to the metal liner, then using the pressure cook function for 3 to 5 minutes.
Edamame Recipe Ingredients:
For Cooking Edamame Beans:
- 250 grams edamame (fresh or frozen)
- 3 cups water, or as needed
- 1 teaspoon salt for cooking the beans
- Salt, as required, to be sprinkled later on the edamame
For Spicy Edamame (Soyabean Chilli):
- 2 tablespoons oil (any neutral oil)
- 2 tbsp garlic, minced, or 6 to 7 medium garlic cloves
- 250 grams edamame beans, steamed or boiled
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes, or according to taste
- ½ tbsp white pepper or black pepper, or as required
- 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce, or 1 to 2 teaspoons regular soy sauce, or as required
- 2 teaspoons mirin
- 1 teaspoon raw sugar, or as required (you can use ½ teaspoon white sugar instead)
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon salt, or as required
Edamame Recipe Instructions:
Cooking Edamame:
- Boil water with some salt over medium to high heat.
- Once the water begins to boil, add the edamame beans.
- Cook without a lid for eight to twelve minutes. If using an Instant Pot, steam using the pressure cook function for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Frozen beans will cook faster than fresh beans. Cooking time may vary depending on the size of the pods.
- Strain all the water once the beans are cooked.
- Optionally, you can shock the beans in ice-cold water to retain color.
- After draining all the water, transfer the beans onto a serving plate.
- Sprinkle some salt over the beans. Toss and mix well. Serve warm,, hot, or at room temperature.
- Spicy Edamame Recipe (Soyabean Chilli):
- Heat oil over low to medium-low heat.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for a few seconds.
- Add the cooked edamame beans and mix well. Sauté for a minute over low heat.
- Add red chili flakes, white pepper or black pepper, and dark soy sauce. Mix well and sauté for another minute.
- Season with salt, sugar, and mirin. Mix well and sauté for a minute over low heat.
- Serve hot or warm.
Notes:
- Instead of dark soy sauce, you can use light soy sauce or regular soy sauce (about 1 to 2 teaspoons).
- Ensure to use fresh and green edamame bean pods, or you can use frozen beans.
- For salt, you can use sea salt, pink salt, edible rock salt, kosher salt, or regular salt.
- You can swap mirin with rice vinegar and add a bit of sugar to balance the sourness of the vinegar.
- Note that the approximate nutrition info is for the cooked edamame and not the chili garlic edamame.
Conclusion:
Edamame Recipe are versatile and delicious soybean pods that can be enjoyed as a snack or side dish. Whether you prefer them plain or spicy, they offer a nutritious option for adding protein and fiber to your diet. Experiment with different flavors and cooking methods to discover your favorite way to enjoy this healthy treat!
FAQs about Edamame Recipe:
What is Edamame?
Edamame are the tender, young pods of soybeans. They are often sold while still in their pods and can be boiled, steamed, pan-fried, or microwaved until cooked. Once cooked, the beans can easily be removed from their inedible pods.
How do I cook Edamame?
To cook edamame, boil water with salt, then add the edamame beans and cook without a lid for 8 to 12 minutes. Alternatively, you can steam them in an Instant Pot using the pressure cook function for 3 to 5 minutes.
What are the health benefits of Edamame?
Edamame are rich in plant-based protein and fiber, making them a nutritious snack option. They are associated with various health benefits, including improved heart health, better digestion, and support for muscle and bone health.
Can I make Spicy Edamame?
Yes, you can make Spicy Edamame by sautéing cooked edamame beans with garlic, red chili flakes, white or black pepper, dark soy sauce, mirin, salt, and sugar. This adds layers of spicy, sour, and salty flavors to the dish.
How should I store leftover Edamame?
Leftover edamame can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 to 2 days. When ready to eat, you can reheat them in the microwave or enjoy them cold.
