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    Easy Edamame (Two Ways!)

    Today we’re giving you two fantastic ways to enjoy edamame: the classic Easy Edamame and the zestier Spicy Chili Garlic Edamame.

    Whether you’re looking for a simple, healthy snack or a flavorful side dish to spice up your meal, edamame is a great choice. And today we’ve got you covered with both the classic salted taste and a variation for a spicy garlic edemame.

    Easy to cook and oh boy, so addictive, this is one snack you can’t stop popping into your mouth.

    Side by side collage of the two dishes presented in this post.

    If you ask me what’s my go to appetizer or starter to order in any Asian restaurant, edamame it is. It’s such a fun and yum thing that you don’t even realize how quickly you go through a big pile of them.

    Such a simple and humble ingredient, it’s ridiculously easy and quick to cook for any time of the day munching!

    Why We Can’t Get Enough Of This

    • Deliciously Addictive: The basic edamame recipe has a simple, subtly salty taste, while the spicy chili garlic option gives a bold, aromatic experience. Both are irresistible!
    • Easy and Quick: Both recipes are straightforward and quick to prepare, making them perfect for busy days or when you need a healthy snack without much fuss.
    • Versatility: Edamame can be enjoyed as a snack, appetizer, or side dish.
    • Healthy: It’s is packed with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, making it a nutritious choice for anyone looking to add more plant-based foods to their diet.
    Bowl of salted edamame.

    What is Edamame?

    Edamame are young soybeans, typically harvested before they have ripened or hardened. They are a popular snack in many parts of the world, especially in East Asian cuisine. Here are some key points:

    Appearance: Edamame beans are green in color and are usually served in their pod, which is not meant to be eaten. The beans inside are soft and edible.

    Taste and Texture: They have a mildly sweet, nutty flavor, with a firm yet yielding texture. When cooked, they become slightly softer but retain a bit of crunch.

    Nutritional Value: Edamame is highly nutritious, packed with protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. They are a great source of plant-based protein, making them a popular choice among vegetarians and vegans.

    Preparation: It can be boiled, steamed, or microwaved. They can be eaten by squeezing the beans out of the pod directly into the mouth.

    Usage: Apart from being a snack, edamame is used in a variety of dishes, including salads, soups, and stir-fries. They are also processed to make other soy products.

    Ingredient Notes

    Frozen edamame prior to cooking.

    For Easy Edamame:

    • Frozen Edamame in Pods: The main ingredient.
    • Table Salt: Used for boiling.
    • Flaky Sea Salt or Coarse Salt: For sprinkling over the cooked edamame, adding texture and a burst of flavor.

    For Spicy Chili Garlic Edamame:

    • Frozen Edamame in Pods: Again, the star.
    • Oil: Used for sautéing.
    • Garlic Cloves: Finely chopped.
    • Ginger: Optional, adds a warm, spicy note.
    • Red Chili Flakes: Gives heat and enhances the dish’s overall spice profile.
    • Sugar: Balances the spiciness and acidity of the sauce.
    • Soy Sauce: Brings a savory, umami quality to the dish.

    How to Cook Edamame

    Basic Edamame:

    1. Prepare Water: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

    2. Cook Edamame: Add frozen edamame pods to the boiling water. Let them cook until they are bright green and tender, about 4-5 minutes.

    Edamame being boiled in water.

    3. Drain: Remove from the water and drain.

    Cooked edamame in a colander.

    4. Season and Serve: Place the cooked edamame in a bowl and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Serve warm.

    Bowl of salted edamame.

    Spicy Chili Garlic Edamame:

    1. Cook Edamame: Follow the same steps as above to cook and drain the edamame.

    2. Prepare Sauce: In a large skillet, heat the oil. Sauté garlic, ginger (if using), and red chili flakes until fragrant, about 30-60 seconds. Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in soy sauce and sugar, mixing well.

    3. Combine: Toss the cooked edamame in the sauce. Enjoy warm as a flavorful snack or side dish.

    Spicy garlic edamame in a skillet.

    Alpana’s Tips

    Don’t Overcook: Keep an eye on the cooking time to prevent overcooking. Edamame should be bright green and tender, not mushy.

    Customize Seasoning: Feel free to experiment with different types of salt or seasoning blends for added flavor variety.

    Adjust Spice: Control the spiciness by altering the amount of red chili flakes to suit your preference.

    Serve Immediately: These dishes are best enjoyed right after preparation to savor their flavors at their peak.

    Leftovers: If you have any leftovers, consider adding them to salads or stir-fries for an extra boost of flavor and nutrition.

    Spicy edamame in a bowl.

    Possible Variations

    Sesame Teriyaki: Toss with a mix of teriyaki sauce, sesame oil, and sesame seeds.

    Spicy Wasabi Sesame: Give it some punch by mixing wasabi paste with sesame oil and a dash of soy sauce.

    Honey Edamame: Drizzle with honey for a touch of sweetness and sprinkle with sea salt.

    Chili Lime: Sprinkle the cooked edamame with chili powder and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

    Ways to Serve Edamame

    korean ground beef bowl

    1. Bowl Meals: Its great in Asian themed bowl meals like Teriyaki Salmon, Chicken Teriyaki Bowl, Korean Beef Bowl, Spicy Shrimp Bowl, Super Food Bowl, and Tuna Tataki Bowl.

    2. Edamame Salads: Add cooked and cooled edamame to salads for an extra protein boost and a pop of color. They work well in green salads, grain salads, or noodle salads.

    3. Stir-Fries: Toss steamed edamame into your favorite stir-fry for added texture and nutrition. They pair well with a variety of veggies and proteins.

    4. Fried Rice: Mix cooked edamame into fried rice like Pork Fried Rice or Hibachi Fried Rice for a colorful and flavorful side dish.

    5. In Ramen: Like our Miso Ramen or Spicy Ramen.

    6 In Noodle Dishes: Think Spicy Noodles or Shanghai Noodles.

    How Much Protein is in Edamame?

    Edamame is a rich source of plant-based protein. On average, a 1-cup (155 grams) serving of cooked edamame typically contains about 17 grams of protein. This makes it an excellent protein source for vegetarians and vegans, as well as anyone looking to increase their protein intake with a healthy and nutritious food option.

    Additionally, it is a complete protein, meaning it provides all the essential amino acids needed by the body, making it a valuable addition to a balanced diet.

    Bowl full of spicy edamame.

    There it is, restaurant style easy edamame, two ways!! All you need to do is grab a frozen bag of edamame the next time you’re in the grocery store.

    Add this easy snack or side dish for your Asian night. Be sure to go for larger bag, as they go pretty, pretty fast…

    Edamame, on our Gypsy Plate… enjoy!

    Bowl of edamame atop the Gypsy Plate.

    Be sure to check out our collection of favorite Asian Recipes!

    Featured image for edamame recipe.

    Easy Edamame (Two Ways!)

    Yield: 4 servings
    Prep Time: 2 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 7 minutes

    Add some flavor and nutrition to your Asian night with this easy Edamame recipe, served two ways! It's great as a side dish or appetizer.

    Ingredients

    Easy Edamame

    • 1 bag of frozen edamame, in pods
    • 3 Tbsp salt
    • ¾ tsp flaky sea salt or coarse salt, for serving

    Spicy Chili Garlic Edamame

    • 1 Tbsp oil
    • 3-4 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
    • 1 Tbsp ginger, finely chopped (optional)
    • 1 tsp red chili flakes
    • ½ tsp sugar
    • 1.5-2 Tbsp soy sauce

    Instructions

    1. Add salt to a large pot of water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, add the frozen edamame to the water.
    2. Cook until bright green and tender, about 4-5 minutes.
    3. Drain and place edamame in a bowl. Sprinkle with flaked sea salt and serve warm. (see note for microwave cooking)

    For Spicy Chili Garlic Edamame:

    1. Cook edamame as described above and drain in a colander.
    2. Heat oil in large skillet and sauté garlic, ginger and red chili flakes until fragrant, about 30-60 seconds. Remove from the heat. Stir in soy sauce and sugar, mix well.
    3. Toss cooked edamame into the sauce and serve warm.

    Notes

    1. To microwave edamame: Place the edamame in a microwave-safe bowl, add ¼ cup of water for steam, and lightly salt them for flavor. Cover the bowl with a plate, leaving a small gap for steam to escape, and microwave on high. The cooking time will vary from 1 to 5 minutes based on your microwave's power, but you're looking for the edamame to become vividly green and thoroughly heated.

    Did you make this recipe?

    Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

    Picture of Alpana, blogger and recipe developer at GypsyPlate

    Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.

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