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Garlic Edamame

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.

Sticky Garlic Edamame on a plate with fork on the side

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.

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.

A plate of Garlic 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
Frozen edamame with shells on
Frozen Edamame with shells one

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.

Garlic Edamame

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.

Garlic Edamame

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.

Top down view of a plate of Garlic Edamame coated in soy sauce and garlic pieces

What to Serve with Garlic Edamame

Try this yummy appetizer/side along with some of my favorite Asian inspired dishes!

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

Garlic Edamame

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
Cook Time: 7 minutes
Total Time: 10 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!

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Recipe Rating




30 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This recipe was so simple and delicious! Thank you!

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      Glad you enjoyed it!

  2. 5 stars
    We loved this recipe! We served it as an appetizer for a party and I will definitely be making it again!

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      Yay! That’s great to hear! So glad you all enjoyed it.

  3. 5 stars
    I’ll admit I was initially not excited about edamame, but your recipe changed my mind! Light, delicious and flavor-FULL!

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      Yay! I just love hearing that! 🙂

  4. Sandra Shaffer says:

    5 stars
    Love edamame! Super flavorful and makes a great appetizer/snack for anytime!

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      I have to agree! 🙂

  5. 5 stars
    I made up a batch of edamame and my granddaughter thought I was a genius. She always orders them at our favorite Asian restaurant and was amazed we could have them at home.

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      And at such a lower price! Thank you for trying it and letting me know how it went, Julie!

  6. Michaela Kenkel says:

    5 stars
    I LOVED this recipe!! The flavor was absolutely perfect!

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      That’s great, Michaela! Love to hear that!

  7. 5 stars
    Such an easy and tasty way to prepare edamame. I made this yesterday and my daughter loves them. Good way to incorporate vegetables into our diet. Definitely going into our dinner rotation.

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      Wonderful! So glad she enjoyed them! Yummy veggies for the win!

  8. Priya Srinivasan says:

    5 stars
    Totally love this appetizer! Simple to make and tastes amazing! We totally love the burnt garlic flavor! Great edamame recipe, highly recommend!

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      Thank you for your kinda words, Priya!

  9. 5 stars
    I made this for an appetizer tonight and they came out perfect! The garlic is just right in this and I loved how easy the recipe came together.

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      Thank you so much! Always happy to hear that!

  10. 5 stars
    So delicious! We were literally licking our fingers and can’t wait to make again!

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      Thanks Carol! Excited that you are making it again!

  11. 5 stars
    I am so with you about eating these all day! Absolutely love this recipe and the best part is we make this with frozen edamame. So easy to find the ingredients and so easy to make as well.

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      Thanks so much for the kind review. Glad you liked it!

  12. Irene Jakubow says:

    I will be trying this well recommended recipe but need an answer. Do you eat the skins or just pop out the beans alone after cooking them. Thank you.

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      You do not eat the skin!

  13. Rhonda Wheeland says:

    5 stars
    Perfect. Fast, easy and and delicious. Was able to make while dinner was cooking and had time to enjoy them before dinner

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      Excellent! Glad to hear that!

  14. Anton Komarovsky says:

    4 stars
    For me 4 min was not enough to warm them through, so took them for 8. I had a pound though. The sauce is delicious.

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      Glad you liked the sauce. Thanks for sharing!!

  15. 5 stars
    So fast, easy and delicious!

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      Thanks!! Glad to hear!