Beans Poriyal (Indian Stir Fry Green Beans)
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 86kcal
I love making Beans Poriyal. South Indian green beans stir-fried with coconut and spices. It's my go-to for a quick side dish with rice or flatbread!
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Equipment
- Spice Grinder optional
Ingredients
For the spice mix:
- ½ tablespoon urad dal
- ½ tablespoon chana dal
- 3 dried Indian red chilies
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
For the stir-fry:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon black mustard seeds
- 1 tablespoon urad dal
- 1 pound green beans trimmed and cut into 1–2 inch pieces
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup unsweetened desiccated coconut
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for about 5 minutes until softened but still with some bite. Drain and set aside.
- While the beans cook, add the ½ tablespoon urad dal, ½ tablespoon chana dal, dried red chilies, and 1 teaspoon salt to a spice grinder. Grind into a fine powder. Set aside.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the mustard seeds. When they begin to sputter and pop (about 30 seconds), add the 1 tablespoon urad dal and cook until the dal turns golden, about 1 minute.
- Add the drained green beans and cook for 1–2 minutes. Add the ground spice mix and stir well to coat. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust salt.
- Reduce heat to low. Add the desiccated coconut and toss to combine. Remove from heat and serve hot.
Notes
- Lentil substitutions: toor dal or masoor dal (red lentils) can replace the urad and chana dal in both the spice mix and the tempering. Crushed peanuts also work for both. Flavor shifts slightly but still good.
- Dried Indian red chilies have a rich, complex heat — not just spicy. If unavailable, use 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes in the spice mix only (not in the sauté — it gets too hot).
- The coconut goes in last and off high heat. It burns quickly and is there for texture and sweetness, not for cooking.
- Gluten Free added to diet tags — all ingredients are naturally GF.
- Storage: Refrigerate up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat.
Nutrition
Calories: 86kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 588mg | Potassium: 187mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 588IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg
