EASY Garlic Edamame Recipe (10 minutes only!)

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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.

EASY Garlic Edamame Recipe (10 minutes only!) - Joyous Apron (1)

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.

Table of Contents

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.

EASY Garlic Edamame Recipe (10 minutes only!) - Joyous Apron (2)

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

EASY Garlic Edamame Recipe (10 minutes only!) - Joyous Apron (3)

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.

EASY Garlic Edamame Recipe (10 minutes only!) - Joyous Apron (4)

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.

EASY Garlic Edamame Recipe (10 minutes only!) - Joyous Apron (5)

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.

What to Serve with Garlic Edamame

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

Garlic Soy Chicken and Veggie Rice Bowl
Sauteed Garlic Brussels Sprouts and Carrots
Simple Thai Noodle Bowl
Easy Baked Orange Chicken
Teriyaki Glazed Salmon
Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry
Spicy Baked Korean Chicken Wings
Baked Salmon Sushi Bowl
Chinese Lemon Chicken (by Christie at Home)

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

Baked Cream Cheese Wontons
Vietnamese Egg Rolls
Asian Lettuce Wraps
Cranberry Baked Brie
Caramelized Onion Dip
Creole Cream Cheese Wonton Cups
Malaysian Curry Puff

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 minutes

Cook Time: 7 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes 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

Did you make this recipe?Take a pic and tag me at @joyous.apron, or hashtag #joyousapron on Instagram!

EASY Garlic Edamame Recipe (10 minutes only!) - Joyous Apron (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to steam or boil frozen edamame? ›

Edamame is most often quick-boiled, but you will better preserve the beans' toothsome texture if you steam them to reduce their contact with water.

Know More ›

How long does it take to cook edamame? ›

Bring a pot of water to a boil and add enough salt so the water tastes as salty as seawater. Add in-shell edamame and cook until the beans inside the pods are tender about 5 minutes. Drain, rinse with cold water to cool, and season to taste before serving.

Know More ›

How do you cook frozen edamame bags? ›

From the 4 Tbsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt, reserve ½ tsp kosher salt for sprinkling later and add the rest of the salt to the boiling water. Add 10 oz edamame pods (frozen) to the boiling salted water and cook, stirring once in a while, for 4–5 minutes, or until the soybeans are an al dente consistency.

Keep Reading ›

What will you be served if you order edamame in a Japanese restaurant? ›

Edamame are young soybeans that are harvested early, and then steamed or boiled while still in their pods, served as an appetizer or snack. Most often it is lightly salted, although sometimes you might be offered a garlic, sesame, or spicy flavoring too.

Keep Reading ›

Why can't you reheat edamame beans? ›

You can reheat edamame from the refrigerator or frozen, in the microwave or air-fryer, or by steaming, boiling, or roasting. You can also add edamame to a stirfry. Take care not to overcook the edamame when reheating as the beans will lose their fresh green color and crispness.

Find Out More ›

How do you tell if edamame is fully cooked? ›

COOK'S TIP. To determine if edamame beans are properly cooked, squash one between your fingers. The flesh should break apart and flatten out quite easily. If it doesn't, it needs to be cooked longer.

See Details ›

Is edamame good for you? ›

Edamame are immature soybeans that are loaded with nutrients, including fiber, protein, magnesium, and iron. Eating edamame can benefit health in several ways, from promoting satiety to reducing heart disease risk factors.

Learn More ›

Can frozen edamame go bad? ›

Properly frozen edamame will retain its flavor and quality up to 12 months. Refrigerate recipes containing edamame and use within four days.

Tell Me More ›

Can I make edamame in the microwave? ›

To microwave: Put the edamame in a microwave-safe dish with ¼ cup water and a pinch of salt, cover partly and microwave on high until bright green, 1 to 5 minutes, depending on your microwave power. Sprinkle with a teaspoon of salt and a little or a lot of black pepper.

Does edamame need to be refrigerated after cooking? ›

Once cooked, the edamame pods should be stored in the refrigerator for up to several days. Freezing is another option. You can freeze whole cooked pods or shell the beans and freeze them. To reheat the frozen beans, cook them in boiling water for a few minutes.