Spicy green bean stir fry is also known in Sinhalese as”bonchi thel dala”.
A vegetarian Sri Lankan pan-fried green beans recipe you can cook in less than 30 minutes.

These beans are gently sautéed over a stovetop and does not use coconut milk to tone down the spice level.
But served with a few mild vegetarian dishes mentioned below, the spiciness of the stir-fried beans can be toned down to give you a side dish to complement a plate of rice and curry.
A pan-fried bean stir fry you can adapt.
Despite the extra heat, you can adapt the recipe to your taste.
When it comes to how spicy you want the spicy vegetable curry, simply reduce the amount of chillies(both flakes and green chillies).

What to serve with green bean stir-fry.
- Rice dishes to serve with stir-fried beans.
- Vegetarian curries to pair with the Sri Lankan dish.
- Meat dishes to pair with pan-fried spicy beans.
- Baked dishes to pair with green bean stir-fry.

Tips & questions for cooking spicy beans.
- Can I make the recipe using frozen beans?
- Yes, I’m using frozen French beans, and they came out perfect.
- If you are using frozen beans, just add them to the sautéed ingredients and continue to follow the recipe instructions given below.
- If you are using a different type of beans.
- You’ll find a variety of beans depending on where you live.
- Since the beans I’m using are thin and small compared to other types, I didn’t have to cut them to size.
- If you are using the common bean, which is longer and lighter in colour, then follow the method of cleaning mentioned below.
- How can I add gravy to the chilli green beans?
- Simply replace 1/4 cup water with the same amount of coconut milk at the end and let simmer over low heat for 10-15 minutes.

What you will need in the kitchen.
- Chopping board and knife
- Skillet or frying pan
More green bean recipes.
Sri Lankan bean and potato curry.
Beef and green bean stir-fry.
Vegan green beans and coconut stir-fry.
Sri Lankan bean and carrot coconut milk recipe.
Spicy bean and potato devilled stir-fry.
RECIPE DIFFICULTY-EASY
Ingredients to cook spicy green bean stir fry.
The ingredients mentioned below use standard measuring cups and spoons.
- Oil
- large onion sliced
- A sprig of curry leaves(substitute with a bay leaf).
- Garlic cloves, finely sliced
- Green chillies sliced into two
- Turmeric powder
- Green beans(you can use any type of beans, I’m using frozen French beans).
- Water
- Red chilli flakes(depending on how spicy you want the beans to be).
- Curry powder
- Salt to season
Step-by-step photo tutorial.
Cooking spicy stir-fried green beans.
Preparing the beans.
If you are using common beans(the lighter beans you find in most vegetable stalls).
- How to clean the beans.
- Break the top, pulling it downwards helps to remove the long tough string along the sides of the bean.
- How to cut the beans.
- Cut in half and add them to the pan. You can also slice through the middle so the seeds are exposed before adding them to the pan.
- Using frozen green beans.
- Add them from the freezer to the pan at the proper time. Do not add any water.
Cooking the spicy green beans.
Place a pan over medium heat and pour in the oil. Let the oil heat for a minute.

Once the oil heats, add sliced onions, curry leaves, sliced garlic, green chillies, turmeric powder and salt.
Sauté over medium heat for 2 minutes or until the onions turn soft and translucent.
Add the beans to the pan and combine all ingredients over medium heat for 5 minutes.
Pour in the water and simmer for a further 5 minutes until the water completely evaporates.

Add curry powder and chilli flakes to reduce the heat to low. Cook for another 5 minutes until all ingredients are well combined.

Check for seasoning and add salt if necessary; serve warm.
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Sri Lankan spicy green bean stir-fry(bonchi thel dala).
Spicy green beans stir fry is also known in Sinhalese as”bonchi thel dala”.
A vegan Sri Lankan pan-fried green beans recipe you can cook in less than 30 minutes..
Ingredients
- Ingredients mentioned below use standard measuring cups and spoons.
- 2-3 tablespoons of oil
- 1 large onion sliced
- A sprig of curry leaves(substitute with a bay leaf)
- 2 garlic cloves finely sliced
- 2 green chillies sliced into two
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 250g of green beans(you can use any type of beans, eg-long beans, etc, I’m using frozen french beans)
- 1/2 cup of water
- 1 teaspoon chilli flecks(depending on how spicy you want the beans to be)
- 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
- Salt to season
Instructions
If you are using common beans(the lighter beans you find in most vegetable stalls).
- How to clean the beans.
- By breaking the top, pulling it downwards helps to remove the long tough string along the sides of the bean.
- How to cut the beans.
- Cut in half and add them to the pan. You can also slice through the middle so the seeds are exposed before adding them to the pan.
- Using frozen green beans.
- Add them from the freezer to the pan at the proper time. Do not add any water.
How to cook the spicy green beans.
- Place a pan over medium heat and pour in the oil(3 tablespoons). Let the oil heat for a minute.
- Once the oil heats, add sliced onions(1 large), curry leaves, sliced garlic(2), green chillies(2), turmeric powder(1/2 teaspoon) and salt.
- Sauté over medium heat for 2 minutes or until the onions turn soft and translucent.
- Add the beans(250g)to the pan and combine all ingredients over medium heat for 5 minutes.
- Pour in the water(1/2 cup)and simmer for a further 5 minutes until the water completely evaporates.
- Add curry powder(1/2 teaspoon) and chilli flakes (1 teaspoon) to reduce heat to low.
- Cook for another 5 minutes until all ingredients are well combined.
- Check for seasoning and add salt if necessary; serve warm.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 135Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 154mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 3gSugar: 4gProtein: 2g
Nutritional information on islandsmile is provided as a courtesy. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on the site. these figures should only be considered as estimates.
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