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My family can get through an entire bowl of boiled edamame or steamed edamame in minutes. It is a definite family favorite. We enjoy it so much at Chinese restaurants, I just knew I had to make it at home. Once I found out how to make edamame, it frequents our table as an appetizer or side dish, pairing well with dishes like my Thai Lettuce Wraps.

plate of boiled edamame sprinkled with coarse salt.

What is Edamame?

Edamame is an immature soybean traditionally eaten in Asia. You will most often find them in the freezer section of the grocery store in America. Let’s talk about why I love this easy, protein-packed healthy snack as well as how to make it. A young soybean provides 14 grams of proteinย per one cup which makes edamame a great high-protein snack recipe.

You can also make edamame to boost protein in my Marinated Celery Salad or even a soup like Vegan Minestrone Soup. Try swapping fries with some pods next time you make Black Bean Burgers. You won’t regret it!

labeled ingredients for how to make edamame including water, edamame pods and sea salt.

Ingredients to Make Edamame

This recipe is only three ingredients, two of which you probably already have on hand! Here’s what I’m putting in my dish:

  • Edamame pods: Make sure you buy it in shells, not the shelled version.
  • Water: Easy peasy way to boil vegetables is in water. Want to get fancy? Use vegetable broth.
  • Coarse sea salt: Why coarse? It’s crunchy and adds a burst of flavor. Feel free to use whatever salt you have on hand, or check the packaging from the frozen beans as they might include a packet of coarse salt in there.

I love adding spices to pretty much everything, yet I kept this recipe simple because this is the way my family eats it, just crunchy sea salt and that’s it! If you want to go the seasoned route then read on.


How to Boil Edamame

placing edamame into a sauce pan full of water.

Step 1: Boil six cups of water and a pinch of salt in a large saucepan. Add the edamame beans and cook five minutes or until the pods are tender. The beans should be easy to release from their pods, yet don’t release them just yet!

bean pods in a colander.

Step 2: Drain thoroughly with a colander then place the cooked beans into a bowl.

plate of cooked bean pods and a white hand sprinkling coarse salt over top.

Step 3: Top with coarse sea salt and eat once slightly cooled.

Can I microwave edamame?

Yes, you can also cook edamame in the microwave. If you bought a frozen bag, it should have microwave steaming instructions on it. Even if this is the case, I find that boiling it on the stovetop does a slightly better job of making the pods tender but not soggy.

plate of edamame with sea salt.

Edamame Sauces + Seasonings

As I said I do love this dish with just a bit of coarse salt yet other flavors do have their place if that’s your style. Here are a few flavoring options:

  • Garlic Sesame: The easiest way to jazz up this recipe is to sautรฉ some minced garlic then add to the boiled beans along with toasted sesame oil. It adds a deeper flavor that’s slightly nutty.
  • Ginger: Fresh chopped ginger root can be added during the boiling process to flavor the beans.
  • Soy Sauce: While this dish uses soybeans, you can also add soy sauce. If I’m using soy sauce or tamari, I will cut back on the amount of salt I sprinkle on.
  • Sriracha: I’ll never say no to adding a bit of spicy sriracha to anything, so feel free to use it as a dipping sauce.
  • Sweet Chili Sauce: You can find this in the international aisle of the grocery store, and it adds a sweet ‘n spicy taste that pairs well with this bean.
hand showing an open bean pod.

How to Eat Edamame

When eating edamame, you want to think of it like a shelled peanut. You want what’s inside, but not the shell. So once it has been cooked and salted, here’s what you’re gonna do:

  1. Take the shell (pod) in between your fingers.
  2. Stick it in your mouth.
  3. Use your teeth to pop the beans out of the pod and into your mouth to chew on.
  4. Discard the empty pods in a separate bowl.

Common Questions

What is the best way to cook edamame?

Cooking edamame is super easy. Boil a large pot of water on the stove. Add the bean pods and cook for five minutes, or until the pods are tender. Drain then place in a bowl and top with coarse sea salt.

Should edamame be boiled or steamed?

You can either boil or steam this bean, your choice! Many frozen packages come with steaming instructions, so follow those if you wish, or use my recipe for boiling in less than ten minutes.

Do you cook edamame or eat it raw?

All soybeans should be cooked before being eaten, as they are poisonous in their raw form. Yet cooking them is super easy and delicious!

What to Eat with Edamame

I love it when I can add a vegetable to a meal is minutes. Here are a few dinner ideas that you can serve with edamame that the whole family will enjoy.

5 from 3 votes

How to Make Edamame

Enjoy boiled edamameโ€”ย it's super easy to make and extra delicious to enjoy. This can be eaten as a snack or popped out of the pods as a protein-dense recipe addition.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Author: Jen Hansard
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: Chinese-Inspired
Serves: 4

Ingredients  

  • 2 cups edamame frozen or fresh, in pods
  • 6 cups water
  • 1 tbsp sea salt, unrefined coarse, plus more for serving

Instructions 

  • Bring water and salt to a boil. Add edamame and cook for 5 minutes or until the edamame are tender and easily released from their pods, yet don't release them just yet.
  • Drain thoroughly and place in a serving dish.
  • Sprinkle with coarse finishing salt and enjoy!
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Equipment

  • stove top
  • strainer

Notes

  • Do not eat the outer pod, just the beans on the inside.
  • I love enjoying them with just salt, yet feel free to use a dipping sauce like ginger soy sauce or some soy sauce mixed with wasabi.
  • You can use fresh or frozen edamame for this recipe, both are delicious! I often find that frozen edamame comes with a packet of coarse salt to add, so look for that inside the packaging.
  • Once cooked, you can enjoy it as-is or add it as a topping to a salad, vegetarian ramen or a veggie bowl.

Nutrition

Calories: 95kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 0.5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Sodium: 1767mg, Potassium: 338mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 61mg, Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe? Show me!Mention @SimpleGreenSmoothies or tag #SimpleGreenSmoothies!

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  1. 5 stars
    I love edamame beans and used to eat them on a regular basis. Because of illness and other issues, I usually just pick up what I see in front of me. Next time I go to the store I will definitely get edamames. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

    1. Hi Rashida! You’re so welcome! Glad I could give you some inspiration!

  2. 5 stars
    I forgot how much I love edamame and this post prompted me to pick up some from Trader Joes!

    1. So easy and delish! Glad you came across my post and decided to give it a try!