My family can get through an entire bowl of boiled 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.
Table of contents
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 protein per one cup which makes edamame a great snack recipe.
You can also make them to add protein to 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!
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 sauce to everything, yet I kept this recipe simple because this is the way my family eats it, just sea salt and that’s it! If you want to go the seasoned route then read on.
How to Boil Edamame
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!
Step 2: Drain thoroughly with a colander then place the cooked beans into a bowl.
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.
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 sauté 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.
How to Eat Edamame
Think of edamame like a shelled peanut. You want what’s inside but not the shell. So once it has been cooked and salted,
- Take the shell in between your fingers.
- Stick it in your mouth.
- Use your teeth to pop the beans out of the pod and into your mouth to chew on.
- Discard the empty pods in a separate bowl.
Common Questions
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.
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.
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 adding a vegetable to a meal is easy. Here are a few more side dishes to serve with edamame that are simple to make and easy for the whole family to enjoy:
- Skillet Green Beans: This is fast becoming a Summer staple on my dinner table.
- Roasted Cabbage Wedges: A beloved dish from my childhood that I share with my family now.
- Crunchy Carrot Salad: An easy yet delightful dish that elevates your tablescape.
- Baked Potato Wedges: Perfect for grilling season, a cozy night in or an easy snack.
- Roasted Butternut Squash: Not just for holidays, this dish is a warming option for weeknight dinners, too.
Don’t forget to rate + review this recipe once you make it. I’d love to hear what spices you added to yours!
How to Make Edamame
Equipment
- stove top
- strainer
Ingredients
- 2 cups edamame frozen or fresh, in pods
- 6 cups water
- 1 tbsp sea salt 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!
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.
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.
Hi Rashida! You’re so welcome! Glad I could give you some inspiration!
I forgot how much I love edamame and this post prompted me to pick up some from Trader Joes!
So easy and delish! Glad you came across my post and decided to give it a try!