A hearty and flavorful recipe that you can prepare in your slow cooker, Sweet and Sour Soybeans is a dish that you can enjoy as a main course or a side dish.

Made with soybeans, carrot, rice wine vinegar, tamari sauce, sesame oil, and ginger, this nutrient-packed vegetarian recipe takes about 6 hours and 10 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 4 people.

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Recipe Ingredients

• 2 cups (440 g or 15½ oz) dried soybeans, soaked overnight, drained, and rinsed
• 1 medium carrot, diced into ½-inch (1 cm) pieces
• ½ cup (125 ml or 4 fl oz) rice wine vinegar
• 4 tbsp rice syrup
• 3 tbsp Chinese rice wine
• 2 tbsp tamari sauce
• 1½ tbsp fresh ginger, finely shredded
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• Chopped cucumber, snow pea shoots, toasted sesame seeds, and steamed rice, for serving

How To Make Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Soybeans

1. Prepare the Soybeans: After soaking the soybeans overnight, drain and rinse them thoroughly to remove any impurities.
2. Slow Cooker Setup: Add the soybeans to your slow cooker along with 3 cups (750 ml or 26 fl oz) of water. Set the cooker to high and let the soybeans cook for 4 hours.
3. Add the Carrots: Stir in the diced carrots to the slow cooker and allow them to cook alongside the soybeans for an additional hour.
4. Combine the Sauce Ingredients: Once the beans and carrots are cooked, drain them, and return them to the slow cooker. Add the rice wine vinegar, rice syrup, Chinese rice wine, tamari sauce, shredded ginger, and sesame oil. Mix everything gently to ensure the beans are well-coated.
5. Final Cooking: Let the mixture cook on high for 1 more hour, or until the beans and carrots are tender and infused with the sweet and sour flavors.
6. Serve and Enjoy: Spoon the sweet and sour soybeans onto a plate or bowl. Garnish with chopped cucumber, fresh snow pea shoots, and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. Pair it with steamed rice for a hearty and satisfying meal.

Recipe Tips

• Use fresh ginger for better flavor: Always use freshly shredded ginger instead of powdered for a more vibrant and aromatic taste in your sweet and sour soybeans.
• Adjust sweetness to your preference: Add an extra tablespoon of rice syrup if you prefer a sweeter flavor, or reduce it for a tangier dish.
• Switch up the protein: If soybeans are unavailable, substitute them with chickpeas or lentils for a similarly hearty and satisfying result.
• Add a spicy kick: Stir in a teaspoon of chili flakes or a dash of sriracha to give the dish a subtle heat without overwhelming the sweet and sour balance.
• Make it gluten-free: Ensure all ingredients, especially the tamari sauce, are certified gluten-free to make this dish suitable for dietary restrictions.

Recipe FAQs and Variations

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