Edamame Recipes Easy Edamame Pasta & More
If you usually think of edamame as the lightly salted green soybeans served at Japanese restaurants, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy them at home. Their mild, slightly nutty flavour works well in pasta, rice dishes and simple Japanese home cooking, while frozen edamame are convenient to keep on hand for quick meals.
One easy option is edamame peperoncino, made with garlic, chilli and olive oil. Edamame also pairs well with Japanese ingredients such as tuna, yuzu kosho, mentsuyu and nori.
In this guide, we explain what edamame pasta is, how to make two easy edamame pasta recipes, and some simple Japanese ways to enjoy these green soybeans.
What Is Edamame?
Edamame (枝豆) are immature soybeans harvested while they are still green and tender. In Japan, they are commonly boiled or steamed in their pods, lightly salted and eaten as a snack or side dish, particularly alongside beer at izakaya.
Only the beans inside are eaten; the fibrous pods are generally discarded. Shelled edamame can also be added to rice, noodles, soups and other dishes. For home cooking in Australia, frozen edamame are a convenient option and are available either in the pod or already shelled.
What Does "Edamame Pasta" Mean?
"Edamame pasta" can refer to two different foods. It may mean a regular wheat-based pasta dish containing edamame beans, or pasta made primarily from edamame itself, sometimes sold as edamame spaghetti, edamame fettuccine or soybean pasta. The recipes below use conventional pasta with edamame beans.
Easy Edamame Peperoncino Recipe
This simple edamame peperoncino combines spaghetti with edamame, garlic, chilli and olive oil. The mild flavour and slightly firm texture of the beans work well with fragrant garlic and the gentle heat of chilli.
- Serves: 2
- Preparation time: approximately 10 minutes
- Cooking time: approximately 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 100 g edamame in the pod
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 dried red chilli
- 200 g spaghetti
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, as needed
- Black pepper, to taste
How to Make Edamame Peperoncino
Step 1: Prepare the edamame, garlic and chilli
Cook the edamame in salted water according to the packet instructions, then remove the beans from the pods. Thinly slice the garlic. Remove the seeds from the dried chilli and slice it into thin rings.
Step 2: Cook the garlic and chilli
Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over low heat. Add the garlic and cook gently until lightly golden and fragrant, taking care not to burn it. Add the chilli and cook briefly.
Step 3: Cook the spaghetti
Cook the spaghetti in a large saucepan of salted boiling water according to the packet instructions until al dente, then drain.
Step 4: Combine
Add the spaghetti to the frying pan and toss with the garlic, chilli and olive oil. Add the shelled edamame, season with salt and black pepper, and toss again before serving.
Edamame and Tuna Pasta with Yuzu Kosho
For a Japanese-style variation, combine edamame with tuna, yuzu kosho, mentsuyu and nori. Yuzu kosho adds citrusy heat, while mentsuyu provides a savoury base.
- Serves: 2
- Preparation time: approximately 10 minutes
- Cooking time: approximately 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 200 g pasta
- 140 g canned tuna, approximately 2 × 70 g cans
- 100 g edamame in the pod
- 20 g butter
- 1 teaspoon yuzu kosho
- 3–4 tablespoons mentsuyu
- Shredded nori, to serve
How to Make Edamame and Tuna Pasta
Step 1: Cook the pasta
Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions, then drain.
Step 2: Prepare the other ingredients
Prepare the edamame according to the packet instructions and remove the beans from the pods. Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl and lightly drain the tuna, leaving a little oil for flavour.
Step 3: Combine
Place the edamame, tuna, melted butter, yuzu kosho and 3 tablespoons of mentsuyu in a large bowl. Add the cooked pasta and toss until evenly combined. Taste and add a little more mentsuyu if needed. Divide between two plates and finish with shredded nori.
What Is Yuzu Kosho?
Yuzu kosho is a Japanese condiment made with yuzu citrus peel, chilli and salt. It combines citrus aroma, saltiness and heat, so a small amount can add plenty of flavour. If you prefer less heat, start with a smaller amount and adjust to taste.
What Is Mentsuyu?
Mentsuyu is a Japanese noodle soup base commonly made with ingredients such as soy sauce, dashi and mirin. Although traditionally used with noodles such as soba and udon, it also works as a convenient seasoning for pasta. Concentration varies between products, so check the bottle instructions and adjust the amount accordingly.
What Ingredients Go Well With Edamame Pasta?
Edamame has a mild flavour that pairs easily with both Japanese seasonings and familiar pasta ingredients.
Garlic and Chilli
Garlic adds aroma and depth, while dried chilli provides gentle heat. Together with olive oil, they make a simple base for edamame peperoncino.
Miso and Soy Sauce
Miso and soy sauce can add a Japanese-style savoury flavour. Miso works well with butter and mushrooms, while a small splash of soy sauce pairs well with butter, spring onion and nori.
Mushrooms
Shiitake, oyster, button and Swiss brown mushrooms all pair well with edamame. Browning them first gives the pasta a deeper flavour.
Nori and Spring Onion
Shredded nori or sliced spring onion can be scattered over the finished pasta for an easy Japanese-inspired finish.
Can You Use Frozen Edamame for Pasta?
Yes. Frozen edamame are convenient for pasta and are commonly sold either in their pods or already shelled. If using edamame in the pod, prepare them according to the packet instructions and remove the beans before adding them to the pasta. Shelled edamame can be prepared according to the packet directions and added directly. Edamame pods are fibrous and are not normally eaten.
Easy Japanese Ways to Enjoy Edamame
In Japan, edamame are often enjoyed very simply, but they can also be added to familiar home-cooked dishes. Beyond pasta, here are a few easy ways to use them at home.
Salted Edamame
Cook edamame in their pods according to the packet instructions, drain and sprinkle lightly with salt. Serve warm or cool as a snack or side dish.
Edamame Onigiri
Mix warm Japanese rice with cooked edamame, salt and toasted sesame seeds, then shape into triangles or balls for an easy lunch or snack.
Edamame with Shio Kombu
Mix cooked shelled edamame with shio kombu for a quick Japanese-style side dish. Add a little sesame oil or toasted sesame seeds if you like.
Edamame Tamagoyaki
Adding cooked shelled edamame to tamagoyaki is an easy way to add colour and texture to the Japanese rolled omelette. The green beans stand out against the yellow egg, making it a colourful option for bento boxes and everyday meals.
Butter-Fried Edamame and Corn
Edamame and sweet corn can be quickly stir-fried in butter for a simple side dish. A small splash of soy sauce adds a Japanese-style savoury flavour, while the combination of green edamame and yellow corn makes the dish colourful and easy to serve alongside other foods.
Tips for Better Edamame Pasta
- Do not overcook the edamame; they should remain slightly firm.
- For peperoncino, cook the garlic gently over low heat to avoid burning it.
- Remove the chilli seeds for less heat or add more chilli if you prefer it spicy.
- Cook the spaghetti until al dente so it retains some bite.
- Mentsuyu varies in concentration, so check the bottle before using it.
- Miso, soy sauce, mentsuyu and yuzu kosho can all be salty, so taste before adding extra salt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is edamame pasta gluten-free?
Regular wheat pasta with edamame is not gluten-free. Some pasta products made primarily from edamame may be gluten-free, but ingredients vary between brands, so check the label if you need to avoid gluten.
Can you eat edamame cold?
Yes. Cooked edamame can be cooled and used in salads, rice dishes and onigiri. Frozen edamame should first be prepared according to the packet instructions.
Is edamame the same as green peas?
No. Edamame are young soybeans, while green peas come from a different plant. Their flavour, texture and nutritional composition are also different. Edamame are a soy food, which is important for people with a soy allergy.
Can you make edamame peperoncino without chilli?
Yes. Leave out the dried chilli for a milder garlic and olive oil pasta. It will not have the characteristic heat of peperoncino, but garlic, olive oil and edamame still work well together.
Summary
Edamame can be used for much more than the familiar salted snack. Their mild flavour works well in pasta and simple Japanese dishes, while frozen edamame make them easy to keep on hand.
- Try edamame peperoncino with garlic, chilli and olive oil.
- For a Japanese-style pasta, combine edamame with tuna, yuzu kosho, mentsuyu and nori.
- Edamame also pairs well with miso, soy sauce, mushrooms, corn and sesame.
- Simple Japanese options include salted edamame, edamame onigiri and edamame tamagoyaki.
- Edamame and corn can also be quickly stir-fried with butter and soy sauce for an easy side dish.
- The pods are fibrous and are generally not eaten.
From pasta and onigiri to tamagoyaki and simple side dishes, edamame are an easy ingredient to add to everyday meals.
