String Beans with Ground Beef - Saltado de Vainitas - is a dish made with string/green beans steamed over deliciously seasoned meat and onions. Simple to prepare and makes a fantastic meal any time of the week. Uses my homemade sazón seasoning.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until it renders its fat and loses its pink color. It doesn't have to fully cook since it will continue to cook with the string beans. Remove the ground beef with slotted spoon and set aside in a bowl.
Drain the fat from the skillet.
Add oil into the skillet and sauté onions until translucent and just starting to turn golden. Scrape up any bits from hamburger.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for a minute until fragrant.
Add the hamburger back into the skillet and season with the remaining spices.
Add in the tomato paste and stir until it loses its bright red color.
Stir in the water and soy sauce.
Place beans on top of ground beef. Cover the skillet, reduce heat to medium, and cook until string beans are tender - about 15 - 20 minutes.
*If you want to use granulated garlic rather than fresh, it is perfectly fine. Use 1 ½ teaspoons instead of 1 tablespoon of fresh minced. If using granulated garlic, add along with the other spices.I make this dish using my Homemade Sazón Seasoning, but you can use the packets if you wish.If serving with my Perfect Rice, start cooking rice when string beans are added to the meat. By the time the rice is done, the meal will be all ready.