Crispy Garlic Bok Choy Stir Fry
A quick, fresh, and flavorful stir fry featuring crispy baby bok choy and fragrant garlic, perfect for weeknight dinners or as a vibrant side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) baby bok choy, fresh and crisp
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (canola or grapeseed recommended)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt to taste
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse 1 lb (450g) of baby bok choy thoroughly to remove any grit. Slice each stalk lengthwise into halves or quarters depending on size. Pat dry with paper towels to avoid excess water splattering during cooking.
- Peel and finely mince 4 cloves of garlic and grate 1 teaspoon of fresh ginger if using.
- Place your skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and let it heat until shimmering but not smoking.
- Add the minced garlic (and grated ginger) to the hot oil. Stir quickly and continuously for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Toss the bok choy into the pan, stirring to coat with the garlicky oil. Spread it out in an even layer and let it cook undisturbed for about 2 minutes to develop some crisp edges.
- Flip or stir the bok choy gently to cook the other side for another 2 minutes. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil over the greens. If you like heat, sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes now. Add a pinch of salt if needed.
- Continue cooking while stirring occasionally until the bok choy leaves are tender but still bright green and the stems have a slight bite—about 2-3 more minutes.
- Transfer to a serving plate and serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
Dry bok choy thoroughly before cooking to avoid sogginess. Cook on medium-high heat and avoid overcrowding the pan to achieve crispy edges. Keep garlic moving in the pan to prevent burning. Adjust soy sauce and red pepper flakes to taste. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated gently.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per serv
- Calories: 70
- Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 2
Keywords: bok choy stir fry, garlic bok choy, quick vegetable stir fry, easy side dish, healthy stir fry, gluten-free stir fry