10 Minute Garlic Bok Choy Recipe (2024)

Jump to Recipe

Crisp, fresh, and bursting with loads of unexpected flavor, this Garlic Bok Choy Recipe is guaranteed to be your new favorite side dish. Ready in just 10 minutes, enjoy this easy vegetarian side dish with chicken, beef, or fish.

10 Minute Garlic Bok Choy Recipe (1)

Sometimes the simplest things are the best things. This Garlic Bok Choy Recipe- totally simple, easy, and delicious– is made with just a handful of ingredients including ginger, garlic, and soy sauce. Ready in just 10 minutes, all you need is a hot skillet and a spatula.

What is Bok Choy (Pak Choy)

Bok choy, also known as pakchoy or pokchoi, is a type of Chinese cabbage, that has smooth, wide, flat leaf blades at one end with the other end forming a cluster similar to that of celery. May be eaten cooked or raw.

What is the between Bok Choy and Baby Bok Choy?

Since several of you have asked, I did a little research and this is what I have found.

  • They are basically the same.
  • The difference is that baby bok choy is harvested earlier producing smaller, more tender leaves.
  • This means thatbaby bok choy is much sweeterthan and is often served directly in soup or in salads.
  • Bok choy, on the other hand, is much heartier, perfect for longer cooking times as in stir-frys.

Bok Choy Nutrition

Bok Choy is high in nutrients and low in carbohydrates. As such, it is an excellent option when trying to eat more healthy, low-calorie foods.

  • 1 cup raw bok choy- 1.5 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram fiber, 9 calories

High in fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, and beta-carotene, this wildly popular green is also an excellent source of folate, calcium, and vitamin B6. It is also considered both a cruciferous vegetable and a leafy green vegetable.

10 Minute Garlic Bok Choy Recipe (2)

Ingredients in this Garlic Bok Choy Recipe

  • oil
  • garlic
  • shallots
  • baby bok choy
  • soy sauce
  • sesame oil
  • crushed red pepper (optional)

If you prefer a more mild vegetable side dish, I recommend skipping the crushed red pepper. In my experience, even with jarred, store-bought crushed red pepper, the heat level can be somewhat unpredictable, so unless you love a little extra heat, leave it out.

Other fantastic additions would include crushed ginger, a splash of fish sauce, or a sweet chili dipping sauce.

10 Minute Garlic Bok Choy Recipe (3)

How to cook bok choy

  1. We want to keep our baby bok choy somewhat intact, so the first thing we want to do is either halve or quarter each stalk (depending on the size of the bok choy) and wash under cold running water.
  2. Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add the oil. Swirl to coat the entire surface of the pan. As soon as the oil is hot, add the garlic and the shallots, and sautè for 1-2 minutes, stirring continuously.
  3. Add the bok choy, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Toss and cover. Cook for approximately 2 minutes before uncovering, tossing, and covering. Continue to cook the bok choy until white parts reach desired doneness (I have found that this varies from person to person as some people prefer crunchier bok choy, while others prefer a more well-done stir-fry).
  4. Sprinkle with crushed red pepper, if using, and drizzle with additional sesame oil, if desired.

What to serve with bok choy

Aside from how easy this recipe is to make, one of my favorite parts about it is that it goes with just about everything!

  • Add some shrimp for a low carb, high protein meal.
  • Serve with your favorite chicken or steak and a side of rice.
  • Add onions, carrots, bell pepper, and broccoli for a veggie-packed stir-fry the whole family will love.
  • Toss with ramen and drizzle with chili sauce for a meal guaranteed to taste better than take-out.

10 Minute Garlic Bok Choy Recipe (4)

If you try making this 10 Minute Garlic Bok Choy Recipe, please leave me a comment and let me know!I always love to hear your thoughts.

For morebok choy recipescheck out,

  • Ginger Garlic Noodle Soup with Bok Choy (Bok Choy Soup)<— reader favorite!
  • Easy Sheet Pan Thai Chicken with Bok Choy
  • Sweet Chili Tofu with Coconut Rice and Bok Choy
  • Spicy Stir Fried Tofu with Bok Choy
  • Udon Noodle Soup with Bok Choy and Poached Egg

For moreAsian-inspired recipes check out,

  • Easy Korean Beef Bibimbap Recipe (Mixed Rice)
  • Easy Thai Fried Rice Recipe (Khao Phat Kaphrao)
  • Bulgogi Korean BBQ Beef Lettuce Wraps
  • Pho Recipe- How to Make Vietnamese Noodle Soup
  • Kimchi Ramen Noodle Soup (30 minutes)

10 Minute Garlic Bok Choy Recipe (5)

RECIPE CARD

10 Minute Garlic Bok Choy Recipe (6)

10 Minute Garlic Bok Choy Recipe

4.86 from 2815 votes

AuthorAuthor: 10 Minute Garlic Bok Choy Recipe (7)Jessica Randhawa

Crisp, fresh, and bursting with loads of unexpected flavor, this Garlic Bok Choy Recipe is guaranteed to be your new favorite side dish.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe Save

Prep Time 2 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Asian

Servings 6 as a side

Calories 54 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 5 cloves garlic - minced
  • 2 large shallots - minced
  • 2 pounds baby bok choy - halved or quartered
  • 2 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper - optional

Instructions

  • Add the oil to a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Swirl to coat the entire surface of the pan. Add the garlic and shallots, stirring continuously for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant.

  • Add the bok choy, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Toss to coat and cover. Cook for 1-2 minutes, uncover and toss, and then cover and continue to cook until bok choy is cooked to desired doneness (approximately 3-5 minutes more).

  • Sprinkle with crushed red pepper and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Jessica's Notes

  • You may use bok choy or baby bok choy for this recipe. If you use bok choy, I recommend chopping into smaller pieces to expeditecooking time.
  • To make this recipe gluten-free, substituteregular soy sauce with gluten-free Tamari.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 54kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 439mg | Potassium: 29mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 6825IU | Vitamin C: 68.8mg | Calcium: 171mg | Iron: 1.3mg

(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)

Keyword Baby Bok Choy, Bok Choy

Did You Make This Recipe? Tag it Today!Mention @theforkedspoon or tag #theforkedspoon and please leave your star rating in the comment section below.

10 Minute Garlic Bok Choy Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long does bok choy need to be cooked for? ›

Cook for about 6 minutes until the base of the bok choy is slightly tender. Test it with the tip of a knife, then serve. For best results, trim the stalks off before boiling, as the stalks take longer to cook than the leaves.

Should I soak bok choy before cooking? ›

The simplest way to prep bok choy is to cut it in half lengthwise and submerge it in cold water for a few minutes. This will soften the dirt and allow you to remove it easily. Drain the water, check for dirt between the stalks, and run each half of bok choy under cold water.

What is the best way to eat bok choy? ›

Bok choy, a Chinese cabbage, is tender, sweet, and stands up well to heat — making it perfect for stir-frying. Cook it simply with garlic, black bean sauce, or shiitake mushrooms for a delicious side dish, or incorporate it into a frittata or bowl of ramen for a more substantial bite.

Are you supposed to eat the whole bok choy? ›

You can consume all parts of the bok choy plant, including its white stems and green leaves. Here are some ideas for how to prepare and eat bok choy: Chop it and sauté it with olive oil, garlic, and ginger as a side dish or to top a grain like rice or quinoa. Dice it and add it to an Asian-inspired soup recipe.

How do you know when bok choy is done? ›

Add the bok choy and stir over medium heat until the leaves wilt and turn light brown around the edges. Add salt and pepper lightly or soy sauce, and 1 cup of vegetable stock. Cover the skillet tightly and simmer until the bok choy is just tender about 15 to 20 minutes.

Is bok choy better steamed or boiled? ›

The best way to eat bok choy is to lightly steam or stir-fry it to retain its crisp texture. Overcooking makes it mushy. Bok choy has a delicious, mild flavor that pairs well with garlic, ginger, sesame oil, oyster sauce, soy sauce, chiles, or Whole30 peanut sauce.

What part of bok choy do you not eat? ›

Traditional bok choy has dark, crinkly leaves and crisp, white stems; Shanghai bok choy has spoon-shaped leaves and jade green stems. The cool thing is that both the leaves and the stalks can be eaten, and this wonderful little plant is an excellent go-to for fiber, as well as for beta-carotene and vitamins C, K and A.

How do you get the bitter taste out of bok choy? ›

Acidity can really bring a pleasant flavor out of bitter greens. If they're being used for a salad, it's good to add a vinaigrette with plenty of acidity to brighten it up. If you are sauteing, add some vinegar or citrus to the greens to finish them off.

Is bok choy good for high blood pressure? ›

The vegetable is also high in potassium, magnesium, and calcium, all of which help to reduce your blood pressure naturally. Some studies show that eating sufficient potassium can help to lower sodium-induced high blood pressure.

Why is bok choy so expensive? ›

Apart from a small supply volume from the northeast, most bok choy comes from Hebei production areas. The production volume there is significantly reduced. In addition, the bok choy season in the northeast is almost over, while the season in Hebei is just starting.

Why is bok choy so good? ›

Bok choy is rich in vitamins A (supports eye health), C (boosts immune function), and K (promotes bone and heart health). It's also a good source of potassium, which can lower your blood pressure and risk of stroke, and calcium, which is essential to build and maintain strong bones.

Which is healthier spinach or bok choy? ›

In equivalent raw weight, bok choy contains more vitamin C, vitamin A, and some other nutrients than spinach and around the same amount of calcium. Spinach, however, contains higher amounts of some other nutrients, including vitamin K, than bok choy.

Is bok choy anti inflammatory? ›

Bok choy offers many health benefits through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It may support cardiovascular and bone health while potentially reducing the risk of certain types of cancer.

How long does bok choy last in the fridge? ›

How to store bok choy. Bok choy can be refrigerated for 3 to 7 days. Place the unwashed bok choy in a breathable plastic bag in the crisper. If you need to store the bok choy for a longer period of time, you can boil it in water for 2 minutes and then rinse with cold water and place the bok choy in the freezer.

Is bok choy supposed to be soft when cooked? ›

The whole bok choy is edible. Bok choy stalks are crisp and have a mild flavor whereas the crinkly leaves are tender after they are cooked a little bit.

Is bok choy healthier raw or cooked? ›

Raw bok choy, like all cruciferous vegetables, contains an enzyme called myrosinase. Myrosinase can hinder thyroid function by preventing the body from absorbing iodine. Cooking deactivates it.

Is boiling bok choy healthy? ›

May reduce the risk of cancer

A meta-analysis and review of research in the journal Food Chemistry found that eating 100 grams of cruciferous vegetables, such as bok choy, every day was associated with a 10% reduction in the risk of death from any cause. (100 grams of cooked bok choy is a little more than a half-cup.)

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rev. Leonie Wyman

Last Updated:

Views: 6099

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rev. Leonie Wyman

Birthday: 1993-07-01

Address: Suite 763 6272 Lang Bypass, New Xochitlport, VT 72704-3308

Phone: +22014484519944

Job: Banking Officer

Hobby: Sailing, Gaming, Basketball, Calligraphy, Mycology, Astronomy, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Rev. Leonie Wyman, I am a colorful, tasty, splendid, fair, witty, gorgeous, splendid person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.