Crisp Stir-Fried Bok Choy with Garlic and Chili

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Bright and crisp bok choy stir-fried with fragrant garlic and a hint of chili for a quick, flavorful vegetable side. This Asian-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 12 minutes, pairs baby bok choy, vegetable oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 70 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 7 min Serves 3 Asian cuisine 70 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb halved baby bok choy, tossing quickly to coat with oil and aromatics. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until leaves are wilted but stalks remain crisp and bright green.
  3. Step 3: Drizzle 2 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tsp sesame oil over bok choy, sprinkle with 1/4 tsp salt, and toss for another 30 seconds to evenly distribute flavors before serving immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Crisp Stir-Fried Bok Choy with Garlic and Chili take to make?

Total time is about 12 minutes (5 min prep + 7 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Crisp Stir-Fried Bok Choy with Garlic and Chili?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep baby bok choy from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Crisp Stir-Fried Bok Choy with Garlic and Chili?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Crisp Stir-Fried Bok Choy with Garlic and Chili for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Crisp Stir-Fried Bok Choy with Garlic and Chili vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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