Kale and Radicchio Stir-Fry with Garlic and Bitter Melon

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-01 · Updated 2026-07-01

A quick stir-fry blending the bitterness of kale, radicchio, and bitter melon with aromatic garlic and soy for a savory vegetable dish. This Asian Fusion-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs bitter melon, sliced thin, kale leaves, chopped, radicchio, chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 110 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.

Ingredients

• 1 cup bitter melon, sliced thin
• 2 cups kale leaves, chopped
• 1 cup radicchio, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/4 tsp red chili flakes
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

The wok we’d stir-fry this in → Best Woks for 2026: Carbon Steel, Nonstick & Flat-Bottom Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red chili flakes, stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
2. Step 2: Add 1 cup thinly sliced bitter melon and stir-fry for 3 minutes until it softens slightly but retains some bite.
3. Step 3: Toss in 2 cups chopped kale and 1 cup chopped radicchio, stir-frying for 4-5 minutes until greens are wilted but still vibrant.
4. Step 4: Season with 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper, then drizzle 1 tbsp sesame oil over the vegetables and toss to combine.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and serve immediately as a bold-flavored side dish with a pleasant bitter edge.