Sautéed Asian Bok Choy with Garlic and Sesame

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

Tender baby bok choy quickly sautéed with garlic and toasted sesame for a simple, flavorful side dish. This asian-inspired vegetarian ready in about 13 minutes pairs baby bok choy, halved lengthwise, sesame oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 90 calories and feeds 4, 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: 8 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 90 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 lb halved baby bok choy and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the leaves are wilted and the stems are tender-crisp.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce and stir to coat the bok choy evenly; cook for an additional 1 minute until the sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat, season with 1/4 tsp black pepper, and sprinkle with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Asian Bok Choy with Garlic and Sesame take to make?

Total time is about 13 minutes (5 min prep + 8 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 Sautéed Asian Bok Choy with Garlic and Sesame?

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 sesame oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Asian Bok Choy with Garlic and Sesame?

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 Sautéed Asian Bok Choy with Garlic and Sesame for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Sautéed Asian Bok Choy with Garlic and Sesame 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.

Related recipes