Sautéed Bok Choy with Garlic and Sesame
Bright green bok choy quickly sautéed with garlic and finished with toasted sesame oil for a simple yet flavorful side dish. This Chinese-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 12 minutes, pairs baby bok choy, garlic cloves, vegetable oil 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, halved lengthwise baby bok choy
- 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb halved baby bok choy to the skillet, cut sides down, and cook for 3 minutes until the leaves begin to wilt and the edges get slightly browned.
- Step 3: Toss the bok choy and pour in 1 tbsp soy sauce, stirring to coat evenly. Cook for an additional 2 minutes until stems are tender-crisp.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and drizzle 1 tsp toasted sesame oil over the bok choy, seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste. Toss gently and serve warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Bok Choy with Garlic and Sesame 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 Sautéed 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 baby bok choy from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed 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 Bok Choy with Garlic and Sesame 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 Sautéed 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.
