Sautéed Garlic Bok Choy with Sesame
Tender baby bok choy quickly sautéed with garlic and finished with toasted sesame seeds for a simple, flavorful side dish. This asian-inspired vegetarian (vegan, gluten free) ready in about 11 minutes pairs halved lengthwise baby bok choy, thinly sliced garlic cloves, sesame oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 70 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, halved lengthwise baby bok choy
- 4, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil and 1 tbsp sesame oil together in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 4 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 side down first. Cook without stirring for 2 minutes until the edges begin to crisp and brown.
- Step 3: Flip the bok choy and add 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Sauté for another 2 minutes until the bok choy is tender but still vibrant green.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds evenly over the bok choy. Serve immediately as a warm side dish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Garlic Bok Choy with Sesame take to make?
Total time is about 11 minutes (5 min prep + 6 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 Garlic Bok Choy with 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 thinly sliced garlic cloves from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Garlic Bok Choy with 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 Garlic Bok Choy with 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 Garlic Bok Choy with Sesame vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
