Sautéed Snow Peas with Garlic and Toasted Sesame
A simple and fresh vegetable side dish featuring crunchy snow peas sautéed with garlic and finished with toasted sesame seeds for nuttiness. This chinese-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 11 minutes pairs trimmed snow peas, vegetable oil, thinly sliced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 90 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 10 oz, trimmed snow peas
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 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 10 oz trimmed snow peas and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the snow peas are bright green and tender-crisp.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, and 1/4 tsp salt; toss to coat evenly and cook for another minute.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds over the top. Serve immediately as a fresh crunchy side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Snow Peas with Garlic and Toasted 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 Snow Peas with Garlic and Toasted 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 trimmed snow peas from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Snow Peas with Garlic and Toasted 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 Snow Peas with Garlic and Toasted Sesame for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Snow Peas with Garlic and Toasted 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.
