Simple Stir-Fried Garlic Bok Choy with Sesame
A quick and light stir-fry featuring crisp bok choy tossed with garlic and toasted sesame seeds for a nutritious side dish. This asian-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian, gluten free) ready in about 10 minutes pairs halved lengthwise baby bok choy, 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 80 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
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 cloves, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb halved baby bok choy and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, tossing constantly, until the greens are wilted but stems remain crisp.
- Step 3: Pour in 1 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tsp sesame oil, stirring to coat the bok choy evenly. Season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds over the top before serving immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Simple Stir-Fried Garlic Bok Choy with Sesame take to make?
Total time is about 10 minutes (5 min prep + 5 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 Simple Stir-Fried 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 vegetable oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Simple Stir-Fried 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 Simple Stir-Fried Garlic Bok Choy with 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 Simple Stir-Fried Garlic Bok Choy with Sesame vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
