Soy-Glazed Bok Choy with Garlic and Toasted Sesame Seeds

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

Quickly sautéed baby bok choy coated in a savory soy glaze with fragrant garlic and finished with crunchy toasted sesame seeds. This chinese (vegetarian) ready in about 15 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 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: 10 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 90 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil 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.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb halved baby bok choy to the skillet, stirring gently to coat with garlic oil; cook for 3 minutes until the leaves begin to wilt.
  3. Step 3: Stir together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 2 tbsp water, then pour over the bok choy. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes until the bok choy is tender and the sauce thickens slightly.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat, drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil over the bok choy, sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper, then toss gently.
  5. Step 5: Serve immediately as a flavorful vegetable side dish.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Soy-Glazed Bok Choy with Garlic and Toasted Sesame Seeds take to make?

Total time is about 15 minutes (5 min prep + 10 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 Soy-Glazed Bok Choy with Garlic and Toasted Sesame Seeds?

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 Soy-Glazed Bok Choy with Garlic and Toasted Sesame Seeds?

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 Soy-Glazed Bok Choy with Garlic and Toasted Sesame Seeds 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 Soy-Glazed Bok Choy with Garlic and Toasted Sesame Seeds 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.

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