Stir-Fried Bitter Melon with Garlic and Oyster Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-23 · Updated 2026-05-23

A classic Asian stir-fry featuring bitter melon sautéed with garlic and seasoned with oyster sauce for a savory, slightly bitter vegetable side dish. This Asian-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs bitter melon, garlic cloves, vegetable oil 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

• 1 medium (about 200g), sliced thinly bitter melon
• 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse and slice 1 medium bitter melon into thin half-moons, removing seeds to reduce bitterness.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add 3 minced garlic cloves and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add the sliced bitter melon and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until it begins to soften and edges turn slightly translucent.
4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1/4 cup water, 1 tsp sugar, and 1/4 tsp salt, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the bitter melon.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and serve immediately as a savory, bitter vegetable side dish.