Stir-Fried Bitter Melon with Garlic and Soy

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-29 · Updated 2026-06-29

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A classic Asian stir-fry highlighting the unique sharp bitterness of melon balanced with savory garlic and soy sauce. This Asian-inspired stir-fry recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 20 minutes, pairs bitter melon, sliced 1/4 inch thick, garlic cloves, minced, 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 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 3 Asian cuisine 90 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 medium (about 300 g) bitter melon, sliced 1/4 inch thick
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp sugar
2 tbsp water
2 tbsp green onions, chopped

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Instructions

Step 1: Using a spoon, scoop out and discard seeds from 2 medium bitter melons, then slice into 1/4 inch thick pieces.
Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 3: Add sliced bitter melon and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until it softens but retains some crunch.
Step 4: Mix in 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 2 tablespoons water. Continue cooking another 2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly and coats the bitter melon pieces.
Step 5: Drizzle 1 teaspoon sesame oil and sprinkle 2 tablespoons chopped green onions. Toss to combine and serve immediately with steamed rice.