Stir-Fried Bitter Melon with Garlic & Tamarind Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-06 · Updated 2026-04-06

A classic Southeast Asian dish that transforms bitter melon's intensity into a savory-sweet harmony with tamarind, garlic, and chili. This Asian recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs bitter melon, garlic, red chili for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 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.

Ingredients

• 2 medium (300g), sliced 1/4-inch thick bitter melon
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 1, finely sliced red chili
• 2 tbsp tamarind paste
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh cilantro

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat, add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 sliced red chili, and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add 300g sliced bitter melon and stir-fry for 3 minutes, then add 1/4 cup water, cover, and steam over medium-low heat for 5 minutes until tender but crisp.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk 2 tbsp tamarind paste, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1/4 cup water until dissolved, then pour over bitter melon and stir to coat.
4. Step 4: Cook uncovered for 2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly, then remove from heat and sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro.