Stir-Fried Garlic Choy Sum with Oyster Sauce
Fresh choy sum quickly stir-fried with garlic and finished with a rich oyster sauce glaze for a vibrant vegetable side. This Chinese-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 12 minutes, pairs fresh choy sum, garlic cloves, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 70 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
- 1 lb trimmed and washed fresh choy sum
- 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp light soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tsp sesame oil
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking, then add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb trimmed and washed fresh choy sum, tossing continuously for 1-2 minutes until the leaves begin to wilt but stems remain crisp.
- Step 3: Stir together 2 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tsp light soy sauce, 1/2 tsp sugar, and 2 tbsp water, then pour over the choy sum, stirring rapidly to coat everything evenly.
- Step 4: Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and clings to the vegetables.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil over the dish for aroma, toss lightly, then transfer to a serving plate while still hot.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Garlic Choy Sum with Oyster Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 12 minutes (5 min prep + 7 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 Stir-Fried Garlic Choy Sum with Oyster Sauce?
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 fresh choy sum from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Garlic Choy Sum with Oyster Sauce?
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 Stir-Fried Garlic Choy Sum with Oyster Sauce 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.
What goes well with Stir-Fried Garlic Choy Sum with Oyster Sauce?
Chinese vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
