Stir-Fried Lotus Root and Snow Peas with Garlic
Crunchy lotus root and fresh snow peas stir-fried with fragrant garlic and a light soy sauce dressing for a refreshing vegetable side. This chinese-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 20 minutes pairs trimmed snow peas, thinly sliced garlic, 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.
Ingredients
- 300 g peeled and sliced 1/4 inch thick lotus root
- 200 g trimmed snow peas
- 4 cloves thinly sliced garlic
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat until hot. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Add 300 g sliced lotus root and stir-fry for 4 minutes until edges begin to crisp and lotus root is tender but still crunchy.
- Step 3: Add 200 g snow peas, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1/4 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp water to create steam. Cover and cook for 2 minutes until snow peas turn bright green and crisp-tender.
- Step 4: Remove lid, stir in 1 tsp sesame oil, toss quickly, and turn off heat.
- Step 5: Transfer to a serving dish immediately to preserve the vibrant colors and crunch.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Lotus Root and Snow Peas with Garlic take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 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 Stir-Fried Lotus Root and Snow Peas with Garlic?
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 trimmed snow peas from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Lotus Root and Snow Peas with Garlic?
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 Lotus Root and Snow Peas with Garlic for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 Stir-Fried Lotus Root and Snow Peas with Garlic 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.
