Stir-Fried Morning Glory with Garlic and Chilies

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Bright green morning glory stir-fried quickly with fragrant garlic and spicy chilies for a simple yet flavorful Vietnamese vegetable side. This vietnamese-inspired vegetarian ready in about 15 minutes pairs thinly sliced garlic cloves, thinly sliced red bird's eye chilies, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 80 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 5 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 80 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 2 thinly sliced red bird's eye chilies, stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb washed and trimmed morning glory stems and leaves. Stir-fry quickly for 2 minutes until wilted but still bright green.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tsp sugar, and 2 tbsp water. Toss everything together and cook for another 1 minute until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the greens. Serve immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Morning Glory with Garlic and Chilies take to make?

Total time is about 15 minutes (10 min prep + 5 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 Morning Glory with Garlic and Chilies?

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 thinly sliced garlic cloves from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Morning Glory with Garlic and Chilies?

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 Morning Glory with Garlic and Chilies 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 Morning Glory with Garlic and Chilies?

Vietnamese 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.

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