Stir-Fried Northern Chinese Cabbage with Garlic and Chili

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-09 · Updated 2026-05-09

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 quick and flavorful stir fry featuring crisp northern Chinese cabbage tossed with garlic and chili for a vibrant, spicy side dish. This Asian fusion recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 20 minutes, pairs northern Chinese cabbage (Napa cabbage), vegetable oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 90 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: 10 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 90 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 lb, chopped into 2-inch pieces northern Chinese cabbage (Napa cabbage)
2 tbsp vegetable oil
5, thinly sliced garlic cloves
1 tsp dried red chili flakes
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tsp sesame oil
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp white pepper
2, sliced, for garnish green onions

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Instructions

Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering.
Step 2: Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1 tsp dried red chili flakes, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
Step 3: Add 1 lb chopped northern Chinese cabbage and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until the cabbage softens but still has a slight crunch.
Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp white pepper, continuing to toss the cabbage for another 2 minutes until the sauce coats the leaves evenly.
Step 5: Remove from heat and drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil over the cabbage, tossing gently.
Step 6: Garnish with 2 sliced green onions and serve immediately as a spicy, savory side.