Stir-Fried Shanghai Bok Choy with Garlic and Ground Pork
Quick wok stir-fry of tender Shanghai bok choy and savory ground pork with fragrant garlic and a touch of soy sauce for a healthy weeknight meal. This chinese-inspired stir fry ready in about 20 minutes pairs Shanghai bok choy, ground pork, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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
- 1 lb Shanghai bok choy
- 6 oz ground pork
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, minced
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp white pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse and chop 1 lb Shanghai bok choy into 2-inch pieces, separating stalks and leaves.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 6 oz ground pork and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until browned and starting to crisp.
- Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp minced ginger to the pork, stirring for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
- Step 4: Add the bok choy stalks first and stir-fry for 2 minutes until they begin to soften, then add bok choy leaves, 2 tbsp light soy sauce, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp white pepper.
- Step 5: Stir-fry everything together for another 2-3 minutes until the leaves are wilted and stalks are tender-crisp.
- Step 6: Drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil over the dish, toss to combine, and immediately serve with steamed rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Shanghai Bok Choy with Garlic and Ground Pork 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 Shanghai Bok Choy with Garlic and Ground Pork?
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 shanghai bok choy from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Shanghai Bok Choy with Garlic and Ground Pork?
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 Shanghai Bok Choy with Garlic and Ground Pork 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.
What goes well with Stir-Fried Shanghai Bok Choy with Garlic and Ground Pork?
Chinese stir fry 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Amazing recipe! So simple and flavorful. Made it for dinner and everyone loved it.
- ★★★★☆
Perfect for a weeknight! My kids devoured it. Only thing: the garlic was a bit too strong for my taste.
- ★★★★☆
Loved the flavor, but the pork was a bit dry. Next time I'll use ground chicken.
Equipment for this recipe
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