Stir-Fried Sweet Potato Leaves with Garlic

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

A vibrant Cantonese vegetable side dish featuring tender sweet potato leaves quickly stir-fried with fragrant garlic for a fresh, savory flavor. This chinese-inspired vegetarian ready in about 10 minutes pairs grams sweet potato leaves, garlic cloves, tablespoons vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 60 calories and feeds 2, 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: 5 min Cook: 5 min Serves 2 Chinese cuisine 60 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 200 grams of sweet potato leaves thoroughly and drain well, removing tough stems if present.
  2. Step 2: Peel and finely mince 4 garlic cloves.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the minced garlic and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Step 4: Add the sweet potato leaves to the wok, tossing continuously for 2-3 minutes until just wilted and tender, maintaining their bright green color.
  5. Step 5: Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon light soy sauce, stirring to combine and cook for an additional 30 seconds until the seasoning is evenly distributed.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and serve immediately to preserve the fresh flavors.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Sweet Potato Leaves with Garlic take to make?

Total time is about 10 minutes (5 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 Sweet Potato Leaves 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 grams sweet potato leaves from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Sweet Potato Leaves 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 Sweet Potato Leaves with Garlic for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Sweet Potato Leaves with Garlic?

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.

Related recipes