Stir-Fried Water Spinach with Sambal and Garlic
A vibrant and spicy stir-fry of crisp water spinach tossed with fragrant garlic and fiery sambal chili paste. This asian-inspired vegetarian ready in about 17 minutes pairs vegetable oil, garlic cloves, thinly sliced, sambal oelek (chili paste) for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 70 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.
Ingredients
- 8 cups water spinach (kangkung), washed and chopped
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 5 cloves garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp sambal oelek (chili paste)
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok over high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 2 tbsp sambal oelek and stir for another 15 seconds to release the chilies’ aroma.
- Step 4: Toss in 8 cups chopped water spinach and stir-fry vigorously for 1 minute until the leaves begin to wilt.
- Step 5: Add 1 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tsp sugar, and 2 tbsp water. Stir well and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the stems are tender but still crisp.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and serve immediately as a spicy vegetable side dish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Water Spinach with Sambal and Garlic take to make?
Total time is about 17 minutes (10 min prep + 7 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 Water Spinach with Sambal and 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 vegetable oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Water Spinach with Sambal and 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 Water Spinach with Sambal and Garlic 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 Water Spinach with Sambal and Garlic?
Asian 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.
