Vegetarian Stir-Fried Morning Glory with Garlic and Chili
A simple yet flavorful Vietnamese vegetable stir-fry showcasing tender morning glory greens with aromatic garlic and fresh chili heat. This vietnamese-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 10 minutes pairs thinly sliced garlic cloves, finely chopped bird's eye chili, 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, washed and cut into 3-inch lengths morning glory (water spinach)
- 5, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 2, finely chopped bird's eye chili
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 tbsp vegetable broth or water
- 1 tsp sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 2 finely chopped bird's eye chilies, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb washed and cut morning glory stems and leaves to the wok. Stir-fry vigorously for 1 minute, tossing to coat in garlic and chili.
- Step 3: Pour in 2 tbsp soy sauce, 3 tbsp vegetable broth or water, and sprinkle 1 tsp sugar. Continue stir-frying for another 2 minutes until the leaves wilt and stems turn bright green but remain crisp.
- Step 4: Remove from heat immediately to prevent overcooking and transfer to a serving plate. Serve hot as a side dish with steamed rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Vegetarian Stir-Fried Morning Glory with Garlic and Chili 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 Vegetarian Stir-Fried Morning Glory with Garlic and Chili?
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 Vegetarian Stir-Fried Morning Glory with Garlic and Chili?
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 Vegetarian Stir-Fried Morning Glory with Garlic and Chili 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.
Is Vegetarian Stir-Fried Morning Glory with Garlic and Chili vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
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