Wok-Seared Bok Choy with Garlic and Soy Glaze
Tender bok choy leaves stir-fried with fresh garlic and finished with a savory soy glaze, perfect as a quick side dish. This Asian-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 12 minutes, pairs bok choy, garlic cloves, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 70 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
- 400 grams bok choy
- 4 cloves garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp water
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 400 grams of bok choy and slice into halves lengthwise; peel and finely mince 4 garlic cloves. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Add the minced garlic to the wok and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Immediately add the bok choy halves and stir-fry for 2 minutes until the leaves are wilted and the stalks are bright green and slightly tender.
- Step 3: Mix 3 tablespoons of light soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons of water in a small bowl. Pour this mixture over the bok choy and stir for an additional 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the greens. Drizzle 1 teaspoon of sesame oil over the dish before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Wok-Seared Bok Choy with Garlic and Soy Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 12 minutes (5 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 Wok-Seared Bok Choy with Garlic and Soy Glaze?
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 bok choy from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Wok-Seared Bok Choy with Garlic and Soy Glaze?
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 Wok-Seared Bok Choy with Garlic and Soy Glaze 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.
Is Wok-Seared Bok Choy with Garlic and Soy Glaze 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.
