If you've been wondering how to cook bok choy perfectly every single time, look no further than this simple recipe! This bok choy recipe combines the tender leafy green with garlic, shallots, soy sauce, sesame oil, and more to create a dish that's to die for.
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The Best Bok Choy Recipe
I'm not going to lie. This sauteed bok choy recipe has quickly become my new favorite side dish to make for the fam. Honestly, I can't stop making it - I'm obsessed. And I'm not the only one who can't get enough of it either; my 2-year-old Stella is just as obsessed with it as I am.
I guess it's not that surprising though, since this recipe is anything but your average plain old boring veggie recipe. It actually brings a ton of added umami flavor to the leafy green via the incredible stir-fry sauce it's sauteed in. The sauce also helps create a nice little char on the exterior of the bok choy that just takes it to a whole other level of deliciousness too.
Now, on top of being absolutely tasty, tasty this pan seared bok choy is also a breeze to make. In fact, all you have to do is toss all of the ingredients into your skillet and let 'em cook for about 10 minutes. It's really as simple as that!
By the way, if you're wondering what to eat with bok choy, my go-to is this beef and broccoli recipe. With that said, it also goes great with some thin pork chops, air fryer chicken breasts, or eye of round steak too.
Ingredients
- Vegetable oil- or any frying oil.
- Garlic cloves- minced for savory flavor.
- Shallots- two large ones minced for more flavor.
- Baby bok choy- six of them cut in half.
- Soy sauce
- Sesame oil
- Crushed red pepper or red pepper flakes- optional for some spice.
By the way, you can use most of these ingredients to make my Szechuan chicken and shrimp stir fry recipe as well. So, if you end up with some extra ingredients, I highly suggest you check those out as well!
How To Cook Bok Choy
Step 1: Saute The Garlic and Shallots
First, you'll want to take out a large wok - or skillet - and put it on the stovetop over medium high heat. Then, you'll want to add some vegetable oil or olive oil to the wok and swirl the oil around it so it coats the entire surface of the pan.
Next, you can add the garlic and shallots to the hot oil and cook them for about 1-2 minutes - or until they're fragrant. Oh, and you'll want to make sure that you stir the garlic and shallots frequently while they're cooking so they don't burn.
Step 2: Cook The Bok Choy
Add the bok choy, soy sauce, sesame oil, and any fresh ginger, fish sauce, oyster sauce, or other additional ingredients you want to use to the pan. Next, you can toss the bok choy to coat it in everything and put a lid on the pan. Let everything cook for about 1-2 minutes, then uncover it, toss it again, and cover it. Continue cooking the bok choy like this for about 3-5 minutes or until it's fork tender.
Step 3: Serve
As soon as it's cooked to perfection, you can serve it warm and sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes on top of it if you want to add a little heat to it, or you can add some sesame seeds on top of it for a little extra flavor. Enjoy!
How To Store Bok Choy
This recipe for bok choy will make 4 servings, and it's so delicious that I doubt you'll have any leftovers.
However, if you can't finish all of it, you can store your cooked bok choy in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3 days. Also, just keep in mind that bok choy doesn't freeze very well, so you'll want to eat it within a few days after cooking it.
How To Reheat Bok Choy
Whenever you're ready to eat the bok choy again, you'll definitely want to reheat it.
To reheat bok choy, simply cook it in a pan over low heat until it reaches your desired temperature.
Alternatively, to warm it up even quicker, you can reheat bok choy in the microwave. Just add it to a microwave-safe plate, cover it with a wet paper towel, and then cook it in 30-second intervals until it reaches your desired temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add chicken to this bok choy stir fry?
Absolutely, this stir fried bok choy really is the perfect base for adding other ingredients, particularly proteins. Chicken, beef, tofu, and pork are all great additions and can lift this classic side dish to a full meal.
Can I use large Bok Choy instead of baby Bok Choy?
Yes, you can use large bok choy instead of baby bok choy in this recipe. I use baby bok choy because it is usually a little sweeter, but if you can't find baby bok choy - or you just prefer large bok choy - you can definitely use it. Just make sure to cut the bok choy up a little so it cooks more evenly.
How do you prepare bok choy for cooking?
To prepare your bok choy for cooking, follow these 4 steps:
- Rinse: Hold your bok choy under running water and use your hands to scrub any dirt off of it. For baby bok choy, you can rinse the entire head under the running water, but for larger heads of bok choy, you may want to consider separating the leaves from the base - this just helps ensure it gets cleaned thoroughly.
- Trim: Using a sharp knife, trim off the end of the bok choy's stem. Also, if you're working with larger bok choy, you can also remove any tough or discolored outer leaves.
- Cut: Depending on what the recipe calls for, you can cut the bok choy in various ways. For instance, cutting baby bok choy lengthwise is a popular choice for a lot of saute and stir fry recipes, whereas chopping the stems and leaves into bite-sized pieces is a more preferred prep method for larger pieces.
- Pat dry: If your recipe requires sautéing or stir-frying, it's a good idea to pat your bok choy dry with a clean kitchen towel - or paper towel - to remove excess water from it. This will help ensure it cooks evenly.
Which part of bok choy do you eat?
You can eat both the leaves and stem of the bok choy. The two will have slightly different flavors, but you can eat the entire thing!
More Vegetable Recipes
If you enjoyed this bok choy recipe and are looking for more delicious veggie recipes, I have a ton on the blog that I think you'll like just as much.
Give one of these a shot next:
How To Cook Bok Choy and Make It Taste Delicious In 10 Minutes
If you've been wondering how to cook bok choy perfectly every single time, look no further than this simple recipe! This bok choy recipe combines the tender leafy green with garlic, shallots, soy sauce, sesame oil, and more to create a dish that's to die for.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. vegetable oil
- 5 cloves minced garlic
- 2 large minced shallots
- 6 baby bok choy (cut in half)
- 2 tbsp. soy sauce
- 1 tsp. sesame oil
- 1 tsp. crushed red pepper or red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Add the oil to a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat.
- Swirl to coat the entire surface of the pan. Add the garlic and shallots, stirring continuously for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.
- Add the bok choy, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Toss to coat and cover the bok choy. Cook for 1-2 minutes, uncover and toss, and then cover and continue to cook until bok choy is cooked to desired doneness (approximately 3-5 minutes more).
- Sprinkle it with crushed red pepper and serve immediately.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1 Baby Bok ChoyAmount Per Serving: Calories: 66Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 6g
Absolutely delish.