Crisp, fresh, and bursting with loads of unexpected flavor, this Garlic Bok Choy Recipe is guaranteed to be your new favorite side dish. Ready in just 10 minutes, enjoy this easy vegetarian side dish with chicken, beef, or fish.
Sometimes the simplest things are the best things. This Garlic Bok Choy Recipe- totally simple, easy, and delicious– is made with just a handful of ingredients including ginger, garlic, and soy sauce. Ready in just 10 minutes, all you need is a hot skillet and a spatula.
What is Bok Choy (Pak Choy)
Bok choy, also known as pak choy or pok choi, is a type of Chinese cabbage, that has smooth, wide, flat leaf blades at one end with the other end forming a cluster similar to that of celery. May be eaten cooked or raw.
What is the between Bok Choy and Baby Bok Choy?
Since several of you have asked, I did a little research and this is what I have found.
- They are basically the same.
- The difference is that baby bok choy is harvested earlier producing smaller, more tender leaves.
- This means that baby bok choy is much sweeter than and is often served directly in soup or in salads.
- Bok choy, on the other hand, is much heartier, perfect for longer cooking times as in stir-frys.
Bok Choy Nutrition
Bok Choy is high in nutrients and low in carbohydrates. As such, it is an excellent option when trying to eat more healthy, low-calorie foods.
- 1 cup raw bok choy- 1.5 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram fiber, 9 calories
High in fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, and beta-carotene, this wildly popular green is also an excellent source of folate, calcium, and vitamin B6. It is also considered both a cruciferous vegetable and a leafy green vegetable.
Ingredients in this Garlic Bok Choy Recipe
- oil
- garlic
- shallots
- baby bok choy
- soy sauce
- sesame oil
- crushed red pepper (optional)
If you prefer a more mild vegetable side dish, I recommend skipping the crushed red pepper. In my experience, even with jarred, store-bought crushed red pepper, the heat level can be somewhat unpredictable, so unless you love a little extra heat, leave it out.
Other fantastic additions would include crushed ginger, a splash of fish sauce, or a sweet chili dipping sauce.
How to cook bok choy
- We want to keep our baby bok choy somewhat intact, so the first thing we want to do is either halve or quarter each stalk (depending on the size of the bok choy) and wash under cold running water.
- Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add the oil. Swirl to coat the entire surface of the pan. As soon as the oil is hot, add the garlic and the shallots, and sautè for 1-2 minutes, stirring continuously.
- Add the bok choy, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Toss and cover. Cook for approximately 2 minutes before uncovering, tossing, and covering. Continue to cook the bok choy until white parts reach desired doneness (I have found that this varies from person to person as some people prefer crunchier bok choy, while others prefer a more well-done stir-fry).
- Sprinkle with crushed red pepper, if using, and drizzle with additional sesame oil, if desired.
What to serve with bok choy
Aside from how easy this recipe is to make, one of my favorite parts about it is that it goes with just about everything!
- Add some shrimp for a low carb, high protein meal.
- Serve with your favorite chicken or steak and a side of rice.
- Add onions, carrots, bell pepper, and broccoli for a veggie-packed stir-fry the whole family will love.
- Toss with ramen and drizzle with chili sauce for a meal guaranteed to taste better than take-out.
If you try making this 10 Minute Garlic Bok Choy Recipe, please leave me a comment and let me know! I always love to hear your thoughts.
For more bok choy recipes check out,
- Ginger Garlic Noodle Soup with Bok Choy (Bok Choy Soup) <— reader favorite!
- Easy Sheet Pan Thai Chicken with Bok Choy
- Sweet Chili Tofu with Coconut Rice and Bok Choy
- Spicy Stir Fried Tofu with Bok Choy
- Udon Noodle Soup with Bok Choy and Poached Egg
For more Asian-inspired recipes check out,
- Easy Korean Beef Bibimbap Recipe (Mixed Rice)
- Easy Thai Fried Rice Recipe (Khao Phat Kaphrao)
- Bulgogi Korean BBQ Beef Lettuce Wraps
- Pho Recipe- How to Make Vietnamese Noodle Soup
- Kimchi Ramen Noodle Soup (30 minutes)
RECIPE CARD
10 Minute Garlic Bok Choy Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 5 cloves garlic - minced
- 2 large shallots - minced
- 2 pounds baby bok choy - halved or quartered
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper - 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. 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 with crushed red pepper and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Jessica's Notes
- You may use bok choy or baby bok choy for this recipe. If you use bok choy, I recommend chopping into smaller pieces to expedite cooking time.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute regular soy sauce with gluten-free Tamari.
Nutritional Information
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)
Nina Haselwander says
Simple quick healthy and yummy thank you!
Shell says
This was easy and delicious. Thank you
RBednarek says
My 10 year old loves this. And she tends to be picky. ‘This is seriously delicious. You didn’t just hear me say that…’ 😂
Jessica Randhawa says
I LOVE hearing that, thanks for sharing the love 🙂
Scott says
Loved this! Left out the chili. Thanks!
Donna says
Loved this. Quick tasty, my new favourite vegitable
Allie says
Hi thank you!! I found this recipe as I bought some really good looking organic bok choy & did not know what to do with it! The flavors really came together to compliment a salmon dinner. So easy & had all ingredients on hand.Thanks again!
Jessica Randhawa says
Thanks for the feedback and rating Allie 🙂
Virginia says
I bought some baby bok choy and I cannot get the dirt out from where the stalks are attached. Does anyone else have that problem getting the dirt out from the base? I guess I will have to pull them out all separately and put them in my wok like that. I was hoping to only chop them in half. Regardless, I can’t wait to try it !🙂
Lisa says
This was so delicious! Thank you for a great recipe. The garlic, ginger and shallots added such a nice flavor to the bok choy.
Elfin Fernand says
Thank You Jessica… Itried the Bok Choy garlic receipe and Loved it!!!
Kbrownlee says
I had never used baby Bok Choy…easy recipe..will buy & make again..
COLIN STACKPOLE says
Loved this! Quick and easy and soooo tasty. Thank you!
Arlene Pirolo says
This was the first time I ever made a Bok Choy recipe. I used the shallots and garlic first in the oil coated frying pan. I used Coconut Aminos instead of soy sauce, and I mixed it with 1/4 tsp ground ginger. When the Bok Choy was cooked to where I thought it was done enough, I sprinkled some toasted sesame seeds on top. I served this as a side dish with a salmon salad main dish. It was very good! I’ll definitely make it again!
Jessica Randhawa says
Thank you for the very good feedback Arlene 🙂
Donna says
This was so good, taste delicious, thank you
Jessica Randhawa says
Thanks Donna 🙂
Holly Anderson says
Magic! I used F. Oliver’s Smoky Chipotle Olive oil (https://folivers.com/product/smoky-chipotle/ ) because I didn’t have the vegetable and sesame oil (on vacation)and scallions instead of shallots because I didn’t have those either. This is a GREAT basic recipe. I had never cooked Baby Bok Choy before but it was so pretty as I passed it at the farm market. Not sure how I got to this recipe but I am so glad that I did!
Vanessa says
So easy to make and it tastes amazing. Thanks for a simple yet delicious recipe 🙂