Baby Bok Choy Stir Fry with Garlic – Rich in Vitamin A and C, this delicious vegetable side dish can be made in under 15 minutes. Pair with a steaming bowl of white rice for an easy healthy meal!
What is Baby Bok Choy?
You probably know of bok choy as a vegetable used in many Asian dishes, but what is baby bok choy? And how are they different from regular bok choy?
Baby bok choy is actually the younger version of regular bok choy. Baby bok choi are typically smaller in height than regular bok choy, and will have a lighter green color whereas the latter will have darker leaves. As baby bok choy are harvested earlier, they are sweeter and more tender than their older counterpart. The fully grown bok choy are more bitter and have a slight mustard flavor to them also.
Pretty much any variety of bok choy can be harvested early as baby bok choy. However, when you are next at the supermarket, be on the lookout for 'Shanghai' bok choy or 'Shanghai baby bok choy tips' as they are the breed of bok choy that have been bred specifically for maximum sweetness at harvest.
What do you need to make this baby bok choy stir fry with garlic?
For this baby bok choy and garlic stir fry recipe, you just need these 3 main ingredients!
- Baby bok choy
- Garlic
- Tamari
You will also need the following equipment:
- A large pan with a lid.
How do you make baby bok choy stir fry with garlic?
Making this baby bok choy and garlic stir fry is amazingly simple. This simple yet nutritious side dish can be created in 15 minutes or less!
- Separate out the leaves of the bok choy by cutting off the bottom of the bulb or tearing the leaves one by one.
- Rinse the leaves throughly in cold running water and getting rid of any dirt debris.
- Cut the garlic into thin slices.
- Warm the oil in a large pan on medium heat. Toss in the garlic slices and cook for 5 minutes until they are slightly brown on the edges.
- Add the bok choy, tamari and salt into the pan and mix with a spatula until well combined.
- Cover with a lid and continue to cook on medium heat for 5 minutes. Stir occasionally (2-3 times) during this time to prevent sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Tips and tricks for the best baby bok choy stir fry with garlic:
- Wash the bok choy. This step is essential. Even though most of the time the baby bok choy comes pre-washed, there will often be dirt debris that collect near the bulb (white part). The easiest way to do this is to separate out the leaves and rub away any debris with your hands under cold running water.
- Separate out the leaves. The bok choy can be cut lengthwise in half before being cooked, but I find that it is easier for me to separate the leaves by either cutting off the bottom or just ripping each leaf by hand. This will ensure that the bok choy is clean and also reduce the cooking time.
- Use fresh garlic. It is possible to use pre-minced garlic (either bottled or frozen), but I find that the slightly crispy sliced fresh garlic is a good counterpart to the bok choy.
This baby bok choy stir fry with garlic is...
- Low in calories
- Full of Vitamin A and C
- Can be made with just 5 ingredients
- Can be made in 15 minutes or less!
- Great even just with a bowl of white rice.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use pre-minced garlic instead? Yes, you can definitely use pre-minced garlic. substitute 1 clove of garlic with ½ to 1 tsp of minced garlic, depending on your preference.
- Can I make this gluten-free? This recipe is gluten-free because I used tamari. If you use soy sauce, note that it may not be gluten-free.
If your question isn't answered here, be sure to check out the comments section below. You might find the answer to your question down there. Otherwise, please leave a comment on this post so I can get back to you ASAP!
As always, thanks for reading!
Best,
Baby Bok Choy Stir Fry with Garlic
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: sides
- Method: stir-fry
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Baby Bok Choy Stir Fry with Garlic – Rich in Vitamin A and C, this delicious vegetable side dish can be made in under 15 minutes. Pair with a steaming bowl of white rice for an easy healthy meal!
Ingredients
- 12 baby bok choy, leaves separated and rinsed.
- 6 garlic cloves, sliced thinly
- 1 tbsp tamari (or soy sauce)
- 1 tbsp canola oil
- ¼ tsp salt, with more to taste
Instructions
Prep
- Separate out the leaves of the bok choy by cutting off the bottom of the bulb or tearing the leaves one by one by hand.
- Rinse the leaves throughly in cold running water and getting rid of any dirt debris.
- Cut the garlic into thin slices.
Cook
- Warm the oil in a large pan on medium heat. Toss in the garlic slices and cook for 5 minutes until they are slightly brown on the edges.
- Add the bok choy, tamari and salt into the pan and mix with a spatula until well combined.
- Cover with a lid and continue to cook on medium heat for 5 minutes. Stir occasionally (2-3 times) during this time to prevent sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Notes
- This dish goes well with fresh steamed white rice or a vegetable fried rice.
Keywords: sides, bok choy, pak choi, garlic, stir-fry
Let me know what you think!