Easy Bok Choy Recipe (Garlic & Ginger) | Downshiftology (2024)

Home Recipes Courses Side Dish Garlic Ginger Bok Choy

by Lisa Bryan

78 Comments

Dec 08, 2023

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Bok choy can be prepared in many ways, but my favorite is a quick stir-fry with fresh garlic and ginger. It’s sweet and savory, comes together in less than 10 minutes, and is the perfect vegetable side dish to round out an Asian-inspired dinner (I’ve got a few ideas below)!

Easy Bok Choy Recipe (Garlic & Ginger) | Downshiftology (2)

Bok choy, also known as Chinese cabbage, is a vegetable that deserves far more attention than it receives. I’m a fan of cabbage recipes in general, but who can resist these diminutive baby bok choy with their small bulbs and oversized green leaves? I sure can’t. Especially when they’re sautéed with garlic and ginger. Here’s a few reasons why I love this recipe:

  • It’s easy to prepare. Similar to other stir-fry greens like sautéed cabbage, sautéed spinach, or sautéed green beans, this just needs a quick toss in the pan with simple seasonings.
  • It has a delicious texture. The body stays crisp while the leaves become soft and tender after a quick sauté, so you get the best of both worlds!
  • It’s a healthy dish all around. Not only is bok choy loaded with vitamins and nutrients, but you’ve got added anti-inflammatory benefits from the garlic and ginger!

So when you’re looking for a veggie side dish for an Asian-inspired meal, you’ll love this bok choy recipe! It’s perfectly cooked and seasoned just right.

Easy Bok Choy Recipe (Garlic & Ginger) | Downshiftology (3)

Bok Choy Stir Fry Ingredients

  • Bok Choy: I’m using baby bok choy as it’s a bit sweeter when cooked, but you could also use regular-sized bok choy. Just be mindful of the size difference and the pan you’re using, as the regular kind will require a larger pan.
  • Oil: Avocado oil is my go-to for anything stir-fried. But you could also use olive oil.
  • Aromatics: Fresh ginger, minced garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper enhance this veggie’s naturally delicious flavor and help to counter the bitterness a bit.
  • Water: This is optional, but I like to add a splash of water to help steam the bok choy.

For extra flavor — add a splash of soy sauce, a drizzle of toasted sesame oil, or your favorite chili oil at the end. And if you have sesame seeds, sprinkle them on top before serving!

How To Cook Bok Choy

First, thoroughly wash the bok choy. Like leeks, it can harbor dirt and debris under its leaves. So, I like to cut them in half and rinse them under running water. You can also cut a small portion off the base and then remove the individual leaves to rinse if you prefer to eat them that way.

Cook the ginger and garlic. Heat the oil in your wok or saute pan. Then, add the minced garlic and ginger and stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Don’t cook for long, as the garlic can burn quickly!

Easy Bok Choy Recipe (Garlic & Ginger) | Downshiftology (4)

Add the bok choy. Although you can use a spatula to stir fry, I like to use tongs to make it easier. You’ll stir-fry for 2 minutes to cook the bok choy lightly.

Easy Bok Choy Recipe (Garlic & Ginger) | Downshiftology (5)

Steam the bok choy. I like to add a splash of water to soften the stems, but it’s optional. Once I do, I cover the pan and let it cook for two more minutes to steam until perfectly softened. If you’re using a wok that doesn’t have a lid, just let it cook for a few extra minutes while stirring occasionally.

If you’re looking for a main dish with the bok choy, I recommend my Scallops with Citrus Ginger Sauce, Kung Pao Chicken, Honey Garlic Shrimp, or Chicken Stir-Fry!

Easy Bok Choy Recipe (Garlic & Ginger) | Downshiftology (6)

More Vegetable Side Dishes

You can never have too many side dishes to choose from, so here are a few more sautéed favorites I love! And if you need more ideas, check out my selection of side dishes.

  • Fried Cabbage: Enhance regular sauteed cabbage with bacon and stone-ground mustard.
  • Garlic Sautéed Swiss Chard: Don’t forget about delicious Swiss chard!
  • Sautéed Carrots: The bacon Dijon dressing is SO good.
Easy Bok Choy Recipe (Garlic & Ginger) | Downshiftology (7)

I hope you enjoy this garlic ginger bok choy recipe! If you make it, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your review will help other readers in the community.

Easy Bok Choy Recipe (Garlic & Ginger) | Downshiftology (8)

Easy Bok Choy Recipe (Garlic & Ginger)

5 from 37 votes

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 5 minutes mins

Total: 15 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Author: Lisa Bryan

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Description

A tasty and quick bok choy stir-fry with fresh garlic and ginger! The perfect side dish to round out an Asian-inspired dinner. Watch the video below to see how I make it in my kitchen!

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 4 baby bok choy, sliced in half
  • 1 teaspoon minced ginger
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • salt and pepper

Instructions

  • Cook the ginger and garlic. Heat the avocado oil in a wok or sauté pan on medium.Add the minced ginger and minced garlic and stir for 30 seconds.

    Easy Bok Choy Recipe (Garlic & Ginger) | Downshiftology (9)

  • Stir-fry the bok choy. Add the bok choy and use tongs to turn and stir-fry the bok choy in the garlic and ginger for 2 minutes.

    Easy Bok Choy Recipe (Garlic & Ginger) | Downshiftology (10)

  • Steam the bok choy. Pour two tablespoons of water into the pan, cover, and let it cook for 2 minutes more.

    Easy Bok Choy Recipe (Garlic & Ginger) | Downshiftology (11)

  • Serve. Turn off the heat, add salt and pepper, and serve.

    Easy Bok Choy Recipe (Garlic & Ginger) | Downshiftology (12)

Lisa’s Tips

  • It’s much easier to turn and stir fry the bok choy with tongs rather than a spatula. My favorite tongs are these ones.
  • Although this is best served fresh, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 80kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 74mg | Potassium: 6mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 5029IU | Vitamin C: 51mg | Calcium: 127mg | Iron: 1mg

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Chinese

Keyword: bok choy, bok choy recipe, how to cook bok choy

©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

Recipe originally posted March 2019, but updated to include new information and photos for your benefit!

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About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

Read More About Me

Easy Bok Choy Recipe (Garlic & Ginger) | Downshiftology (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest way to eat bok choy? ›

In fact, bok choy may be beneficial for heart health, bone health, and thyroid function. It may even have anticancer properties. You may want to eat it in cooked form to reduce your intake of myrosinase, a compound that could interfere with iodine absorption.

Should I soak bok choy before cooking? ›

The stalks of bok choy are prone to grit, much like leeks, so be sure to clean bok choy thoroughly before cooking. The simplest way to prep bok choy is to cut it in half lengthwise and submerge it in cold water for a few minutes. This will soften the dirt and allow you to remove it easily.

How long does bok choy take to cook? ›

Cook for about 6 minutes until the base of the bok choy is slightly tender. Test it with the tip of a knife, then serve. For best results, trim the stalks off before boiling, as the stalks take longer to cook than the leaves.

What does bok choy do to your body? ›

Bok choy contains vitamin C, an antioxidant known for fighting free radicals. It may help to reduce the risk of damage to your skin caused by the sun, smoke, and pollution. Vitamin C also plays a role in your body's natural collagen production and may help to fight signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles.

Is bok choy good for high blood pressure? ›

Blood pressure

Potassium, calcium, and magnesium are all present in bok choy. They can help decrease blood pressure naturally. According to an article in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, people should increase their intake of potassium.

What part of bok choy do you not eat? ›

All of Bok Choy is edible, so once you get to that point, you can chop up the stem and the bulb. If you want to keep the whole bok choy intact, we recommend using your fingers and opening the stalks so the water can reach it.

Can you eat too much bok choy? ›

2. Thyroid function. Bok choy contains myrosinase, which can interfere with iodine absorption and may impair thyroid function. Cooking deactivates this compound, so moderate consumption of cooked bok choy is generally not a concern.

How to get rid of bitter taste in bok choy? ›

Blanch Them. Blanching your greens is key to getting that bitterness level down. Because glucosinolates are water-soluble compounds, a lot of them are leached out into the water, allowing for a less bitter green.

Is bok choy better steamed or boiled? ›

The best way to eat bok choy is to lightly steam or stir-fry it to retain its crisp texture. Overcooking makes it mushy. Bok choy has a delicious, mild flavor that pairs well with garlic, ginger, sesame oil, oyster sauce, soy sauce, chiles, or Whole30 peanut sauce.

What is the best season for bok choy? ›

Bok choy also is known as Chinese cabbage. It is a cool-weather vegetable which grows best in either the spring or the fall, and it's flavor works in stir-fries, soups and salads.

How do you prepare bok choy for eating? ›

Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat; cook garlic in hot oil until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Mix in bok choy; cook and stir until the leafy green parts turn bright green and the stalks become slightly translucent, 5 to 8 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and serve.

Do you use the white or green part of bok choy? ›

Traditional bok choy has dark, crinkly leaves and crisp, white stems; Shanghai bok choy has spoon-shaped leaves and jade green stems. The cool thing is that both the leaves and the stalks can be eaten, and this wonderful little plant is an excellent go-to for fiber, as well as for beta-carotene and vitamins C, K and A.

Can you freeze bok choy? ›

How to Freeze Bok Choy. Boil washed and trimmed bok choy for 2 minutes. Then plunge into ice water for 2 minutes. Pack dried bok choy in Freezer Zipper bags or FreezerWare™.

Is bok choy healthier, cooked or raw? ›

Bok choy can be eaten both raw and cooked. If you typically eat a large amount of bok choy and are concerned about myrosinase and your thyroid, cook bok choy first.

Does bok choy lose nutrients when cooked? ›

It packs potassium, lutein, folate and 70 antioxidants, which makes it a candidate for cancer prevention, according to research. Bok choy loses a smidge of its nutrients when it's cooked, but it's also easier to eat more cooked than raw, so you'll probably come out about even.

Is bok choy good for your stomach? ›

A cruciferous vegetable, bok choy contains gut-healthy vitamins and minerals and is a good source of manganese, folate, and sulforaphane. Sulforaphane activates the protein Nfr2, which in turn activates certain antioxidant genes in the body.

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