Sauteed Bok Choy Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

Home » Vegetable Recipes » Sauteed Bok Choy

Last updated: · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

Ready in just 15 minutes, this easy sauteed bok choy recipe is wonderfully flavorful.

Cooked in garlic and flavored with soy sauce and sesame oil, it's a delicious Asian-style side dish everyone loves.

Sauteed Bok Choy Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (1)

I love cabbage and have several cabbage recipes on this website, including this cabbage casserole I make regularly. But this sauteed bok choy recipe is one of my favorites.

It's so flavorful and makes a lovely addition to any Asian-style meal. The flavorings - garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil, are magnificent. And the fact that it's a quick 15-minute recipe is a nice bonus!

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Variations
  • Sauteed Bok Choy Instructions
  • Expert Tip
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storing Leftovers
  • More Cabbage Recipes
  • Foodie Newsletter
  • Recipe Card

Ingredients

Sauteed Bok Choy Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (2)

You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this recipe. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

  • Baby bok choy: I get it at my local supermarket or Whole Foods.
  • Avocado oil: This neutral oil is perfect for high-heat cooking.
  • Fresh minced garlic: You can mince it yourself or use the stuff that comes in a jar. Both work. I don't recommend using garlic powder in this recipe.
  • Soy sauce: I use reduced-sodium soy sauce. You can use a gluten-free alternative if needed.
  • Rice vinegar: I don't recommend using white vinegar in this recipe. It's too acidic. If you don't have rice vinegar, you can use white wine vinegar or simply add water.
  • Sesame oil: I love drizzling it on top of the finished dish. It greatly enhances its flavor.
  • Red pepper flakes: Add a hint of spice and a nice color to the dish.

Variations

  • Sometimes, I add a teaspoon of grated fresh ginger in addition to the garlic. You can add both at the same time.
  • Instead of red pepper flakes, you can add a tablespoon of hot pepper sauce when you add the soy sauce and rice vinegar. Just remember that cooking pepper sauce can create fumes that some people are sensitive to.

Sauteed Bok Choy Instructions

Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps for making this recipe:

You start by cleaning the bok choy and drying it. Then, cut it lengthwise.

Sauteed Bok Choy Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (3)

Heat avocado oil in a large skillet. The skillet needs to be at least 12 inches wide to accommodate the bok choy. Briefly cook garlic in the oil.

Sauteed Bok Choy Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (4)

Add the bok choy, placing the pieces in the skillet, cut side down, in a single layer. Drizzle soy sauce and rice vinegar on top.

Sauteed Bok Choy Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (5)

Cover and cook until the cores are fork-tender and can be easily pierced with a fork, for 3-5 minutes.

Sauteed Bok Choy Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (6)
Sauteed Bok Choy Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (7)

Transfer the cooked bok choy to a serving platter and pour the cooking liquids on top. Drizzle with sesame oil, sprinkle with red pepper flakes, and serve.

Sauteed Bok Choy Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (8)

Expert Tip

There's no need to add salt. The soy sauce adds plenty of saltiness. However, it's always a good idea to taste and decide for yourself. You can always sprinkle the finished dish with some extra salt.

Recipe FAQs

Is bok choy the same as green cabbage?

Not exactly. Both are leafy vegetables belonging to the Brassica family, but their flavor and texture are different.

Bok choy is a Chinese cabbage with thick white stems and dark green leaves. Its flavor is mild, with a very slight peppery taste.

Green cabbage is lighter in color. It has a more robust flavor, and its leaves are thicker and denser.

Can I eat bok choy raw?

Yes, you can chop it and add it raw to salads. The leaves are similar to lettuce, and the core adds a nice crunch. However, like all cruciferous vegetables, it's best not to overdo it when eating it raw.

How do you prepare bok choy for cooking?

Cut it in half lengthwise, then rinse and place it, cut side down, on a clean kitchen towel to dry. The core can hide dirt, so you should rinse it thoroughly.

What is the best way to cook bok choy?

It's best when lightly cooked, so sauteing is the perfect cooking method for this vegetable.

Serving Suggestions

This side dish goes with anything. It's very versatile. But any Asian-style main dish will go particularly well with this recipe. So, I most often serve it alongside one of the following:

  • Soy sauce chicken
  • Asian meatballs
  • Sweet and sour meatballs
  • Asian salmon
  • Sesame shrimp
  • Sesame chicken

Storing Leftovers

The leftovers keep well in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. Gently reheat them in the microwave, covered, at 50% power.

Much like roasted cabbage and steamed cabbage, this is one of those recipes where the leftovers are excellent, even on the fourth day.

Sauteed Bok Choy Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (9)

More Cabbage Recipes

  • Asian Cabbage Salad
  • Cabbage Pancakes
  • Cabbage Stir-Fry
  • Homemade Coleslaw

Recipe Card

Sauteed Bok Choy Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (14)

4.99 from 106 votes

Pin Recipe Print Recipe

Sauteed Bok Choy Recipe

Ready in just 15 minutes, this easysauteed bok choy recipeis wonderfully flavorful.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time5 minutes mins

Total Time15 minutes mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Chinese

Servings: 3 servings

Calories: 152kcal

Author: Vered DeLeeuw

Ingredients

  • 3 baby bok choy 4 ounces each
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 1 tablespoon garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce or a gluten-free alternative
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

  • Rinse and dry the bok choy. Then, cut it in half lengthwise.

    Sauteed Bok Choy Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (15)

  • Heat the oil in a large 12-inch lidded skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.

    Sauteed Bok Choy Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (16)

  • Add the bok choy in a single layer, cut side down. Drizzle it with soy sauce and rice vinegar.

    Sauteed Bok Choy Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (17)

  • Cover the pan and cook until the core is fork-tender, 3-5 minutes. If the bottom of the pan becomes too dry, add a tablespoon or two of water.

    Sauteed Bok Choy Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (18)

  • Remove the pan from the heat. Arrange the bok choy on a serving plate. Drizzle the pan juices on top, then drizzle it with the sesame oil and sprinkle with red pepper flakes. Serve immediately.

    Sauteed Bok Choy Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (19)

Video

Notes

  • There's no need to add salt. The soy sauce adds plenty of saltiness. However, it's always a good idea to taste and decide for yourself. You can always sprinkle the finished dish with some extra salt.
  • You can add grated fresh ginger in addition to the garlic. You can add both of them at the same time.
  • Instead of red pepper flakes, add a tablespoon of hot pepper sauce when you add the soy sauce and rice vinegar. Just remember that cooking pepper sauce can create fumes that some people are sensitive to.
  • The leftovers keep well in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. Gently reheat them in the microwave, covered, at 50% power.

Add Your Own Notes

Click here to add your own private notes. They're only visible to you. If you clear your browser's cache, they'll be lost.

Nutrition per Serving

Serving: 1baby bok choy | Calories: 152kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 456mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g

Subscribe

I send out a weekly newsletter with a recipe and tips. Want these recipes in your inbox? Subscribe today! You can unsubscribe at any time.

Follow Me

Sauteed Bok Choy Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (20) Sauteed Bok Choy Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (21) Sauteed Bok Choy Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (22) Sauteed Bok Choy Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (23) Sauteed Bok Choy Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (24) Sauteed Bok Choy Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (25)

Disclaimers

Cup measurements refer to the standard American cup, which is 240 milliliters. Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read these Terms of Use carefully before using any of my recipes.

❤️ Let's connect! Follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, or Twitter.

More Vegetable Recipes

  • Roasted Eggplant
  • Roasted Brussels Sprouts
  • Green Beans with Bacon
  • Roasted Yellow Squash

About the Author

Sauteed Bok Choy Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (30) Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment

Sauteed Bok Choy Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to eat bok choy? ›

Bok choy, a Chinese cabbage, is tender, sweet, and stands up well to heat — making it perfect for stir-frying. Cook it simply with garlic, black bean sauce, or shiitake mushrooms for a delicious side dish, or incorporate it into a frittata or bowl of ramen for a more substantial bite.

Should I soak bok choy 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. Drain the water, check for dirt between the stalks, and run each half of bok choy under cold water.

What to do with too much bok choy? ›

Bok choy can be used in soups, stir fry, grilled, roasted, or left raw. Because the leaves and stalks have such different textures, it can be great for adding layers to a meal: buttery leaves and slightly bitter, crisp stalks.

Can you boil bok choy? ›

For best results, trim the stalks off before boiling, as the stalks take longer to cook than the leaves. Bring a pot of water to the boil and drop the bok chop into the water. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until just tender. Avoid overcooking as this will reduce the nutritional value and alter the texture.

How do you get the bitterness out of bok choy? ›

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.

Are you supposed to eat the stems 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.

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

You can consume all parts of the bok choy plant, including its white stems and green leaves. Here are some ideas for how to prepare and eat bok choy: Chop it and sauté it with olive oil, garlic, and ginger as a side dish or to top a grain like rice or quinoa. Dice it and add it to an Asian-inspired soup recipe.

Is bok choy healthy? ›

Like other dark, leafy greens, it's full of antioxidants and other compounds that help to promote better health. Studies show that cruciferous vegetables such as bok choy help to reduce your risk of developing cancer. It's full of cancer-fighting compounds such as vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, folate, and selenium.

What is a bad companion for bok choy? ›

What should you not plant next to bok choy?
  • Turnip. Turnips, known for their nutritious roots and garden resilience, grow in loamy soil with a pH range between 6.0 and 7.5. ...
  • Radish. ...
  • Kale. ...
  • Cabbage. ...
  • Arugula. ...
  • Cauliflower. ...
  • Broccoli.
Feb 2, 2024

Is bok choy a laxative? ›

Bok choy also contains a fair bit of fiber, which accounts for about two-thirds of the carbs in the veggie. We all know fiber can help you poop more easily (and that's reason enough to make sure you're getting plenty), but it's got 💩-loads of other benefits too.

Can I eat cooked bok choy everyday? ›

A meta-analysis and review of research in the journal Food Chemistry found that eating 100 grams of cruciferous vegetables, such as bok choy, every day was associated with a 10% reduction in the risk of death from any cause. (100 grams of cooked bok choy is a little more than a half-cup.)

How do you know when bok choy is done? ›

Bok choy only takes 45 days to reach maturity, so you can enjoy your leafy greens relatively quickly after planting them. Harvest the bok choy before the hot weather sets in, because the hot weather will make the bok choy go to seed very fast. Bok choy is ready to harvest when it reaches 12 to 18 inches tall.

Does boiling bok choy remove nutrients? ›

The major shift in nutrients between raw and cooked bok choy is the level of vitamin C and K depletion when the vegetable is cooked. It's best to consume it raw to get the most nutrients or at the very least only lightly cook it.

Is bok choy healthier raw or cooked? ›

Raw bok choy, like all cruciferous vegetables, contains an enzyme called myrosinase. Myrosinase can hinder thyroid function by preventing the body from absorbing iodine. Cooking deactivates it.

Is there any part of bok choy you can't eat? ›

You can consume all parts of the bok choy plant, including its white stems and green leaves. Here are some ideas for how to prepare and eat bok choy: Chop it and sauté it with olive oil, garlic, and ginger as a side dish or to top a grain like rice or quinoa. Dice it and add it to an Asian-inspired soup recipe.

What does bok choy taste like when cooked? ›

Bok choy tastes similar to cabbage. It has a mild, fresh, and grassy flavor with a slight peppery kick. The stalks have a celery-like crunch, while the leaves are soft and crisp.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Fredrick Kertzmann

Last Updated:

Views: 6179

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Fredrick Kertzmann

Birthday: 2000-04-29

Address: Apt. 203 613 Huels Gateway, Ralphtown, LA 40204

Phone: +2135150832870

Job: Regional Design Producer

Hobby: Nordic skating, Lacemaking, Mountain biking, Rowing, Gardening, Water sports, role-playing games

Introduction: My name is Fredrick Kertzmann, I am a gleaming, encouraging, inexpensive, thankful, tender, quaint, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.