This baby bok choy recipe is ideal for when you’re short on time (it takes less than 10 minutes) and ingredients (there are just five). The quartered stalks are steamed with stir-fried garlic and shallot—plus a little soy sauce for seasoning—but if you don’t have these alliums you could sub in scallions and half a red onion or whatever similar ingredients you have in the pantry or crisper drawer. Because it’s fairly simple, this recipe opens itself up to all kinds of additions. Want to grate a knob of fresh ginger in with the garlic? Go for it. Drizzle on a little sesame oil to serve? Love it.
Steaming the leafy greens allows their stalks to turn tender to the core without too much charring or drying out. When rinsing the bok choy, give it a good shake to dry, but don’t worry if a little water still clings—it’ll help with the steaming. Serve this fast-and-furious side dish alongside any simply roasted meat or fish or with fried rice, a boiled egg, or chile crisp (a dish just as good for breakfast as it is for dinner).
Looking for more easy bok choy recipe ideas? Fat Choy chef-owner Justin Lee’s rendition with crispy garlic and a vegan take on oyster sauce packs a big umami punch. The green adds a crunch to this stir fry with pork, scallions, and ginger and lends a pop of color to this elaborate vegan kare-kare from Bad Saint in Washington, D.C.
Editor’s note: This recipe was originally published in 2013.
Ingredients
4 Servings
1
2
1
1
1
Preparation
Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add garlic and shallot and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add bok choy, soy sauce, and 2 Tbsp. water and cover immediately. Cook 1 minute. Uncover and toss, then cover and cook until bok choy is tender at the core, about 3 more minutes.
Leave a Review
Reviews (53)
Back to TopSimple and easy
Anonymous
10/19/2023
Quick and delicious! I added a bit of chopped Fresno chile and some diced bell pepper along with the garlic and some ginger - it was perfect alongside some salmon.
Pmangelo01
NY
5/16/2023
Really loved this - so simple, and delicious! I used what my store called Shanghai bok choy, which is similar in size. Liked it so much I'm going to make it again later this week!
Katherine
Connecticut
4/8/2023
Wow, so good!!
Anonymous
Irvine, ca
7/21/2022
Deliciously simple.
Anonymous
4/10/2022
So easy, tasty and healthy!
Joseph L.
Montreal, Canada
7/19/2021
Simple and delicious, great use for csa bok choy
brushjl
solon, ohio
6/16/2020
Quick and simple. It would definitely a refreshing side dish for something that's a bit heavier or more heavily spiced/seasoned.
Anonymous
Virginia
5/9/2020
How do you cut it into quarters yet leave the core intact?
Anonymous
D.C.
1/22/2020
Have not made this recipe yet, but entirely want to...appears fabulous and its ingredients are all things I love...looking forward to learning the other reviewers’ comments! From: Albu-Quirky_Culin-Quirky © Can someone send me the recipe? Have not made this recipe yet, but entirely want to...appears fabulous and its ingredients are all things I love...looking forward to learning the other reviewers’ comments! Albu-Quirky_Culin-Quirky ©
TakeAdvice&Learn
Albuquerque
8/14/2019
Have not made this recipe yet, but entirely want to...appears fabulous and its ingredients are all things I love...looking forward to learning the other reviewers’ comments! From: Albu-Quirky_Culin-Quirky © Can someone send me the recipe?
TakeAdvice&Learn
Albuquerque
8/14/2019