Chili Garlic Bok Choy - CJ Eats Recipes (2024)

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By Chris Joe

4.98 from 41 votes

Oct 14, 2023

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This chili garlic bok choy is the perfect side dish for any meal! The bok choy is nicely stir fried with a hint of kick from the chili oil. It’s a perfect side dish ready in 10 minutes!

Watch the Chili Garlic Bok Choy Recipe Video Below!

This chili garlic bok choy come out delicious every time! The bok choy is crisp and delicious with a slight kick from the chili oil. They’re absolutely incredible!

Chili Garlic Bok Choy - CJ Eats Recipes (2)

Ingredients for Chili Garlic Bok Choy

You only need a few ingredients to make this delicious bok choy stir fry. Here is what you’ll need to make it!

  • 1.5lbbaby bok choy
  • 10clovesgarlic
  • 1tbspneutral oil
  • 1tspkosher salt
  • 1/2tspsugar
  • 1/4tspmsg
  • 2tbspchili oil
Chili Garlic Bok Choy - CJ Eats Recipes (3)

What is Bok Choy?

Bok choy, also known as Chinese cabbage or pak choi, is a leafy green vegetable that is commonly used in Asian cuisine. Here are its key characteristics:

  1. Appearance: Bok choy has thick, crisp stalks and dark green leaves. The leaves are similar in shape to spinach or lettuce, and they grow in a cluster, forming a bunch with white stems.
  2. Taste: Bok choy has a mild, slightly peppery flavor. The leaves are tender and have a subtle sweetness, while the white stalks are crunchy and slightly earthy.
  3. Varieties: There are two main varieties of bok choy: baby bok choy and standard bok choy. Baby bok choy is smaller and more tender, while standard bok choy is larger and has thicker stalks.
  4. Nutritional Benefits: Bok choy is a nutritious vegetable. It is low in calories but rich in vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate. It also contains fiber and various antioxidants.
  5. Cooking: Bok choy is versatile and can be cooked in various ways. It can be stir-fried, sautéed, steamed, or added to soups and stews. The leaves cook faster than the stalks, so it’s common to separate them and add them at different times in cooking.
  6. Health Benefits: Bok choy is often considered a healthy choice because of its low calorie content and nutrient density. It is associated with various health benefits, including supporting bone health, improving digestion, and promoting healthy skin.
  7. Culinary Uses: Bok choy is a staple in many Asian dishes, such as stir-fries, hot pots, and noodle soups. It pairs well with various flavors and ingredients, including garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
Chili Garlic Bok Choy - CJ Eats Recipes (4)

Cooking Chili Garlic Bok Choy: Recipe Instructions

Prior to cooking, an important tip for a quick and easy stir fry like this is to have your ingredients prepped and accessible within arms reach! The cooking process is fast so timing of ingredients is key.

Sauté the garlic

Heat 3 tbsp of neutral oil in a pan over high heat. Add garlic and saute for 15 seconds. Then immediately add in your bok choy and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly wilted and browned.

Chili Garlic Bok Choy - CJ Eats Recipes (5)

Cook out the water and season the bok choy

This next step is crucial: cook the water out of the bok choy! You likely see a pool of water at the bottom of the pan when the bok choy hits the heat. It’s important to cook out all the water prior to continuing so that you don’t end up with watery bok choy.

Chili Garlic Bok Choy - CJ Eats Recipes (6)

Continue cooking so that the water is cooked out and the bok choy is looking slightly wilted. Next, season the bok choy with salt, sugar, and msg. Finally, add a couple tablespoons of chili oil (click here for my homemade version)

Chili Garlic Bok Choy - CJ Eats Recipes (7)

Top Tips for Making the Best Bok Choy

Here are a few of my top tips for making sure your bok choy stir fry comes out delicious every time!

  1. Choose Fresh Bok Choy: Select bok choy that looks fresh and vibrant. The leaves should be crisp and free from wilting, and the stalks should be firm.
  2. Prep Bok Choy Properly: Wash the bok choy thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt or grit. Trim the tough ends of the stalks, and separate the leaves from the stalks for even cooking.
  3. Cut Evenly: Cut the bok choy into uniform-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. You can slice the stalks diagonally and chop the leaves into smaller pieces.
  4. Use High Heat: Heat your wok or a large skillet over high heat. Stir-frying requires high heat to cook quickly and retain the crispness of the vegetables.
Chili Garlic Bok Choy - CJ Eats Recipes (8)

If you liked this Chili Garlic Bok Choy recipe, check out some of my other popular meat and side dish recipes!

  • Beef Bulgogi
  • Spicy Pork Bulgogi
  • Korean Cucumber Salad
  • Korean Bean Sprout Side Dish
  • Korean Spinach Salad

4.98 from 41 votes

Chili Garlic Bok Choy

By: Chris Joe

Servings: 2

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 5 minutes mins

Save

Chili Garlic Bok Choy - CJ Eats Recipes (9)

This chili garlic bok choy is the perfect side dish for any meal! The bok choy is nicely stir fried with a hint of kick from the chili oil. It's a perfect side dish ready in 10 minutes!

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Wash the baby bok choy and peel off outer leaves until stem and the closest leaves remain. Slice the stems in half with a knife and then drain excess moisture from bok choy. Set the vegetables aside in a large bowl.

  • Chop 10 cloves of garlic and set aside.

  • Heat 3 tbsp of neutral oil in a pan over high heat. Add garlic and saute for 15 seconds. Then immediately add in your bok choy and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly wilted and browned.

  • Season with kosher salt, sugar, and msg and cook for another minute

  • Add chili oil and toss until combined. Enjoy!

Additional Info

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Chinese

Tried this recipe?Mention @cj.eats_ or tag #cjeatsrecipes!

Chili Garlic Bok Choy - CJ Eats Recipes (10)

About CJ

I’m a third generation Chinese-American home cook who has always loved cooking & eating! Welcome to my food blog, where you can find trusted, tested, easy & approachable recipes for the everyday home cook that taste delicious! I am so glad you're here!

Read more about me

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Chili Garlic Bok Choy - CJ Eats Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What does bok choy pair well with? ›

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.

Is it okay to eat bok choy every day? ›

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.)

Which is the most recommended method for cooking 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.

What's a good sauce for bok choy? ›

Mix together oyster sauce, soy sauce, shaoxing wine, sugar, white pepper, sesame oil, chicken stock & corn starch. In a pan, fry garlic for 15 seconds until fragrant; then add your sauce. Simmer over medium high heat for 2-3 minutes until thickened. Immediately spoon over bok choy & enjoy!

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.

What part of bok choy do you not eat? ›

You can also rip the stalks off, if you don't feel like cutting them. But you will eventually have to cut them when you reach the mini bulb inside. All of Bok Choy is edible, so once you get to that point, you can chop up the stem and the bulb.

Is bok choy anti-inflammatory? ›

Bok choy offers many health benefits through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It may support cardiovascular and bone health while potentially reducing the risk of certain types of cancer.

Is bok choy good for high blood pressure? ›

The vegetable is also high in potassium, magnesium, and calcium, all of which help to reduce your blood pressure naturally. Some studies show that eating sufficient potassium can help to lower sodium-induced high blood pressure.

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.

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.

Do you eat the hard 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.

How long does bok choy last in the refrigerator? ›

How to store bok choy. Bok choy can be refrigerated for 3 to 7 days. Place the unwashed bok choy in a breathable plastic bag in the crisper. If you need to store the bok choy for a longer period of time, you can boil it in water for 2 minutes and then rinse with cold water and place the bok choy in the freezer.

What is the best season for bok choy? ›

February to April and September to October.

Why does bok choy taste like mustard? ›

Bok choy is Bassica rapa (chinensis), closely related to mustard greens and radish. The vegetable is mild with a barely-discernible peppery taste.

Can dogs eat bok choy? ›

Bok choy is a leafy vegetable you can feed to your dog. The dark green leaves are nutritious and can help support your pet's vision, heart, digestion, and immune system.

What protein to eat with bok choy? ›

Commonly found in Asian stir-fries, bok choy is known for its crisp texture. Consider pairing it with softer ingredients for a contrast in texture. Mushrooms, seafood, tender strips of pork, chicken or beef, all have a soft texture.

What does bok choy do to your body? ›

Bok choy is rich in health-promoting nutrients, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K, calcium, and folate. When included in a well-balanced diet, bok choy's micronutrient profile can support immune function, bone health, and other markers of health.

Is bok choy good for your stomach? ›

Bok choy is also full of fiber, which keeps your digestive system healthy and may help to prevent colon cancer. Like other dark, leafy greens, bok choy is an excellent source of the flavonoid quercetin.

What does bok choy do for your body? ›

It offers a wide variety of vitamins and minerals, as well antioxidants and fiber that are good for your health. In fact, bok choy may be beneficial for heart health, bone health, and thyroid function. It may even have anticancer properties.

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