How To Cook Bok Choy(Quick and Easy)

How To Prepare Bok Choy

Choose bok choy with crunchy, bright leaves and white, firm stalks. Avoid bunches whose leaves are droopy, yellow, or torn, or whose stalks have brown spots.

There are two major varieties: one is the regular one with dark green, crinkly leaves and white, firm stems; another is Shanghai bok choy, whose leaves are in a spoon shape and whose stems are light green.

Both arrive in mature and "baby" sizes, spanning from 3 to 15 inches. Before cutting bok choy, be sure to rinse well and pat dry.

To cut bok choy:

1. For large bok choy:

• Slice off the root end (about 1 inch from the bottom)
• Cut stalks into bite-sized pieces
• Chop leaves into strips if desired

2. For baby bok choy:

• Halve or quarter lengthwise, depending on size

3. For both types:

• Aim for uniform pieces to ensure even cooking
• Adjust cut size based on your recipe's needs

How to Cook Bok Choy (7 ways)

Anyone who has cooked bok choy will say, hands down, the best method to cook bok choy is stir-frying, but there are several other ways to make these green veggies.

Each of these approaches brings out the natural relish and texture of bok choy so you can use it in many dishes.

1. Stir-Frying

Stir-frying is the quickest cooking process of the vegetables in a superheated pan with just a trickle of oil. The vegetable remains firm and delectable, with the possibility of absorbing flavors from added seasonings like garlic, ginger, and soy sauce.

Stir-frying is ideal for maintaining the vegetable color lively green and giving it a crunchy, pleasing bite while having a caramelized edge. 

Ingredients

• 1-2 large heads or 4-5 baby bok choy
• 2 tbsp neutral oil of choice like sesame or avocado
• Salt and pepper to taste 
• 3 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tbsp fresh Ginger (minced) 
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1/4 cup nuts (optional) 

Instructions 

1. Stir-fry the chopped stalks first in a pan or wok at medium-high heat with just a little oil (sesame oil would give it more flavor) for 2-3 minutes.
2. Add the leaves and cook until they wilt and become tender, another 1-2 minutes.
3. Season to taste with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Garnish with nuts of choice.
4. If necessary do stir-fries in batches to avoid crowding the pan, so that all vegetables will be able to fry and not steam.

2. Steaming

A mild technique that allows bok choy to preserve most of its rich green color and its nutritional content. The bok choy is put in a steamer basket over boiling water and is cooked until the stalks become tender and still a bit crunchy and the leaves soften.

This method is excellent for ensuring a tender texture without additional fats.

Ingredients

• 1-2 large heads or 4-5 baby bok choy
• Water 
• Salt and pepper to taste 
• 1-2 tbsp soy Sauce
• Sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions 

1. Fill a kettle with water and bring it to a boil.
2. Place bok choy in a steamer basket over the pot, cover, and steam for 4 to 5 minutes until tender.
3. Season as desired once steamed. Steaming keeps the vegetable bright-colored and preserves its nutrients.
4. Season with soy sauce or a sprinkle of sesame seeds after steaming.

3. Sautéing

Sautéing simply means bok choy is placed in a frying pan over medium high flame with some oil and compounded with other forms of flavoring ingredients such as garlic, onions and shallots.

It goes well with other types of foods owing to its high compatibility with other ingredients when sautéed.

Ingredients 

• 1-2 large heads or 4-5 baby bok choy
• 2 tbsp neutral oil
• Salt and pepper to taste 
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tbsp ginger (minced) 
• 1 bulb shallots (minced) 
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp vinegar (optional) 

Instructions

1. Put oil in a casserole and set the heat at medium. Sear crushed garlic or shallots for 1-2 minutes.
2. Add the bok choy and cook for 4-5 minutes until the stalks are tender and the leaves are withered.
3. Season with soy sauce or vinegar for added flavor.
4. Sautéing with aromatics like garlic or ginger elevates the flavoring of the bok choy.

4. Boiling

In this method place bok choy in boiling water and allow it to cook for some time, normally for 2-3 minutes.

This process blanch’s the vegetable gently and is normally applied when the bok choy is incorporated into soups or with food. However, it can dilute the vegetable’s flavor if overcooked. 

Ingredients 

• 1-2 large heads or 4-5 baby bok choy
• Water 
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp soy Sauce for serving
• 1 tsp sesame oil for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. In a large saucepan bring salted water to the boil.
2. Add the bok choy and cook for 2-3 minutes until tender.
3. Drain and serve. 
4. Boiling is less common for bok choy, but it can be used in soups or as a quick cooking method. Avoid overcooking to maintain texture.

5. Grilling

Grilled bok choy adds a smoky, charred relish to the natural sweetness. Brush the vegetable with oil and throw it on medium heat until crispy and caramelized on the outside, yet still tender-crisp inside.

This method works great with larger bok choy or halved baby bok choy.

Ingredients

• 1-2 large heads or 4-5 baby bok choy
• 2 tbsp neutral oil or butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tsp sesame Seeds (optional)
• 1 tbsp soy Sauce (optional)

Instructions

1. Rinse the bok choy and brush them with oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper just before cooking.
2. Grill over medium heat, ensuring each side takes 2-3 minutes to char in color and get tender.
3. Sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds over it and serve. Serve with soy sauce on the side.

6. Braising

It's a cooking process in which bok choy is slowly cooked in flavorful liquid, like broth or a sauce, so that it could have rich flavor inside the vegetable.

Actually, slow cooking tenderizes the bok choy; it makes it succulent to a soft texture and soaks in the seasoning easily.

Ingredients

• 1-2 large heads or 4-5 baby bok choy
• 2 tbsp oil 
• Salt and pepper to taste 
• 2-3 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1-2 tsp ginger (minced)
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp vinegar
• 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 tbsp hoisin sauce (optional)
• 1 tsp sugar (optional)
• 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (optional, for thickening) 

Instructions

1. Sear bok choy in a hot pan with oil until browned.
2. Add liquid to pan with flavor in it, like broth or a sauce; cover and cook until tender on low heat.
3. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Pour in broth, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and sugar. Bring to a simmer.
4. Cover and reduce heat to low. Braise for 10-15 minutes until bok choy is tender.
5. Stir in the cornstarch mixture for a thicker consistency. Continue with more cooking, another 1-2 minutes, until thickened.

7. Raw

Crunchy and refreshing, bok choy salad fuses crispy fresh bok choy with vibrant vegetables, nuts, and light dressing for a healthy and flavorful addition.

Ingredients

• 1 large head or 3-4 baby bok choy
• 1/2 cup fresh vegetables of your choice
• Salt and pepper to taste 
• 3 tbsp light Vinaigrette or salad dressing of your choice
• 1/4 cup nuts (optional) 
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional) 

Instructions

1. Wash and dry bok choy. Slice or shred into bite-sized pieces.
2. In a large serving bowl, stir in the chopped bok choy with a mix of fresh vegetables and nuts of your choice.
3. Drizzle with light vinaigrette or dressing and toss to coat. Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving.

How Long To Cook Bok Choy?

Mastering bok choy is way easier than it seems. This crunchy and leafy vegetable will fit into any busy weeknight meal.

Let's dive into the various ways one can cook it and basic timing for each to get that perfect tender-crisp every time.

• Stir-frying: Get that wok sizzling! Throw in the bok choy stalks first and let them cook for 2-3 minutes. Then, add the leaves for a quick 1-2 minute finish. The whole procedure takes just 3-5 minutes.
• Steaming: For a healthier alternative, steam your bok choy for 4-5 minutes. You'll know it's ready when the stalks yield to a fork and the leaves wilt slightly.
• Sautéing: Heat up your saucepan and throw in some pungent garlic or shallots. Add the bok choy and cook for 4-5 minutes until the stalks soften and leaves wilt.
• Boiling: Need a quick veggie fix? Boil bok choy for a mere 2-3 minutes. Remember to drain it immediately to maintain that perfect crunch.
• Grilling: Fire up the barbecue! Grill each side for 2-3 minutes, aiming for those beautiful char marks. Total cooking time is 4-6 minutes.
• Braising: For a richer flavor, try braising. Brown the bok choy first, then let it simmer in your favorite broth for 10-15 minutes until tender.
• Raw: In a hurry? Bok choy doesn't always need cooking. Slice it thin and toss it into salads for a fresh, crisp bite.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

These are some of the blunders to avoid for perfect bok choy preparation.

1. Overcooking

• Bok choy does not take very long to cook and can spoil easily by being overcooked. Boiling too long results in poor food color and nutrition as well.
• Be keen on time and should ensure that food is well cooked. Aim for a tender texture while retaining some crispness.

2. Not Drying the Bok Choy

• Excess moisture can induce bok choy to steam instead of frying or sautéing, resulting in a soggy texture and oil splatters.
• Thoroughly rinse and dry bok choy before cooking. Employ a clean towel or paper towel to extract excess water.

3. Cooking All Parts Together

• The stalks and leaves of bok choy cook at different rates. Cooking them together can lead to uneven doneness.
• Cook the stalks first if you’re stir-frying or sautéing, as they take longer to become tender. Add the leaves later to avoid overcooking them.

4. Using High Heat Without Monitoring

• High heat can burn bok choy in a very short time, especially when the pan is crowded.
• Medium-high heat would do the trick. Make sure the pan isn't crowded. Stir frequently for even cooking.

5. Not Seasoning/Aromatics

• Bok choy is light in flavor and does really well with a bit of extra seasoning or aromatics. Just plainly cooking this vegetable will make for a tasteless dish.
• Pump up flavor using some ingredients such as garlic, ginger, soy sauce, or sesame oil. You can add a little vinegar and some sesame seeds or nuts for that added flavor.

How To Store Bok Choy

Wrap in a damp paper towel or cloth. This maintains it at just the proper moisture without getting too wet. Then place this wrapped bok choy in an unsealed plastic bag.

The plastic bag would keep the humidity high with partial air circulation going on. Then store your wrapped bok choy in your refrigerator's crisper drawer.

This drawer is aimed to hold vegetables fresh for longer, as it is built to hold higher humidity levels than other parts of the fridge.

Keep your bok choy distant from fruits like apples and bananas that release ethylene gas. These fruits ripen and age your bok choy faster, hence shortening its life span.

Do not wash your bok choy before storing it. The extra moisture will lead to quicker spoilage. You should only do this when you use it. Your bok choy will remain fresh for at least a week if stored correctly.

Ideas To Serve Bok Choy

Bok choy comes to the dinner table crunchy with a soft, mild taste. This Chinese cabbage has been very versatile for its tender leaves and crunchy stalks make it go through stir-fries, soups, and side dishes, among others.

There are so many ways one could consider using bok choy in your meal; below is how bok choy is consumed.

1. Flavorful Stir-fry

Sautéed bok choy is well enjoyed as a vegetable dish alongside one’s preferred stir-fry meal. You can also add greens to proteins like chicken, beef, tofu, and shrimp. Serve over rice or noodles.

2. Asian-Style Soup

You can add the super vegetable to a bowl of hot and flavorful soup. It goes well with broth-based soups like miso soup or ramen, where nutrition gets a crunchy addition.

3. Roasted Side

You can have roasted bok choy as a side dish, savory and wonderful with grilled meats or fish.

4. Grilled Veggies

Combine bok choy in a mixture of grilled vegetables. It provides this unusual flavor and texture when grilled alongside some bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms.

5. Healthy Breakfast

For the breakfast fans, top your bok choy with a sunny-side-up egg for a perfect yolky finish.

6. Rice

Finish off your plate with a scoop of fluffy quinoa or some steamed rice. These grains soak in any extra sauce and fill out your meal a little more.

Alternatively, you can stir-fry diced bok choy into some fried rice for more texture and extra nutrition. It goes well with vegetables, eggs, and any of your favorite proteins.