Chinese-Style Garlic Spinach (蒜蓉菠菜)

Name: Chinese-Style Garlic Spinach (蒜蓉菠菜)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: Serves 2–3
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 10–12 oz (280–340 g) spinach, washed (baby or mature); 2 Tbsp neutral oil (or 1 Tbsp neutral oil + 1 tsp toasted sesame oil); 4–6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced or minced; 1–2 tsp soy sauce, to taste; 1 Tbsp water (optional, helps steam); 1 tsp rice vinegar (optional, or a squeeze of lemon); Pinch of sugar (optional); Kosher salt, only if needed; Optional: pinch white pepper; Optional: chili oil, to finish

Jesse Wolf

A fast, restaurant-style spinach stir-fry that stays bright green and garlicky. The trick is a very hot pan, quick cooking, and adding soy sauce at the end so the spinach doesn’t turn dull or watery. It’s perfect as a weeknight side with rice, eggs, or any simple protein, and it adapts easily to baby spinach, mature bunch spinach, or Chinese greens.

quick
side dish
stir-fry
weeknight

10 min total · 5 min prep · 5 min cook

Serves 2–3

110 kcal · 3g protein · 4g carbs · 9g fat total

Wok or large skillet

Ingredients

Instructions

Prep

Wash and dry the spinach well. If using mature spinach, tear large leaves and (optionally) separate thicker stems from leaves so the stems get a brief head start.

Stir-fry

Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat until it’s very hot; you should see a faint shimmer when oil hits the pan.

Add the oil, swirl to coat, then add the garlic. Stir constantly for 10–20 seconds until very fragrant and just starting to turn pale gold (don’t let it brown).

Add spinach (stems first if separated, then leaves). Toss and stir vigorously. If the pan looks dry or the spinach isn’t collapsing, add 1 Tbsp water to help it steam.

Once the spinach is mostly wilted but still bright green (about 60–90 seconds total), drizzle in 1–2 tsp soy sauce (and a pinch of sugar if using). Toss 10–15 seconds to coat.

Turn off the heat. Add rice vinegar (and sesame oil/chili oil/white pepper if using). Taste and adjust: add a tiny pinch of salt only if it needs it.

Tip: The spinach is done when it’s fully wilted, glossy, and still vivid green. If it turns dark and slumps into a wet heap, it’s overcooked—use higher heat next time and shorten the cook.

Serve

Serve immediately with steamed rice, a fried egg, or alongside any simple protein.

Notes

For baby spinach, you can skip separating stems—just toss and cook quickly. For water spinach (ong choy) or amaranth, cut into 2–3 inch lengths; these greens release more liquid, so use very high heat and cook 30–60 seconds longer. Leftovers keep 2 days refrigerated but are best fresh; reheat quickly in a hot pan to avoid sogginess. If you like it punchier, add a teaspoon of grated ginger with the garlic.