6 Ways to Cook Bok Choy—Including Steaming, Grilling, and More

Bok choy, a variety of Chinese cabbage, features tender, leafy greens and crisp, celery-like stalks, making it a popular ingredient in Chinese cuisine. It’s great in stir-fries but also works wonderfully as a standalone vegetable side dish for any main meal. Just like leeks, bok choy can be quite gritty, so it’s important to wash each leaf carefully before cooking. Typically, we cut bok choy in half lengthwise to ensure it’s completely grit-free. Halving the bok choy also helps it cook faster and absorb flavors more efficiently. With its mild, grassy flavor, bok choy pairs well with bold ingredients like garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, and chili flakes. Below, you'll find six methods to cook bok choy, each offering unique benefits.

How to Roast Bok Choy

Roasted bok choy makes a fantastic addition to your sheet pan meals; it cooks in just 10 minutes, making it a quick and easy side for dishes like glazed salmon. The high heat results in crispy leaves and tender stalks.

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees while you wash and halve the bok choy.
2. Arrange the bok choy on a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt.
3. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the stalks are tender.

How to Steam Bok Choy

For a simple and fresh way to prepare bok choy, steam it by simmering some water. While you won't get any crispy edges, the result is tender, juicy greens—perfect when you're craving a light, flavorful dish.

1. Bring a saucepan of water to a simmer, then clean and halve the bok choy.
2. Place the bok choy in a steamer basket over the simmering water.
3. Steam for about 7 minutes until the stalks are tender.

How to Grill Bok Choy

Grilling bok choy may seem unusual, but it’s absolutely delicious. The direct heat cooks it quickly, creating beautiful grill marks, crispy leaves, and tender stalks. Once you try this method, you’ll want to grill all your greens.

1. Preheat your outdoor grill (or grill pan) over medium-high heat. While it's heating, wash and halve the bok choy.
2. Season the bok choy with salt and lightly oil the grill's surface.
3. Place the bok choy on the preheated grill, cut side down, and cook for about 3 minutes. Flip it over and cook for an additional 3 minutes.

How to Sauté Bok Choy

This stovetop method for bok choy is simple and dependable. It doesn’t require any special tools. We like to add garlic, ginger, or chili flakes to the oil at the start to infuse the bok choy with flavor. A splash of water and a quick steam ensures the bok choy cooks evenly throughout.

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat while you prepare the bok choy by cleaning it and slicing it in half lengthwise.
2. Sprinkle with salt and add the bok choy to the pan.
3. Cook for about 2 minutes, then pour in a few tablespoons of water, cover the pan, and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
4. Remove the lid and cook for a few more minutes until the stalks are tender and most of the liquid has evaporated.

How to Cook Bok Choy in the Instant Pot

For the fastest and easiest bok choy, turn to the Instant Pot. The high pressure setting will have your bok choy ready in under 5 minutes. You can also add some ginger, garlic, and chili flakes to the oil during the sauté phase for extra flavor.

1. Add 2 tablespoons of oil to the Instant Pot and press “Saute,” letting it cook for about 1 minute.
2. Season the bok choy with salt and add it to the Instant Pot along with a splash of water. Cook under high pressure for 3-4 minutes, or until the stalks are tender. Once done, release the pressure quickly.

How to Cook Bok Choy in the Air Fryer

Oven-roasting and air-frying produce similar results for bok choy, but air-frying is much quicker. So, if you’re short on time, the air fryer is your go-to. Both techniques char the leaves, making them crispy and frilly, while the stalks become tender yet maintain a satisfying crunch.

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees while you clean and slice the bok choy in half lengthwise.
2. Sprinkle with salt and place the bok choy in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
3. Cook for around 6 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the stalks are tender.