Chinese Broccoli Stir Fry with Garlic

Chinese Broccoli is a popular type of vegetable that can found in Asian cuisine. It's not hard to see why! It's a delicious veggie, and it's very easy to just stir fry with some garlic and serve as a delicious side! This recipe will show you the simplest way we like to make Chinese Broccoli Stir Fry with Garlic.

Jump to:

• What is Gai Lan?
• How to stir fry Chinese broccoli (Step by Step)
• FAQ
• Chinese Broccoli Stir Fry with Garlic Recipe
• More Delicious Chinese Vegetable Stir Fry Recipes!
• Pin for later!

What is Gai Lan?

If you've never had Gai Lan, it's also known as Chinese Broccoli or Chinese Kale! In Chinese, there's also several dialects or spellings - so it's also known as Jie-Lan and Kai-Lan too.

Whatever it is called, it's a very delicious leafy green veggie and pretty common in Chinese food.

Fun fact! You may have had a veggie called broccolini before. Well, broccolini is actually a hybrid between broccoli and gai lan!

Also, if you want to learn more about various types of Chinese veggies - I wrote an article about them here! There's bok choy, chinese mustard greens, chinese broccoli, red amaranth and more!

How to stir fry Chinese broccoli (Step by Step)

First gather your ingredients:

• 1 lb Chinese broccoli (aka gai lan)
• 3-5 cloves of garlic, smashed
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil of choice
• Salt, as desired
• Optional: A splash of soy sauce for extra savory flavor

Cut the Chinese broccoli into 1 to 2 inch sections, and keep the stem section separate from the leafy section.

Smash your garlic - I like to do this by using a large bladed knife, cover garlic cloves with paper towel, and just smash the flat side of the knife down a few times. If you do this before peeling, it actually makes the peeling process even easier as the garlic will pop out a little, and then you just remove the peel/skin as needed.

In a large cooking pan or wok, add oil and smashed garlic, and cook on medium high heat for a minute.

Add the stems to the pan / work first. Stir fry for a minute. The stems take a little longer to cook so that's why we are cooking them first.

Now, add the leaves and stir fry for another 2 minutes or until all of the Chinese broccoli is tender and bright green.

Season with salt (and soy sauce, if using). Remove from heat and serve immediately.

FAQ

What is Gai Lan?
Gai Lan, also known as Chinese Broccoli or Chinese Kale, is a leafy green with thick stems and flat leaves. It's slightly bitter, earthy, and delicious when stir fried with garlic.

Is Gai Lan the same as Broccolini?
Not quite! Broccolini is actually a hybrid of broccoli and gai lan. They look similar, but gai lan has broader leaves and a stronger, more earthy flavor.

Where can I buy Chinese Broccoli?
You'll usually find it at Asian grocery stores or large markets with an international produce section. Look for fresh, crisp stems and vibrant green leaves.

Can I substitute with another veggie?
Yes! Broccolini or regular broccoli can be used if you can't find gai lan. The flavor won't be exactly the same, but it's still delicious stir fried with garlic.

How do I store leftovers?
Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat quickly in a hot pan to keep the greens from getting too soft.

More Delicious Chinese Vegetable Stir Fry Recipes!

These easy stir fry veggie dishes make perfect veggie side dishes!

• Stir Fry Water Spinach with Garlic - Tender, garlicky greens with a savory umami kick. Quick, bold, and perfect with rice.
• Stir Fry A Choy (Taiwanese Lettuce) - A quick and easy dish made often in Taiwanese households. Tender a choy leaves stir fried with garlic.
• Stir Fry Luffa Gourd (Si Gua, Silk Melon) - A light, nutritious dish stir fried with dried shrimp for savory depth.
• Stir Fry Sweet Potato Leaves - A popular Chinese and Taiwanese veggie stir fried with garlic and optionally fermented bean curd.

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