Sweet Bok Choy Stir Fry with Beef is easy and delicious! This dish features marinated sliced beef stir fried with ginger and tender sweet bok choy at high heat.
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What is Sweet Bok Choy?
Sweet bok choy 甜白菜 is a relatively new type of bok choy, and is actually more closely similar to napa cabbage than bok choy.
Bok choy and napa cabbage technically both belong to the same species - Brassica rapa! They're just two different types of subspecies.
One of the differences between Bok Choy type veggies and Napa Cabbage is that bok choy do not form heads and Napa Cabbage type veggies do form heads.
What this means is that Napa Cabbage wraps around in to a ball like shape at the top - like regular green cabbage (which btw, is actually in a different species - Brassica oleracea). Bok choy's leaves do not do this and have leafy blades that flow freely at the top.
So where does Sweet Bok Choy actually fall in all this? Sweet bok choy actually does form heads - so it is more similar to napa cabbage than it is with bok choy.
In fact the first time we bought Sweet Bok Choy it was because we were making hot pot which we always have napa cabbage, and the sweet bok choy looked more fresh than the napa cabbage that day - so we bought it as substitute.
You might be wondering why it is called Sweet "bok choy" if it's more similar to Napa cabbage. This is because of linguistics.
The words Bok Choy (Cantonese) or Bai Cai (Mandarin) directly translate to "White Vegetable" (some bok choys are white such as the Baby White Stem Bok Choy). Often times called Xiao Bai Cai 小白菜 or "little bok choy".
What is Napa Cabbage called? Da Bai Cai 大白菜 aka "large bok choy"! So really it is also called a bok choy in Mandarin!
Now it should make more sense why Sweet bok choy 甜白菜 is called a 'bok choy' though its more similar to Napa Cabbage.
Napa Cabbage vs. Sweet Bok Choy
Sweet bok choy has more tender leaves than napa cabbage so it cooks a little faster. The taste is very similar, but sweet bok choy has a more earthy flavor similar to bok choy that napa cabbage does not have as much.
Substitute for Sweet Bok Choy
If you didn't read all about Sweet Bok Choy, the one takeaway is that it's very similar to napa cabbage. So if you cant' find any Sweet Bok Choy - feel free to substitute with napa cabbage!
How to Stir Fry Sweet Bok Choy with Beef (Step by Step)
First, gather your ingredients:
- ½ lb beef, thinly sliced
- Marinade:
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ lb Sweet Bok Choy, cut in to 1-2 inch pieces
- 2 tablespoon cooking oil
- ½ tablespoon ginger, sliced
- 2 stalks green onions, cut in to 1 inch length
Combine beef and marinade/sauce ingredients in a large bowl or zip lock bag. If you are about to cook it, let it marinade at the very least 15-30 minutes. If you are making this ahead, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes before cooking.
If you haven't already, you can use this time to cut Sweet Bok Choy in to about 1 inch x 2 inch slices. Usually this entails slicing once lengthwise, and then slicing in to 1 inch long width wise.
In a large nonstick cooking pan, heat cooking oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add ginger, and let it cook for about 30 seconds.
Add beef, and stir fry until mostly browned. Remove the beef from cooking pan and set aside. Try to keep as much of the oil/sauce in the pan.
If the cooking pan is dry, add some cooking oil. Add sweet bok choy to pan. Stir fry for about 5 minutes or until leaves have started to soften.
Add beef back in to to cooking pan, and also add scallions. Stir fry everything for about 1-2 minutes or until beef is cooked thoroughly and sweet bok choy is tender.
Remove from heat and serve!
Storage
If you have leftovers, let the stir fry cool completely before storing. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Because the beef is marinated and the sweet bok choy gives off moisture as it sits, it may release a bit of liquid in the container - that's totally normal.
Reheating
Stovetop (best method):
Add a splash of water or broth to a pan and reheat over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring until warmed through. This keeps the beef tender and prevents the veggies from overcooking.
Microwave:
Heat in a microwave-safe dish in 30-second increments, stirring between each, until hot. Avoid overheating to keep the beef from toughening.
FAQ
Can I use regular bok choy instead of sweet bok choy?
Yes! Baby bok choy, Shanghai bok choy, or even standard bok choy all work well. Cooking time may vary slightly since sweet bok choy is more tender.
Can I substitute napa cabbage?
Absolutely - napa cabbage is actually the closest substitute since sweet bok choy is technically more similar to napa than to bok choy. Just slice into bite-sized pieces and cook the same way.
What cut of beef works best?
Flank steak, sirloin, or any thin-sliced beef for stir frying works great. If slicing at home, cut against the grain for the most tender texture.
Can I make this dish ahead?
You can prep the beef and marinade up to 24 hours ahead. For the veggies, slice them same-day for best freshness. Stir-fry just before serving for best texture.
How do I prevent the beef from getting tough?
• Slice thin
• Marinate at least 15-30 minutes
• Cook over high heat
• Avoid overcooking when you add it back in at the end
Sweet Bok Choy Stir Fry with Beef Recipe
Sweet Bok Choy Stir Fry with Beef is a quick, easy, and flavorful dish featuring tender marinated beef, ginger, and sweet bok choy. A delicious Asian-inspired stir fry that comes together fast and pairs perfectly with rice.
Ingredients
- ½ lb beef, thinly sliced
- ½ lb sweet bok choy, cut in to 1-2 inch pieces
- 2 tablespoon cooking oil
- ½ tablespoon ginger, sliced
- 2 stalks green onions, cut in to 1 inch length
Marinade:
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Combine beef with the marinade ingredients in a bowl or zip-top bag. Marinate for 15–30 minutes (or refrigerate up to 24 hours).
- Heat 2 tablespoon of cooking oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add ginger and cook for about 30 seconds.
- Add marinated beef and stir fry until mostly browned. Remove beef from the pan and set aside, leaving as much oil/sauce in the pan as possible.
- If the pan is dry, add a little more oil. Add sweet bok choy and stir fry for 5 minutes, or until the leaves begin to soften.
- Return beef to the pan, add green onions, and stir fry for 1–2 minutes until beef is cooked through and bok choy is tender.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately!
Notes
- If you can’t find sweet bok choy (甜白菜), substitute napa cabbage — it’s the closest match in texture and flavor.
- For extra flavor, add a splash of soy sauce or a drizzle of sesame oil at the end.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 261Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 541mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 17g
The nutrition information for this recipe is an approximate total per serving. Please double check the nutrition information for your exact ingredients and brands for more precise nutrition information. Keep in mind that if there is a marinade, often times not all the ingredients will be consumed.
More Delicious Beef Stir Fry Recipes!
If you love quick and flavorful beef stir fry dishes, here are more easy recipes you'll enjoy:
- Beef Yu Choy Stir Fry
Marinated beef cooked with fresh yu choy (choy sum) for a classic Chinese-style veggie and protein stir fry. - Beef & Vegetables Stir Fry
Tender beef stir fried with baby corn, asparagus, and carrots in a savory sauce. Easy, colorful, and packed with veggies. - Beef and Onion Stir Fry
A simple and comforting classic featuring tender beef and sweet onions. Perfect with a bowl of rice. - Beef Cucumber Stir Fry
Juicy sliced beef stir fried with crunchy cucumber and garlic. Light, refreshing, and ready in under 25 minutes.
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